I don't play any instrument

Subject: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 06:52 PM

and I'm neither proud or ashamed of that fact.

I don't sing professionally either (except for teaching children some traditional singing games or other recreational songs).

My main interest on Mudcat is children's playground rhymes, but I've been known to share comments on other topics :o). And I'm definitely learning about other topics from reading Mudcat threads.

**

I'm wondering how many other Mudcat members and regular guests don't sing professionally and don't play any music instruments.

Please sign in to this thread if you're in this category. And if you sign in, please share what Mudcat forum topics you are most interested in.

By no means is this a formal survey. I'm just curious and I'm guessing other people might also be interested in this.

Thanks, in advance, for your contribution to this thread.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Janie
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 10:10 PM

I don't play an instrument or sing professionally. Except for the Getaway, all my singing happens in the shower or to the moon late at night on the back porch.

Don't have a "most interested" list of forum topics. I post to a fair number of threads, and read or scan a whole lot more. Rarely post above the line, but lurk there a whole bunch, just to learn. Do the same thing below the line, but post much more there (probably too much.)

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:24 PM

I don't play an instrument and do not sing professionally, but I sing a lot, and almost always folk songs (actually almost always murder ballads but then, if nobody died, why write a song about it...).

I love this place. I found it when first discovering that with the Internet I could look up the words to all those songs I knew almost all the lyrics to - and here is where they almost always were.

I think I may have been the first person to post something completely non-musical, just to ask a community I cared about to discuss something I was worrying about... but I'm not sure you can blame the whole BS section on me.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:38 PM

Why not? Stand up and be proud of whatever it was you started! Martin Gibson would have been nothing without you -- to say nothing of inumberable others, both people and things.

(I play trumpet and futz around with a keyboard, but not much recently.)

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:45 PM

I feel hard done by. Excluded because I do play badly and sing loudly. My interests on the lists are however, eclectic.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 05:31 PM

Several (many?) years ago we had a thread asking "What Do You Play?"
I sort of flippantly wrote (and I think this is close) radio, phonograph, tape recorder and CD. I added that I was a great audience.

It is good to know I am not the only one here with a love of the music, but not the art to make it.


                      --------------------------

Rapaire--'Futz around' was one of my father's favorite phrases. While I don't know the etymology of the term, I always considered it a cross between 'fussing' and the similar sounding word for the big nasty. I haven't heard or seen the word for a long, long time. Thanks for the memory.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 05:44 PM

Well, I don't sing where anyone who is neither a close friend or VERY understanding can hear me, and the only instrument I sorta play is the bodhran (and it's status as an instrument is often a matter of discussion). I also share the varied talents of JotSC.

I read many more threads than I ever contribute to (and I'm sure that the issue of whether or not these are really contributions could also be a matter of discussion). As a student of history and an admitted pedant, I tend to barge in most often when people are misusing historical facts, deliberately or not.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: The Vulgar Boatman
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 06:16 PM

Just a thought or two -
There are many, many people who don't play an instrument or sing. Quite a lot of them are very well informed about whatever musical genre in which they take an interest. Professional musicians refer to them as "the audience" and get to eat because they turn up to gigs...

Reading more threads than you post to is a GOOD THING - without wishing to sound patronising, it implies (amongst other things) that you think before you speak.

Respect where it is due!

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: rich-joy
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:17 PM

Well Azizi, I'm afraid I do feel bad for not being able to play an instrument - but not enough to get off my backside and do the hard yards!! LOL! .... but if I did, I'd probably try Banjo!

Some times it seems like I'm the only one I know, who doesn't dabble with some kind of instrument .... sigh ..... (I did learn Piano for a couple of years at ages 7 and 8 - but nothing from that experience is now remembered!!)

I used to LOVE to sing, but nowadays, the numerous Heart meds I'm on have almost put paid to that ... and though I'm still technically a member of 2 a cappella harmony groups, my abilities are not what they were - which is rather depressing, to say the least.

