Journey Through Musical Instruments: A Personal Story

Embarking on a musical journey requires dedication, passion, and sometimes a bit of family tradition. This story explores my personal experiences with various musical instruments, from my early days with a tonnette to my current love for the clarinet and bassoon. Along the way, I've played several instruments and found my passion through time.

The Early Days: Tonnette and Piano

Even before I started school, my sister and I were introduced to music through our father's gift of tonnettes, which are essentially recorders. We learned to play a few simple tunes on these early instruments. Shortly after, I embarked on piano lessons, which laid the foundation for my musical education.

The Early Beginning: Piano and Clarinet

In 5th grade, I was fortunate to receive a clarinet from my father. Notably, this was a Buffet Evette Schaeffer, a high-quality wooden clarinet. After some time with the clarinet, I discovered the saxophone, which I played in the school jazz band, while occasionally playing the flute to learn "Color My World."

The Senior Year and Beyond: Bassoon and Career

As a senior in high school, I switched to the bassoon, after our bassoonist graduated. I continued playing the bassoon throughout college and have been a member of the local symphony orchestra.

The Present: Love for Clarinet and Bassoon

Today, I play the clarinet I received in 5th grade, which I still cherish for its quality and its place in Dixieland music. I also enjoy playing it in church. Additionally, I recently returned from performing a role in the theatrical production of "Oklahoma!", which was my first professional performance in over a decade, making me a professional musician once more.

Current Musical Ventures

Currently, I continue to explore other instruments, including the harmonica. My harmonica journey began in 1967, and I've been playing for almost 56 years now. While I feel I have the skills, I still have a lot to learn. I also play with a group of talented musicians, mostly for folk, bluegrass, and old-timey music. In addition to the harmonica, I can play ukulele and guitar, and recently received a mountain dulcimer as a gift, which I hope to master.

Conclusion

My journey through musical instruments has been a rich and fulfilling experience. From the tonnette to the harmonica, each instrument has contributed to my musical journey, teaching me the value of regular practice and the joy of playing with others. Whether solo or in a group, music continues to be a significant part of my life.