John Eaton painting
It's that time of year... time for me to start asking Rick and the kids what they are wishing for most. I can grant wishes. I can make magic. It's been my job as The Mom for years now, and I think I do it pretty well. But his year, I have a short wish list of my own. Really short. I want a violin...
I know what you're thinking... Kim's gone 'round the bend... too many propane fumes perhaps... But no, that's not it. I really want a violin. And I want to learn to play it. And no, I do not have any previous history with playing a violin. I've just always loved it, and started to want to play it back when I was about 18, when I heard a young woman in San Francisco playing the most beautiful jazz violin, with some of my musician friends. I fell in love. Not with a musician, but with the music.
Ask Rick. Whenever I hear a violin, I get all squishy and dreamy. Sometimes I weep from the joy of the feel of that music in my bones. It goes that deep. I read somewhere that the sound of a violin is "resonant" with the human body. I believe it.
When I was a kid, I wanted to play piano. So my parents bought me a guitar, I guess thinking I wouldn't notice the difference. I took lessons from a nice Hawaiian man named Valentine Hao... for years... and I never was very good. But then, my heart wasn't in it, so I still have hope of possessing some bit of musical talent. I guess there's only one way to find out.
I know it will be hard. I know I'll sound like total crap for a very long time. I know my dog might run away, and Rick might sweetly ask me to practice in the studio... or out on the gorge bridge... I know it will take years to become even tolerable. But what the hell. If I start now, maybe in 20 years I'll play something for you by the campfire, some summer evening. I'll only be 70. And, oh yeah... I want to play Gypsy Violin. That wild twirling music that makes you jump off your rock and shake your bones in the firelight...
It's a big wish. But if not now, when? What's your dream? Maybe we can all get started on them together... hmmm??? Sure, we'll keep making the magic happen for the ones we love, but we have to put on our own oxygen masks first...
11 comments:
Jim wants you to know he has an electric violin! He also has a banjo, a piano, a guitar, an electric guitar, and we had bongos for Dylan for a while! we understand musical yearning.
Jim was in a group as a kid: the name was "Five of a Kind" because the drum set already had 5 aces painted on the bass drum! :)
He also played the organ (a big Hammond) and had a light blue satin shirt and everyone else in the group wore black satin shirts. Big collars and long puffy sleeves! Pirate shirts!
i hope you get your wish for xmas... and in 20 years i look forward to your video post of you playing your violen! good luck!
oh ya, i LOVE that painting you have for this post as well... very pretty and whimsical...
Hope you get your wish Kim ! Just thought you'd like to read this, it was posted today ~ 'Spaceship Earth is now passing though a belt of dust and debris. As this burns up in our atmosphere, sparks fly across the sky. The cause is a comet. Not "Holmes", in Perseus, that can still be seen in the North east but another regular visitor called 'Tempel Tuttle'. We are travelling through the remains of its tail, despite the fact that it is not around right now. Comets create many celestial surprises yet scientists know little about them. Mystics though, have long been sure that to see a comet or shooting star is to be offered a wonderful wish.' ...seems appropriate !
Woow!!!! Incredible painting!! I love it. Thank you so much for sharing with us... :)
I believe it is never too late for anything Kim. Go for it! I am sure it won't take 20 years to play something nice but it is okey even it will... :)
Well, my wish list is a very short one too. I just want to be a mother next year. :) Fingers crossed!
I'll be looking forward to hear your music. Good luck!
I have just recently began Dulcimer lesson. Just turned 59 I have met some amazing encridible talented people. We went to the Smokey Mtns. last weekend for Dulcimer retreat. You go girl....
Nick, my son, the lead guitarist in a college rock band, said he also wants a violin for christmas. The only condition: He teach his mother after he learns himself!! I played violin in grade 6 and regret not staying with it. I know exactly how you feel! Never too hold!!
Did I say, "Never too hold?" I guess it's time to put on my glasses. You know I meant, "NEVER TOO OLD!!!!"
You will love playing the violin. When you put it on your shoulder/collar bone and stroke the bow across the string, the vibrations move through your body. Heaven. There is no other instrument that can do this for and with you. Developing one’s ear is work for adults and is much like learning a language. Just be aware that cheap instruments sound bad so people who have squeaky violins get discouraged (as do their mates). Good violins do not squeak or screech. Soon, you will be declaring, “play on”.
I feel the VERY same about the cello! I absolutely melt at cello music... lucky for me, my 9 year old son has decided to try the cello this year in music class in school. As for me, I'm really just too busy making beads and working, and LIVING with three kids still at home to try and pick up ANOTHER cool thing.... but I absolutely KNOW what you mean, and it is so cool to learn new things all the time. I'm also a celtic music nut, and I'm thinking about learning the irish whistle just to annoy my family!!! I think the whistle is small enough to tuck into my purse and play as I sit in the truck and wait to pick up and drop off kids at all their activities (and just odd enough to embaress them at the same time)
enjoy the violin!
is that a sign of getting old? HA ha .. i'm only kidding.. i knew what you meant!
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