As far as Mudcat threads go, I lurk a lot, but probably the more folk-oriented ones are my main interest and I post occasionally.


Cheers,
R-J
Down Under

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: frogprince
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 08:42 PM

Instrumentally, I can pick out a melody line,slowly with one finger on piano, for really difficult pieces like "The Water is Wide" or "Michael Row the Boat Ashore"; in fewer words, no playing ability whatever. I didn't pick up singing naturally at all as a kid, and was repeatedly admonished that I couldn't sing. In just the last few years I've gotten enough perspective to realize that, while I'll never be a performer, I'm not that bad with a song that I know well. I still freeze up to badly to sing a public solo that anyone would want to hear. I do sometimes feel a real measure of regret in that a couple of decent songs that I've written get heard only at the odd time when my wife has the opportunity to sing one for a few people.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Luthier2b
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 11:54 PM

I do not sing in public but I do play instruments.

I have spent too much time in the company of people that sing or play out of tune or consistantly poorly. I never want to be thought of as one of them.

I guess I am at peace with being the guy that does not lead anything but plays backup well (which I did at one time).

-- Eric

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 12:26 AM

I sing along with choruses - I can't hold a tune on my own (even here in the privacy of my living room) but if my singing friends hold a session, I'm always invited! I've been told by good singers that I have a pleasant singing voice & should sing, but I don't "should" & I intend to remain part of the chorus.

I have 2 instruments in my place - one of my bears has a miniature harmonica around his neck (the kind that can be played) & my 2 exquisite glass mushrooms are accompanied by a small beige plastic shaky mushroom. I have blown into the harmonica & accidentally shook the mushroom when I bought it from a musical instrument supplier.

sandra (voice in the chorus)

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 04:33 AM

First, I would recommend that anybody interested in music should learn an instrument. It doesn't take that much of an effort to reach a standard where you can accompany yourself - or others - singing/playing; secondly, learning to play an instrument will enhance your enjoyment and appreciation of music in a big way.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 05:01 AM

Tunesmith, I am in total awe of all You Lot who both play and sing - I mean Together - at the same time, like!!!! :~)


Cheers!
from the original "Can't-Chew-Gum-and-Walk-Too" being.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: sian, west wales
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 05:13 AM

I play a few instruments not very well, and I sing - but I feel no real need to do either outside my house. Occasionally I'll sing if I'm in the company of friends. I tend to think that this is the natural habitat of the folk song, so I'm content.

As my Mudcat posts suggest, my main interest is in the stories behind the songs, tunes and related traditions, and how they travel and evolve. I guess my secondary interest is in getting people away from their electronic lifestyles (says she, on her computer) and re-engaging with story and song.

Nice thread, Azizi. I get a lot out of reading the more technical and performance-related threads, but they don't resonate with me personally.

sian

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 05:46 AM

"learning to play an instrument will enhance your enjoyment and appreciation of music in a big way"

I sort of know where you're coming from, Tunesmith, and I'm sure you don't intend to be patronising, but I think the downside is the implication that those of us who, for a whole heap of reasons, can't play an instrument have a diminished enjoyment and appreciation of music. I personally have been moved, enchanted, flipped inside-out and transported to another dimension by some of wonderful music I have had the privilege of listening to over the years. It has quite literally changed my life for the better. None of us can hear through anyone's ears but their own or process sound in anyone's noddle but their own. That's why we al have differing tastes and experiences. You really can't put a value judgement on that, nor should anyone try.

I'm not ranting (honest!), but I've been told this a number of times over the years and it still doesn't ring true. I can't imagine anything that would make the absolute spine-tingling delight when I listen to, say, Robert Wyatt's "Rockbottom" or Shirley Collins' "Love, Death and the Lady" any greater. If my pleasure were to increase any more I might simply keel over under the boundless weight of it!

I can't make a film, either, but that doesn't stop me from being bowled over every time I watch "A Taste of Honey"...

