Catfish

I often do things that are very rare for a woman Morris, let alone a woman of my age. I do play other instruments. I started with piano when I was 5. I have been playing drums for about 25 years.

I struggle with music theory and after many years of struggling I still can't read music very well at all. I play by ear. It was always natural for me to work that way, and I excelled much quicker. end result would be that I would stop looking at the sheet music quickly, no matter what instrument I had in my hand.

My teacher is very switched on and knows what I am doing. She I careful to see that I try to lean to look at the music as well.

At least your cat listens. Mine run out of the room as soon as i pick the thing up. I don't play in a band ... I work with the 'women need to do things twice as well to get half the credit' thought process so I will want to get a lot better before I go out in public.

Thanks for the tips .. I am going to pick up a tripple C bore soon. It might sort out my smoking trumpet problems too.

Oh and i think I have that book (100 and 1 things to do with a dead cat).

tedh1951

Morris,

Get out into the community and impose yourself on some unsuspecting band. I can tell you that it a wonderful way of doing what you enjoy, and improving. Others with similar interests will
suck you along and stretch your skills. The local, major music store will have access to bands needing members, or perhaps your music tutor may know of others.

Other amateur musicians know how we struggle and so are never ever critical of your performance, playing in young people's bands is valuable particularly if you can provide transport to gigs and are prepared to muck in with a bit of work. Take a chance - give the missus and the cat a break.

tedh1951

Cat,

Go to the top of the home page and work through the "Search" menu. Use Aussie, beer, ITG etc (maybe even tedh1951) and you will get all kinds of hits - if you just use beer, you'll get about 500 posts. I'll be interested to see how you go - the website functions all work fairly well. If you want some amusement with respect to a very anal individual - search on VM - warning it is seriously, serious - although some Aussie sod has been in there gently taking the P.

Catfish

I agree with Ted Morris, you should take a chance and impose yourself onto the community. You have obviously been playing for some time and playing in public will stretch your skills (as with any instrument) .

I am still at the stage where I can make mistakes and sound like crap. I also have a habit of biting off more than I can chew. I spent months working out this 12 bar blues piece which is about 8 minutes long and mostly solo. It is a grade 6 piece and I am only in grade 3. My teacher almost fell over when I played it for her. No music , just a cheat sheet. Now she wants me to perform it at her end of year concert... I played it well on that day... some days I don't play it well at all. It is always very frustrating and humbling to know how far I have to go. But knowing I can't back out of the concert has put the pressure on for me to keep practicing.

administrator

Welcome fish!

stchasking

" I have been playing drums for about 25 years. I struggle with music theory and after many years of struggling I still can't read music very well at all."

Some drummers would be offended being accused of not reading music. The truth hurts them.

Decentplayer

Welcome to TM!!