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I'm learning to play the flute and fife
In third grade I had a battery of psychological tests to figure out what was wrong with me that was causing me to get such random grades. The results were something like "You're bored. And, by the way, you should try playing a musical instrument."
I guess I did some brief recorder lessons, which I can hardly remember.
Then fifth through seventh grade I did violin lessons at my public school. Because I thought playing the fiddle would be awesome. I guess I quit due to utter lack fo joy. The violin is an amazing instrument, how can you fail to make that fun for a kid? I still deeply need to play the fiddle some day, but I got myself one a number of years ago, and that thing is hard.
I've since made fairly brief attempts at the electronic keyboard / piano, and electric guitar. Both of which I wasn't a huge fan of at least in part because I was expected to play multiple notes at once.
Two weeks ago I had this conversation regarding rock climbing in a beautiful spot:
Him: I'd hire two people to make this a complete set - one old man smoking a pipe, and one other person to play a fife as I danced along the holds.
Me: I could totally talk friends into doing this.
Him: You have very good friends.
Me: Yes.
And then I developed an overwhelming urge to play the fife. Problem was, I couldn't figure out which key I wanted. Since they're generally six hole instruments pretty bad at playing keys they aren't specifically designed for.
And then (December third?) Zeph mentioned she had a very nice (western concert) flute she wasn't planning to use anymore, that she was willing to let me borrow. Which seemed perfect - capable of all keys (=fully chromatic?), and should translate well to any fife I ended up picking.
Yesterday I received my Yamaha "fife". I say "fife" because some people argue it's more of an open holed piccolo, because it has eight holes (not six), and is fully chromatic(?). Not exactly what I was looking for, but apparently a bizarre combination of a very good instrument, very durable, and $7! Also, way more portable than a flute. It was designed for kids planning to eventually play the flute. Fingering is identical in C major. I also ordered The Fife Book by Liz Goodwin, designed specifically for this instrument.
Today I played it in the shower. Some of the holes were prone to getting clogged with water. Last night, I played it in bed as I was going to sleep. I hope to eventually jam on a mountain top with some similar instruments and small drums. I need to make a belt sheath for it, possibly out of the pouch it came with.
It apparently has a problematic F sharp.
I think I'd like to eventually get a fife in the key of D (Possibly making one, or this), because that's apparently good for playing with guitars, banjos, and fiddles. And for Irish folk music.
For now, I'm tearing through The Fife Book.
I need to figure out how to learn some music theory.
I guess I did some brief recorder lessons, which I can hardly remember.
Then fifth through seventh grade I did violin lessons at my public school. Because I thought playing the fiddle would be awesome. I guess I quit due to utter lack fo joy. The violin is an amazing instrument, how can you fail to make that fun for a kid? I still deeply need to play the fiddle some day, but I got myself one a number of years ago, and that thing is hard.
I've since made fairly brief attempts at the electronic keyboard / piano, and electric guitar. Both of which I wasn't a huge fan of at least in part because I was expected to play multiple notes at once.
Two weeks ago I had this conversation regarding rock climbing in a beautiful spot:
Him: I'd hire two people to make this a complete set - one old man smoking a pipe, and one other person to play a fife as I danced along the holds.
Me: I could totally talk friends into doing this.
Him: You have very good friends.
Me: Yes.
And then I developed an overwhelming urge to play the fife. Problem was, I couldn't figure out which key I wanted. Since they're generally six hole instruments pretty bad at playing keys they aren't specifically designed for.
And then (December third?) Zeph mentioned she had a very nice (western concert) flute she wasn't planning to use anymore, that she was willing to let me borrow. Which seemed perfect - capable of all keys (=fully chromatic?), and should translate well to any fife I ended up picking.
Yesterday I received my Yamaha "fife". I say "fife" because some people argue it's more of an open holed piccolo, because it has eight holes (not six), and is fully chromatic(?). Not exactly what I was looking for, but apparently a bizarre combination of a very good instrument, very durable, and $7! Also, way more portable than a flute. It was designed for kids planning to eventually play the flute. Fingering is identical in C major. I also ordered The Fife Book by Liz Goodwin, designed specifically for this instrument.
Today I played it in the shower. Some of the holes were prone to getting clogged with water. Last night, I played it in bed as I was going to sleep. I hope to eventually jam on a mountain top with some similar instruments and small drums. I need to make a belt sheath for it, possibly out of the pouch it came with.
It apparently has a problematic F sharp.
I think I'd like to eventually get a fife in the key of D (Possibly making one, or this), because that's apparently good for playing with guitars, banjos, and fiddles. And for Irish folk music.
For now, I'm tearing through The Fife Book.
I need to figure out how to learn some music theory.
no subject
decided on yamaha rottenberg recorders :)
good stuff.
i'm trying to muddle through violin. slowly.
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