So, neither proud nor ashamed, but deeply grateful to all those wonderful musicians who have made my world a brighter place.

I too read far more threads than I contribute to. I really miss Malcolm Douglas's posts - it's writing like that, and similar stuff from other generous sharers of their knowledge, that makes Mudcat for me. I'm also seriously trying to avoid the BS section as an early new year's resolution...

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 06:10 AM

As anyone who has heard me "sing" or "play" the washboard and kazoo, I'm definately in the same category, Azizi! However, I don't let it stop me trying! Although enthusiasm is no substitute for talent, there's no reason whay we shouldn't have fun joining in with tolerant friends! As ace guitarist Sonny Black (namedropping again, Roger) said to me only last week, as long as you enjoy yourself, that's the main thing.

And I enjoy threads about technical guitar & banjo things I don't understand and especially cherish lyric threads and hearing of Mudcatter meetings.

Rts

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 06:25 AM

Spleen Gringe: I like movies, too, but unlike you, I reckon I could make one! Why, because in the course of watching movies I have studied the great movie makers' techniques and thought a great deal about the processes involved in making movies. Now, the same thing is true about singing. I haven't any formal singing lessons but I have studied singers and thought about my singing. Learning to play an instrument does, however, take more of an initial effort - and a certain commitment and dedication - and a resolve to find the time to reach a particular standard.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Mo the caller
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 06:37 AM

I like that Roger. The idea that we can have fun with tolerant friends. I enjoy playing in sessions.
I learnt piano as a child, and was the one in the school recorder group who was always trying to find my place while the others played.

My main interest is dance, and dance calling.
But taking up the recorder again has increased my enjoyment of all the wonderful bands that play for dancing (and my ability to communicate with them).

But when I hear them I know that I don't play any instrument, and never will.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 07:22 AM

Tunesmith, if it's anywhere near as good as "Taste Of Honey" count me in for a ticket!

When I have the time, I will try to learn an instrument (there's a banjo with my name on it somewhere) but I'm not sure I would enhance anyone's enjoyment of music!

My own singing - despite ferociously listening to the work of singers I admire - still sounds like a malfunctioning dalek with a bad head cold and a staggeringly poor comprehension that there might be more than one note in any given song... and you should hear my six year old's impersonation of me!

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Gedi
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 08:25 AM

"My own singing - despite ferociously listening to the work of singers I admire - still sounds like a malfunctioning dalek with a bad head cold and a staggeringly poor comprehension that there might be more than one note in any given song... and you should hear my six year old's impersonation of me!"

Well now, I've heard you sing Spleen and I can tell you that its really not that bad. Practice makes perfect as the saying goes!

It's funny how you come across things isn't it; after attending a Morris Dance Out a few weeks ago a flyer was on my car windscreen on my return to it and on it was a quote which I think is very apppropriate...

" Use what talent you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those which sang the best" - Henry Van Dyke

cheers, Ged

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: GUEST,Billy Weeks
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 08:45 AM

Interesting that this thread should have been started by someone whose contributions to Mudcat I've enjoyed over the years. Like you Azizi, I don't play an instrument. I do sing, but only if no one is listening. Exception: I occasionally teach my grandchildren (5 and 9) a rude song because I delight in the way they can be simultaneously scandalised and helpless with laughter.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 08:50 AM

I'm not a guest. Somebody stood on my cookie.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 09:04 AM

If you sing you play an instrument it's called your voice.

I have friends with quite good voices who used to sing unaccompanied quite well but decided to learn to play an istrument in order to accompany themselves but didn't do it very well and consequently a good voice was lost. It takes excepional talent to do both so if you can do one or the other well stick with what you do best.

Joe Nicholson

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 10:05 AM

I've been singing mainly English Traditional songs, unaccompanied, for years. I enjoy it and, for me, singing represents a creative outlet and an opportunity to express my passion for English folk songs. Perhaps my proudest moment was when Fred Jordan told me that he had enjoyed listening to me sing.

