What is one talent that you have that you would like to share with the board? A skill/sport/hobby/game that you're particularly good at. And if you're someone who has been here a long time maybe something that nobody knows yet.
I can play the piano. I taught piano as a side gig for several years.
Awesome that you're a piano player, fourlemons! I am a big fan of George Winston's music...have you ever heard any of his piano playing?
I've already shared mine, but I'm a guitar player. I've been playing for over 40 years... it's a very passionate hobby of mine (Unfortunately for me, I have a horrible singing voice...but, I also think that may be why I still have the passion for guitar...I try to make my guitar "sing," if that makes any sense).
I also love golf, but I'm a better guitar player than I am a golfer (which isn't saying a whole lot). I made a change in my grip a few months ago and have really been hitting the ball well at the driving range (and the one time I've played since then...end of July), so I'm hoping that this finally sticks!
Not a talent, but along the lines of getting to know me better... I'm also married and I have 3 boys (ages 16, 14, and 12). My oldest runs cross-country & plays soccer in the Fall, runs indoor track in the Winter, and runs outdoor track in the Spring. I just got back from his cross-country meet this morning and he has a soccer game this evening. I don't know how he does it! π My middle son started playing trombone with his high-school marching band, so "Football Friday Night" is on my schedule again for the next 4 years (hopefully). He's also a piano player...he's been taking lessons for almost 6 years now and he's really getting good! πΉ My youngest son is 12 and loves outer space and math. But I've turned into "that parent" who's always on the go going to their kids' extracurricular activities. That's why my posting is so erratic here! π
It's nice to meet you! I was not familiar with George Winston so I just went and listened to a couple of minutes and the music was beautiful. Very soothing. I'll have to check out more.
I am recently retired (that's the reason I have plenty of time to be on this board) so I'm a little ahead of you with the kids. My two sons are grown and recently graduated from college and out of the house. One of mine did marching band in high school, playing the trumpet, so I remember those Friday Night Football games well. π
What kind of guitar do you play? I've always wanted to learn how to play the bass guitar and even considered taking lessons in my retirement but haven't had the nerve to. Not sure many bands are looking for a 50-something year old woman to be their bassist. π
George Winston is my all-time favorite piano player. Unfortunately, he passed away last Summer, but a posthumous recording of his playing was recently released. Who are some of your favorite piano players and your favorite pieces/songs to play?
Congratulations on your retirement! I'm so jealous! π I think we're roughly the same age, based on what I've seen in your posts so far (I really liked and responded to your VCR post that you made). And congratulations on your two boys as well. That is really a great accomplishment to raise your kids and have them graduate from college. I'm at the stage where I'm starting to freak out a bit over the thought of my boys going to college and wondering how in the world we're going to pay for it! But it sounds like you're making a great transition into post-retirement life... that's awesome!
I play mostly acoustic and nylon-string guitars. I'd like to get another electric guitar one day, but maybe after I retire! π Believe it or not, I've never played a bass guitar (I'm left-handed and I just never got a chance to play one). However, I would highly recommend that you "go for it" with respect to learning bass guitar. That would be a really nice hobby for you in your retirement years and, with your piano background, I bet you would pick it up fairly quickly.
Nice chatting with you also and hope you continue to post here! Have a great afternoon!
Thank you for the encouragement on the bass guitar! As far as music I like to listen to, it's not so much piano music as rock and roll, R&B and pop. A little bit of country. I admittedly don't listen to that much piano music. While I think I've already shown I'm not as knowledgeable about movies as most people here π¬π, I do have a pretty deep knowledge bank when it comes to popular music and love to listen to it. As far as playing the piano I'd say my three favorite songs are Solfeggietto by CPE Bach (because it's fast! π), Northern Song by Schumann and Prelude in E Minor by Chopin- the last two because of how expressive they are. My piano teacher had me playing almost 100% classical music. I had to beg to even play something like The Entertainer.
I understand how college can be daunting when your kids are in high school. You will find I'm sure though that you enjoy watching them spread their wings. π Every phase has something new to celebrate and enjoy, (and worry about π), too.
That's awesome about your piano playing and music tastes! My son can play Beethoven's "Fur Elise" and I just love it when he plays that. I can play several classical pieces on the guitar, but I definitely am not a "classical guitarist" because my technique is too lousy! π
Anyway, I have to start getting ready for my son's soccer game tonight. Again, great chatting with you and have a great afternoon!
I currently play college football...at the NAIA level, but I am a starter. We played our first game of the season last week and will play again today in a few hours.
I also play guitar but I'm only intermediate at that.
I make up songs on the fly on a frequent basis. They border on the ridiculous but as far as my songs go, they're supposed to. π I like to try to make my husband laugh with them.
Which do you prefer, guitar or piano? I used to be decent on piano, but I havenβt played in a couple of years, so Iβm rusty now. Guitar, though β I still play. I was pretty good, played for about 15 years, then burned out and stepped away from it for a decade. But Iβve gotten back into it in the last few years, and itβs been great.
Currently I can only play piano. I have interest in learning to play the bass guitar but not sure I'll ever get up the nerve to do it. That's why it's a goal for me rather than reality.
That's really cool, and two activities I've always found interesting. I used to play pool frequently in my early 20s and enjoyed it a lot. In fact, my husband and I played pool on our first date after a movie. I've thought more than once since then that I miss it.
And I love to watch ice skating, but I was never any good at it myself. I enjoyed trying, though. π