Flight of the Bumblebee

In keeping with the musical theme of my family's blogs yesterday, I will tell you about the time I wanted to quit piano lessons. 

I started taking piano at the age of 8 from Mrs. Degenhart (sorry if this is spelled wrong) in Normal, IL.  It was just something my family did - take piano lessons.  I guess I liked playing, I never really thought about it until I got into Jr. High.  By then, we'd moved to Carmel, IN and I was taking lessons for $7 or $7.50 per 1/2 hour from a lady who was very strict, but also VERY good.  In 7th grade, I asked my folks if I could quit lessons.  Dad told me that I had to learn "Flight of the Bumblebee" before I could quit.  Somehow, I got the sheet music for this piece and talked my teacher into helping me learn it.  I did not tell her WHY I wanted to learn it, though.

Little did I know that I would fall in love with the runs on the keyboard and speed of this piece.  I mastered this piece as much as a 13 year old can master it and memorized it for my spring recital.  I loved playing this song and was pretty good at it if I do say so myself.  After the recital, I decided I really didn't want to quit.  I asked my parents if I could continue taking lessons and they said yes!  Thank goodness!  I continued taking lessons and learning "fast" pieces until 10th grade when I quit because of sports, band and after-school jobs.  I have the old, wonderful, memory-filled piano in my house now.  It's out of tune and not played nearly enough, but I love having it near me.  Maybe I'll start playing more and learn something new...or re-learn the pieces that brought me so much joy in my youth.