Why did you stop playing a musical instrument?

1. 94

   nifwlseirffposted 11 years ago

   Why did you stop playing a musical instrument?
   
   If you have previously learned an instrument, but have stopped playing - why did you stop? Do you miss it? What could inspire you to pick it back up?
   
   

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2. 83

   annartposted 11 years ago

   I tried learning the piano when I was about 10/12.  My mother was a gifted player so I guess I wanted to be the same and probably didn't really appreciate the hard work involved.  However, I was willing to have a go but the teacher was sooooo.. boring!  Those were the days when you just learnt scales and chords and traditional little ditties at the first stage - nothing modern for the times.  So I gave up as I didn't want to waste my parents' money either.
   I would like to be able to play as that ability opens up other fields and social avenues; however, my daughter took up some instruments at school and my granddaughter now plays the guitar well, so I get vicarious enjoyment!  Not sure that I would have been as good as my mother as she had a great 'feel' for the music and superb expression through the piano so I have no desire to start again.  I took up my father's hobbies of writing and photography and am content with that.

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3. 0

   Team Leaderposted 11 years ago

   Hello nifwlseirff,
   
   I tried to pick up guitar playing three times in my life. The first time I was a teenager, I practiced dilligently but when I sat in the class my mind just went blank, so I gave up. The second and third time round I was very enthusiastic again but as my ex partner was a guitar hero he always started showing me things that he deemed easy but which were impossible for me. Every time I hit this wall I gave up again. I guess at the end of the day guitar playing just was not my thing because usually when I really get into something I am like a terrier...fearless and relentless.
   
   Your 'Team Leader'

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4. 67

   equineposted 11 years ago

   I spent my entire childhood learning to play the violin. I was very good and swore I would never quit.  I played into college and joined the university orchestra.  But as things go busier, I found that my time outside of my job was quite limited.  I found that if I wanted to be serious about anything I needed to dedicate my time to one hobby. I chose horses as that has always been my dream.

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5. 38

   edhanposted 11 years ago

   I have tried learning piano for a year but stop thereafter. I find myself having too many difficulties to overcome as I am not talented. I do believe it takes one to have the talent to be able to play piano. So, now I rather prefer to listen to my daughter playing the piano instead.

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6. 67

   sarahmooseposted 11 years ago

   I used to play drums, but couldn't afford my own kit at home, so had to give up :-(

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7. 0

   Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

   I was enrolled in the high school band class. My family could not afford to buy me an instrument, so I had to play the school-supplied baritone. Besides being an unexciting instrument, I could not read the small music books because and I was lacking in any talent whatsoever. By mid-term, I was pulled from that class and put in a study hall.

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8. 71

   jennzieposted 11 years ago

   When I was in elementary school I had piano lessons which were taught by a family friend. I think I just started to lose interest and stopped going. I have still played on and off since then (from my home), though it's been months since I last was on the piano.
   
   I kind of wish I had continued the lessons so I could have advanced my skills and learned to play more songs.

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9. 92

   Bedbugabscondposted 11 years ago

   I was in marching band, when I graduated I stopped playing. I tried joining community bands, but life got complex and there was little time to play. I hope, one day I will get to join a band again. (I played the flute).

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10. 61

    Tracy K.posted 11 years ago

    Oh wow! I played the flute during middle school, high school and my first year in college. In college, I played for the first time in jazz band and didn't think that I did very well - that's why I quit. But lately, I've really been considering picking it up again. The bug started when I substitued at a middle school for a band class. A student needed help learning to play and the class instructor asked me to help her. Every since, I've wanted to go back to the flute but my time and money has been an issue.

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11. 69

    hobbynobposted 11 years ago

    My children love watching me play the flute, which I used to play competitively but completely stopped by the end of high school. My duet partner now tours the world playing the flute, of which I'll admit I'm a bit jealous now. I cannot play the same way now, but it's amazing how much I do remember after drilling all those scales. Watching their eyes light up to see me make this "magic" music; that was inspiration enough for me. Maybe they'll want to learn an instrument themselves, which really is a gift in itself. Not every child develops a love for classical music, which is a shame I think.

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12. 97

    Thomas Swanposted 11 years ago

    I tried to learn guitar once, but the guitar strings kept hurting my fingers, and the guitar was also very loud. If it had been quieter and less painful, I probably would have become a pro. I love acoustic guitar music and had the time to learn it. I probably just bought the wrong guitar, but once you've invested in one, you try to persevere... ultimately until you lose patience.

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13. 59

    Mritzert1posted 11 years ago

    I played the saxophone for years, but when I graduated high school, I stopped playing. Once in awhile, I pick it back up again. I'm not entirely sure why I stopped playing? I think part of the reason was the hassle of dragging it out, putting it together, getting the reed situated... I do miss it and definitely wish I had kept it up. There are times when I consider getting back into it and possibly giving lessons to kids in grade school kids. Right now, I'm really involved in musical theater and because I played the saxophone all through school, I can sight-read music with ease. I think that has been the biggest benefit for me.

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14. 60

    MellyMooposted 11 years ago

    I started playing the piano when i was 10. My dad kept wanting me to play keyboard but i insisted on piano because i could put my emotions into it. I played at various concerts that my teacher chose a couple of her students for, aswell as end of year concerts for family. I had to give it away half way thru grade 5 classical as i was playing tennis, badminton, clarinet&had my school exams. Lately i have been thinking of playing again as i do miss it. I want to buy a piano soon

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15. 92

    Victoria Anneposted 11 years ago

    I played the flute daily from age 9 to 16. I had a terrible band teacher in high school who was extremely rude and played favorites. After I got passed over for first flute and for the competition orchestra (even though I had the most experience and was one of the better players) I quit. I still play my flute every once in a while, maybe once a month or so. I do miss it and if I ever have the time I want to get back to playing regularly. I certainly don't miss the constant pain in my hands and locked up finger joints though.

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16. 58

    BChild75posted 10 years ago

    I had played clarinet in Middle School a short time before needing braces to correct my teeth and than my instructor made me drop, being the reed could agrivate my braces.

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