The Joys of Music

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a trumpeter. My parents paid for a very nice second-hand b-flat trumpet and music lessons. These private lessons were supported by free music instruction, and even band-camp by the wonderful school district in Kent, Ohio. In the Fall, we were in the "Rough Rider" marching band of Kent Roosevelt High School, and in the Winter we were in the beautifully named "Wind Symphony." 

My chromatic scale for the b-flat trumpet

I can't write any further without giving a few thank-yous to my elementary school music teacher, and band directors who spent their days patiently working with me, and a few other hooligans from the neighborhood, as I blasted my out-of-tune horn loudly. I hope they're enjoying a quiet retirement, and have seen an ear doctor. I must have done a lot of hearing damage! 

However, recently, I decided to pick-up the art of music again. I truly enjoy playing my trumpet, and decided to get a new one for myself. I ordered a silver lacquer b-flat trumpet from Yamaha; it was shipped from Busan, Korea of all places! But it was a great purchase for a truly perfect musical instrument. It came in perfect condition, both the valves and slide were oiled and greased when I pulled it out of the case. I barely had to tune it, before playing it. 

My Yamaha Trumpet

The problem was that I had pretty much completely forgot the music and fingerings. I could blow a C-natural or a B-flat note, but I don't remember even my basic scales form high school. I honestly can't believe I used to march around a football field and play songs like "Come Sail Away" by Styx from memory, with no music in front of me. What an achievement!        

A little tuner!

Anyway, I'm re-learning the trumpet. I slowly forgot the fingerings and music writing over-time, but I have confidence that I'll re-gain that knowledge. I've even re-memorized the Chromatic scale! And, what's really brilliant is the availability of sheet music and helpful apps on the Internet to assist novice musicians, like myself. I even got a beautiful little tuner on Amazon to make sure my sound is always perfect. 

Maybe, one day, I'll be in a Mariachi or a Mexican (or Tex-Mex) folk music band! I'd love to learn music from Glenn Miller (and his orchestra), and perhaps, I might get a BIG SMOOCH on the cheek form a lovely French woman! Ladies love the musicians ;)

But, of course, I'm kidding, I have a lot a practice to do before I can play in front of a crowd. When I hear professional, classical and jazz trumpeters, I'm stuck in awe of just how good they really are at the music, and just how much I'd need to do to master this craft of music.