I chose piano when I was really little, begging my parents to buy me one, which they did, when I was about 9 years old. It's the same piano I have in my living room right now....

I chose classical guitar in high school because everybody plays guitar and because playing classical guitar didn't hurt your fingers if you didn't have time to build callouses, and somebody was selling their decent Yamaha for $100 so I bought it. I learned the basic chords, which I still can find to this very day.

I chose clarinet in high school because the teacher said they already had too many flute players.

I chose flute after high school, because the sound lured me in like a hungry fish, and by studying fast and furiously, I was able to enter a university music programme as a flute major.

I chose recorder and studied with Alison Melville (of Tafelmusik) after I had to quit flute (after 20 years of playing) due to a serious jaw disorder. Recorder was beneficial to my condition.

I chose fretted dulcimer when I realized that it's really hard to play recorder as a folk instrument with a mixed ensemble of other folk instruments, after taking a few beginner lessons with the amazing Lorraine Hammond.

I chose celtic harp when the strong desire to tune more than 4 strings overtook me. I study with the amazing Sharlene Wallace, if ever we are able to find time in our schedules that co-ordinate. My next lesson is the first week of September.

I chose guitar when the strong desire to tune fewer strings for the bang overtook me. My friend Jeff introduced me to DADGAD. I like DADGAD and DADGAD likes me. I am borrowing a friend's steel-string guitar, and am ever on the lookout for a perfect and beautiful guitar for under $5 Canadian.

I also play the CD player and the radio quite well.

~black walnut