Our Next Journal Question - Music Lessons

Mom was so musical and wanted all her children to experience the joy of music and so we all had to take some type of musical instrument lessons.  Dad is still musical as he loves to sing.  I'm thankful for parents who made us take music lessons.  What do you remember about lessons, practice, your teacher?

My first music lessons were at the piano when I was seven.  I remember Chris going with me but I don't remember if I started first or together with her.  I loved to play but always cried at lessons because I was so upset that I hadn't practiced more.  I wanted to please Mrs. Spear but I just couldn't seem to get it right.  She was always nice but for some reason I was always upset at lessons.  And Chris was always telling on me!  "Mom, Cindy cried again today." I only remember one recital at her house and don't remember if I played well or what I played.  I took from her for three years and then we couldn't afford it any more.  I was very upset because I wanted to play.  So I asked mom to teach me.  She was so busy with all of us kids that that wasn't gonna happen so she told me to get out the hymnal and play the soprano line of all the hymns.  I did.  When I was done I asked her what was next.  She said add the alto.  I did.  What's next Mom?  Add the tenor.  I did.. You guessed it..Next was add the bass line.  By the time I was finished playing the hymnal four times, adding another part each time, I could sightread just about anything she had in the house...which I did.  I loved to play and would sometimes play until midnight and then Mom would say keep playing! 

When I turned 16 and had a job I took lessons from Mrs. Spear for about three months and then quit because she had me playing for the High School choir with Miss Irwin.  I hated it!  I couldn't play loud enough and felt so intimidated so I stopped.  After High School and before college I took one summer with Mrs. Martin.  I loved that.  I took piano lessons in every placed we've lived until 2003 when my teacher moved from here and I couldn't find another.  Now in 2011 I've finally found another teacher and am excited to begin again as soon as my schedule clears.

Piano wasn't my only instrument.  I took violin for six years with Mr. Parsons until 11th grade...hated it.  I also started saxophone in fifth grade with Mr. Bittinger.  That was my love.  I practiced for hours at school or home.  I played two solos with the band and then decided to major in music at Evangel College.  No, sadly I don't play it any more.  I tried a couple years ago but my lips gave out and it was too much work to get back in shape so I'm playing the piano instead.

Music, what would life be like without it?  I can't imagine.  I'm so thankful that God created it for us to express ourselves and our worship to Him.

What was your experience?

New Journal Question - Dancing

Did you ever go to a dance?  Tell me about it.

Although dancing was not allowed when I was growing up, I was allowed to go to my Senior Dinner/Dance at Top of the World in Lake George.  I hated it.  I was sooooo bored.  My friends must have been too so we left and went some place else.

In college my roommate taught us how to do a line dance which I loved.  Now I would do a line dance again.  However, my aerobics classes were very much like dancing and I enjoyed most of them and got good exercise too!

What about you?