Sunday, August 21, 2011

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.

4 comments:

  1. I thought "The Flight of the Bumble Bee" would be a nice easy piece for you. Hee Hee. Now is the time for you to set down and start enjoying yourself at the piano and let your fomily enjoy your joy.

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  2. My mom said she could not comment on this blog, so I am going to paste what she emailed me:

    You NEVER had to be told to practice the piano. Even though Kim and Jill loved it they always had to be told.
    The music for Flight of The Bumblebee came from Kim to you at Christmas that year. I still remember watching you and thinking, it's a good thing she memorized that - she would never be able to turn the pages that fast.
    That's been one of the best piano's ever.
    Are you sure you weren't first chair? I would of sworn you were. (Mother's are like that, yea they are!)
    Love, mom

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  3. Well, I'm sorry I forgot that Kim gave me the music - THANKS, KIM! I still have that sheet music.

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