Curiously, although I seem to be able to hold a tune on my own, I find it difficult to sing in tune with other people (I'm pretty convinced that I invariably sing flat in choruses); I just can't seem to relate what the others are doing to what I'm trying to do - does anyone else have this problem?

I would love to be able to accompany myself on an instrument - but playing an instrument has always seemed far too difficult. I suspect that if I put in hundreds of hours of practice I might eventually get there but I just don't appear to have any sort of natural 'flair' for it as some others seem to do.

On Mudcat I like the factual threads which give information about the origins of songs etc. (I too miss Malcolm Douglas). I also like the 'combative' threads - like the 'definitions' ones, for example. There's nothing like a good scrap - as long as it doesn't get too personal, of course. Some people seem to take an enormous amount of 'umbrage'about these and seem to get very upset if anyone challenges their opinions or disagrees with them - but that's the nature of a debate in a public forum. I've never been particularly upset by anything that I've read on Mudcat. I've sometimes been rendered a little weary by people who thoughtlessly spout received wisdom perhaps ( e.g."All music's folk music - ain't heard ho hoss ... etc., etc.) but nothing worse than that.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Azizi
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 10:12 AM

Thanks, Billy for your compliment. And thanks to all who have posted to this thread thus far.

**

While I'm neither proud nor ashamed of the fact that I don't play any instrument and don't sing professionally, I should have added that I greatly admire & respect those who play an instrument well. And I had a alot of admiration and respect for those who have professional singing voices that are aesthetically pleasing to me.

**

Tunesmith, I agree with your statement that "Learning to play an instrument does, however, take more of an initial effort - and a certain commitment and dedication - and a resolve to find the time to reach a particular standard".

I regret that I don't have the discipline to learn how to play a musical instrument.

Maybe that will be part of the package in my next life. :o)

But I think that "discipline" is something you work at and I choose not to expend the effort to do so-in that area anyway. :o)

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 10:16 AM

Shimrod said "Curiously, although I seem to be able to hold a tune on my own, I find it difficult to sing in tune with other people (I'm pretty convinced that I invariably sing flat in choruses); I just can't seem to relate what the others are doing to what I'm trying to do - does anyone else have this problem?"

I'm absolutely convinced I get the same thing (the bit about chorus singing anyway - not so sure about the bit about holding the tune on my own!). I get the same problem if I try to sing along to a record or an instrument.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Azizi
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 10:27 AM

And I had a alot of admiration and respect for those who have professional singing voices that are aesthetically pleasing to me.

Well, I think that's typo #1 in this thread for me (not counting the spelling of the word "alot"}. I meant to write is that I have a lot of admiration and respect for those who have professional singing voices that are aesthetically pleasing to me.

I'm not even going to try to define which types of voices I find aesthetically pleasing. I know them when I hear them.

But I wanna also say that I have a lot of respect and admiration for those people who have the discipline to use Mudcat's Preview feature, or write their posts in Word or NotePad before they post them on a thread. Obviously, I don't have that kind of discipline.

Believe it or not, I do try to proofread my posts, but obviously, I'm not very good that either. But that's another thing that I'm neither proud nor [very] ashamed about.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Marje
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 10:53 AM

When I started singing folk songs, I didn't play a folk-related instrument to any useful level, but then I had a serious illness and couldn't sing for months. I got really depressed about this - any singer will know how awful it feels not to be able to sing when you're used to doing it all the time.

So I decided to learn the melodeon. I thought that if I couldn't sing, I could at least get on with learning something new, and eventually I might be able to play in sessions.

Quite quickly, I learned to play the melodeon to a passable level and was soon joining in enthusiastically at sessions. In time, my voice returned to normal, and I kept the promise I'd made to myself during my illness - that I would make the most of it and sing at every opportunity. So now I still do both, and get twice as much out of my music as I used to.

I don't think anyone should feel apologetic or guilty about not singing or not playing - after all, many or most singers don't play an instrument, and most instrumentalists don't sing much, if at all. And we all like to have an appreciative audience, not composed entirely of people who are busy playing, or awaiting their turn to perform.

