Did you/do you play a musical instrument?

14kgirl

Or is there one you wish you could play? 

Did your parents "make" you take piano/violin/etc. lessons?  Or did you get to choose?

BlueRidge8

Played the flute in middle school when it was "cool"

Stopped in high school because it was no longer "cool"

Can still play a wee bit. I wish I could play a banjo or fiddle (see avatar)

MissNikki007

I used to play the clarinet. Yeah, I was/am a total nerd.

CoffeeBeen

I wouldn't say my parents "made" me take lessons, but they did enroll me before I was old enough to know otherwise.  I started playing piano at 5 or 6, I thought it was just something people did - like going to school or camp. 

In high school I got too cool and asked to quit, so they cancelled my lessons.  They never forced us to take lessons - which led to a lot of starting and quitting things.  I wish I'd kept playing.

mom2pottamus

My parents thought I was too irresponsible to have an instrument to take care of.  I showed them, self taught myself "Silent Night" on my neighbors piano.

myself1nme

I started on Alto Sax and switched to Flute after a year because my mom wouldn't buy me reeds and I never had money for them.  Plus I hated lugging that thing around.  In HS we had a boat load of flutes, so I switched to Tenor Sax.  I was never very good, but I enjoyed playing.  I was never forced to be in band, but my mom was in it and told me how much she enjoyed it which swayed my decision.

I wish I knew how to play guitar and piano.

KJmashup

I played percussion in junior high.

Nowadays, I'm messing around with computers as musical instruments. I'd also like to DJ. 

14kgirl

Pfft:

BostonKisses2:

Yes.  I'm a music teacher, so technically I can play all of the string instruments and the majority of the woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments (especially those that a beginner would play).  My main instruments are bass trombone (that was my performance major), I sing (soprano 1 - it was my performance minor), violin, handbells, and baritone/euphonium.  I can find my way around a piano, and I also play flute somewhat decently.

I wasn't forced to take any lessons, but it was encouraged - my family is musical, and it's important to them.  I started piano at age 4 because I wanted to play, started ringing bells in 2nd grade, started violin in 3rd grade, and tenor trombone in 4th grade.

I didn't know you were a music teacher. Cool!

Agreed!  Very cool.

 

adoubleu12

BostonKisses2:

Yes.  I'm a music teacher, so technically I can play all of the string instruments and the majority of the woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments (especially those that a beginner would play).  My main instruments are bass trombone (that was my performance major), I sing (soprano 1 - it was my performance minor), violin, handbells, and baritone/euphonium.  I can find my way around a piano, and I also play flute somewhat decently.

I wasn't forced to take any lessons, but it was encouraged - my family is musical, and it's important to them.  I started piano at age 4 because I wanted to play, started ringing bells in 2nd grade, started violin in 3rd grade, and tenor trombone in 4th grade.

I envy you!  Music Ed was my major before I had to drop out (when I got too pregnant/knew I couldn't do it with twinfants).   I have about 2 years left, and do plan to go back someday!  

OP:  My main instrument in High School was the Clarinet.  I also played the Tenor Sax in Jazz band (Which was my favorite).  I took piano lessons for about 6 years, but I never really got good because I hated to practice.  

I mainly sing, my major had an emphasis in voice, Soprano.  I miss it so much... 

ETA spelling 

Marc's Mrs.

I started taking piano lessons when I was 5.  I played percussion in band, both JH and HS.  I majored in music too so, like BostonKisses, I had to learn different instruments for my major.  I learned trumpet, trombone, clarinet, tenor sax, flute and tuba.  I've always wanted to play the guitar though.

Lessons weren't forced on me as a kid but were encouraged.  I started singing in public when I was 4.  I was accompanying groups on the piano by the time I was in the 5th grade.

14kgirl

myself1nme:

I started on Alto Sax and switched to Flute after a year because my mom wouldn't buy me reeds and I never had money for them.  Plus I hated lugging that thing around.  In HS we had a boat load of flutes, so I switched to Tenor Sax.  I was never very good, but I enjoyed playing.  I was never forced to be in band, but my mom was in it and told me how much she enjoyed it which swayed my decision.

I wish I knew how to play guitar and piano.

I also started on Alto Sax and switched to Tenor Sax (but in middle school, when I joined Jazz Band).  I quit when I started HS.  I kind of wish I had kept up with it.

I also wish I had learned piano.  I can pluck out a tune but nothing more.

scoutkate

I've never taken music lessons.  I wish I could play the mandolin, though.

14kgirl

bump burp

Ms5586

I chose to play clarinet in 4th grade.  I played it through 6th grade, then went for the bass clarinet from 7th and 8th grade, quit before high school.

I really wish I had taken piano lessons.  I still want them.

ktshoff

I was forced to take piano for 8 years.  The results?  Only being able to play "Jingle Bells" and The Chariot's of Fire Theme.  Oh yea, I got talent!

LoCarb

Clarinet (I chose) until HS when it was no longer considered cool.

I took a few piano lessons (forced) as a child and now as an adult wish I continued.

FrickandFrack

I took piano lessons and played for quite a while.  For band in elementary or wherever, I took trombone lessons and then the flute.  Neither lasted very long.

Angela814

I started playing the trumpet in middle school and still play in a community band today. DD1 would like to do piano lessons, so I think we're going to start this year or next. Our elementary school starts a musical instrument in 5th grade, so I'll encourage her to choose something then too.

14kgirl

ktshoff:

I was forced to take piano for 8 years.  The results?  Only being able to play "Jingle Bells" and The Chariot's of Fire Theme.  Oh yea, I got talent!

 LOL.  My friend taught me the beginning piano chords to "Home Sweet Home" by Motley Crue in the 80's.  I thought I was sooo cool to bust that out at a house party.

Jen&Len

Piano...like all the other asians!

smerka

I played viola and trumpet and sucked at both.  In ninth grade I switched to French horn.  I played through high school and college (marching band and concert band) and would be playing in a community band, but I can't find one.

ThePolishHammer

Piano and guitar.

Wish I played violin.  

zeptattoo

Violin, Percussion and trumpet.