I took piano lessons for one year (around age 5) and gave it up, like most kids. Then I taught myself how to play piano from a correspondence course at around 13. Played well enough to enjoy some of the simple Beethoven pieces and some old standards, but never considered myself a musician because I couldn't play by ear! (I understand now that people who play by ear and those who read music are very often in awe of the other group).

My husband was a professional musician (bass player in the folk-rock band Clean Living) for several years and had been a folkie on guitar at coffee houses during college. I was so intimidated by his musical talents that I never dreamed I could be a musician, too. He always wanted a banjo, to make up for the Ludwig tenor banjo his father had given him at 14 that he hocked for a Martin guitar. About 5 or 6 years ago, the kids and I gave him a 5-string for Father's Day. I decided that while he was struggling on the new banjo, I could make a fool of myself by taking up the guitar. It worked. We now do lots of duets on banjo and guitar, both at home and performing out. I'm also rhythm guitarist in an occasional band of ours.

Two years after guitar, I took up the fiddle. That's the instrument I wish I had learned as a child, because it really sparks my soul. If I had to give up all of our 32 instruments except one, that would be the last to go! I find that I can play by ear on guitar and fiddle and can also pick up classical pieces (if they're not too hard) on fiddle because I can read the treble clef from piano.

P.S. He's still looking for that old Ludwig tenor, but is surgically attached to the three 5-strings he owns.