I would, however, encourage everyone to have a go at a new form of music-making, be it singing or playing a new type of instrument. Even if your efforts are only for your own private enjoyment and are never good enough to play or sing "out" (and I have several other instruments I play at this beginners' level), every attempt teaches you something about how music works, and trains your ear and your brain in ways which will enhance your other musical skills as well as your enjoyment of other people's music making.

Marje

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Franz S.
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 11:05 AM

To Azizi, from whom I have learned much over the years: Thank you.

I first picked up a banjo just about 50 years ago, and I've acquired several other instruments since then, but the closest I ever got to playing in public was to sit on a porch or in the back of a farmer's market booth and play quietly to myself. Or occasionally stand at the edge of a jam and chord along. I would like to be able to play better on those instruments, but I find that I enjoy being part of the singing audience than a member of the jam. I have no desire to be a performer.

So I play for my own enjoyment in my own home. That's good enough for me. Perhaps I lack the discipline, but as long as I'm not inconveniencing or annoying others it shouldn't matter.

I'm most interested in the song origin threads and in threads that connect with pieces of my own life. There have been many occasions when a thread has touched on some experience I've had and helped me to relive it, sometimes even share it.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Mrrzy
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 01:39 PM

I *have* sung in public - once - at a faculty talent show, the year it had been my new year's resolution to sing in public.

And yes, I can pick out the melody a note at a time on a piano, and I can play Mary Had A Little Lamb and Do Re Me on the Xylophone...

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Amos
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 01:49 PM

I think I can assure you that it is the number of times you actually pick up a guitar and play something--anything at all--that establishes the ability to play. I always encourage people to learn three or four chords and just struggle along until those are fairly natural. You'd be amazed how many tunes you willl be able to find inside those four chords. But it only comes with doing it many times. A hundred five-minute sessions is probably better than 10 fifty-minute sessions, which makes it easy when you can only grab sdmall slices of time.


A

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Joe_F
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 08:06 PM

I can sort of hack things out on the piano, but I seldom do so in company.

I am sometimes part of an audience, but convivial singing is the center of my musical life.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Booklynrose
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 11:37 AM

I love to sing, but cannot perform. My voice is not good, and I am not always right on key. I sing along on the chorus or sing at parties. The New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club (Folk Music Society of New York) has a policy of encouraging everyone to participate; our notion of folk music is that folks do it. (We also put on concerts by good singers).
Many of the people who sing traditional music a lot seem to have set aside the guitars that were ubiquitous in the 1960's to sing unaccompanied. At Champlain Valley last year the best performance (to my ears) was a workshop of unaccompanied songs by Colleen Cleveland and Lorraine Hammond. Lorraine is an accomplished instrumentalist, but she sings as well as Colleen, and this was a wonderful hour.
I do not have the kind of patience to learn to play an instrument. I used to kind of strum a guitar, but put it aside when I married a very good musician. Then I built a dulcimer. I spent hours working with the wood to get it just right, hours and hours going over it to perfect this and that. Once it was built, I started to learn to play it. I found that I just did not have the same persistence to learn to play it.
I also read more threads than I post to. I try not to spend too too much time on Mudcat. I look at threads about certain songs or people, or how to run a folk music club. I sometimes post on threads like this where I feel people understand and share experiences.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Stringsinger
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 01:32 PM

Azizi,

This is a great thread. What we know of folk music came from people who may not have had concert voices but sang for their own pleasure. If it wasn't for this, we would not have had a folk music revival here or other places. Many "informants" who were recorded by folklorists had average singing voices but this didn't in any way diminish their contribution to the legacy of what we call folk. Pete Seeger reminds us that a mother's lullaby is an important part of folk song.

If you decide that you want to express some musical ideas that you can't find now on an instrument, I suggest you work with a musical notation program and a MIDI keyboard through your computer. This is a logical step-by-step process that allows you to express what you hear inside your head. You might have to learn a little about reading music to work the notational program but with a regular sequencer, you can record notes in slo-mo using step-time recording. Also, with a notational program, you can learn to read music. it may seem overwhelming from the tech side but as you work with it you will
find there are logical steps to help you master it.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Azizi
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 03:23 PM

I confess that I started this thread as a play on words in that fine Mudcat tradition (following up on the threads titled "I play a bodhran and I'm proud", I play a banjo and I'm proud", I play a kazoo and I'm proud" and others).

Howeveer, I'm pleased to know that people took this thread seriously. I'm also pleasantly surprised to learn that there are more people than I thought there were in this forum who don't play any musical instruments and/or don't sing professionally.

And-since we're being serious-let me say for the record that I regret that I don't know how to read music much more than I regret that I don't know how to play a musical instrument. Yet-true confession time-I doubt that I have enough will power [maybe it's called "discipliine"] to remedy this gap in knowledge (the reading music gap) or to learn another way to write music like those that Stringsinger kindly shared in his post. Frankly (no pun on your name intended, Stringsinger), that information that you shared about music notational programs seems rather intimidating to me.

Also, for the sake of clarification in case it's needed in this discussion-I believe that there's a BIG difference between rettingt I don't know how to do read music or play a musical instrument, and being ashamed that I don't know how to do either of these two (admittedly) life enriching activities.

However, I continue to maintain that I'm still not proud and I'm still not ashamed. :o)

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Azizi
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 03:28 PM

Okay. I'm not counting the typos that I've made so in this thread. (I'm not counting any typos that anyone else made either).

But I feel compelled to explain that rettingt was supposed to be the word regretting.

Ah! I feel so much better after explaining that.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Azizi
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 03:36 PM

If it helps any, my excuse for my typos (including the one that I made while posting a correction to a typo) is that I have a lot on my mind.

It's not that my mind is empty. :o)

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 04:51 PM

Gee, and here I thought it was a Pittsburgism I hadn't heard before...some odd variation of retting, perhaps.

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Azizi
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 05:17 PM

LOL!

artbrooks, I take it you mean "Redd up"-To clean up, or tidy up.*

But-like George Washington-I can not tell a lie.

"rettingt" was a typo and not a new form of "redd up".

By the way, the colloquialisms associated with my adopted city are called "Pittsburghese", not "Pittsburgism".

**

*It just so happens that I don't use that phrase, but I know what it means. I found that online definition here although this
website says it means "light cleaning".

I think that's wrong. But what do I know. I don't even play a musical instrument, sing professionally, or read music. :o)

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Monique
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 08:21 PM

I don't play any instrument either, nor do I sing professionally. I only sang in a choir for 5 years sooooooooooome years ago. I used to sing a lot to and with my 1st graders, I'm interested in kids' stuff for obvious reasons. International kids' stuff because we're all human aren't we? I usually post on threads about French or Spanish because I feel I probably can help.
About learning music being middle age +... I notice it's easier and easier for me to make a midi from a tune I heard but I know I'll never be able to read a score and sing the tune the very same way I know I'll never be a ballet danser or young again! (about the latter, some people say it's just a state of mind but I tell you guys, it's also about the state of your joints!)

Subject: RE: I Don't Play Any Instrument
From: Rowan
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 12:58 AM

Good thread, Azizi.
And, even though I have sung and played professionally I don't anymore. But I occasionally drop a verse into a conversation with friends, like the retired fencing contractor I lunch with at the Men's Shed on Thursdays; I sang him the last verse of "Man of the earth" as a jest between friends.

But I enjoy reading the various things that bring 'catters together for a discussion. If the spirit moves you to sing or play, good for you. If it moves you to listen and appreciate, good for you. Like you, I don't read music but I'm thinking of getting one (or both) of my daughters to teach me. And don't believe Sandra's denials; she sings beautifully.

Cheers, Rowan