That looks really interesting. I had to look it up to see what the deal is -- Zimbabwean-style marimba. Very cool. Do you play piano at all? If so, that gives you a big head start with playing mallet percussion, as they are laid out just like a piano. Even if you're new to playing an instrument, I think it would be fun. My guess is, if you are in a reasonable-size city, there will be someone who gives lessons. Either at a music store, or through a local college or university, or even a good local casual player. I say go for it!

I've played French horn since I was 10 and stuck strictly with that until about ten years ago. At that point, the community groups I was in started having a glut of horns, so I moved around. I picked up trumpet, then euphonium/baritone. I also started playing percussion (there are NEVER enough percussion players in community groups, especially ones who can play mallets and timpani). While horn is still my main thing (principal horn in one regional wind ensemble, and I play in a brass quintet), I am now also the drummer for a big band and the timpanist for a community chamber orchestra. Who knew?

Now, I also have a cello sitting in the music room. DH got it for me for Christmas two years ago and I haven't taken the first lesson. My plan is to try to learn it over the next five years or so, so I have somewhere to land when I don't have enough lip left for brass and I am plum exhausted from hauling around percussion. (percussionists own trailers and V8 SUVs -- we're the first ones to the gig and the last ones out, and we're always a sweaty mess. That's why you never see us at the after parties, you silly, frail violinists).

Not much to show in the way of timpani playing in this clip (lots of rest counting for percussion in the orchestra), but here is part of a recent performance the orchestra did with a local chorus.

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra

Beautiful music, jakabedy! Thanks for sharing that. Really, really lovely. It must be a lot of fun, and very rewarding, to be a part of such a group.

Yes, I do play piano a bit. I took for a number of years (my mom is a professional pianist, so she gave me my start) - but it was years ago. Even so, I can still sit down and plunk out a few tunes from memory. I have inquired about adult marimba classes from the same teacher seen directing the group in the clip I posted. He and his wife (an elementary school music teacher) taught my niece what she knows. They teach all ages, and what I think is especially neat is that both kids and adults all play together in the various groups (beginner to advanced).

How did you learn to play the drums? I've always been interested in drumming/percussion. And a cello? Wow! I have a friend who plays the bass cello, and she's such a tiny little thing playing such a large instrument - but she handles it amazingly!

I have always loved (almost) all kinds of music and would love to more of a player and not simply a listener.

That is so COOOL! Those kids are having a blast! I would love to learn to play those! LOL

Wow, that just brought back sweet memories for me.

First let me say that My 2 year old son and I thoroughly enjoyed watching that. It is so awesome, and I think you should totally go for it.

The reason it brought back memories: when I was in junior high, the students who did not play traditional instruments were all placed in another music class. Our teacher Ms. Mae was jamaican and she taught us how to play the steel drums. I played a single lead drum. It was a full steel drum band with double leads, bass drums and all. We learned to play Stardust, Loch Lomand, When the Saints come Marching in and other traditional Caribbean music. It was so much fun, I wish I could have continued with it, but once junior high ended so did my steel drum career.

Well, the piano gets delivered tomorrow, and my first EVER lesson the week after. I've never had music lessons, so have to start from scratch, learning to read, etc. Always wanted to play, so now that I've finished my Ph.D at 76, figure its time for another challenge at 78. I'm really fortunate that there's a retired music prof nearby who's happy to teach adults, so keep tuned:>)

Leel, good luck with the piano! That is so great that you got your PhD at age 76! Do you mind my asking what field it is in?

Now that looks like a lot of fun! I would enjoy sitting through that kind of recital. They're really good.

Jen, I had to come back and say I think learning to play an instrument later in life is a great idea. I think doing things that keep our minds active as we get older is important. I didn't do anything musically, but I have taken art classes-

AJ....since when is "Mid-30's" "Later in life"....?!

;-)

Faron

Nancybee:
My doctorate was in medical humanities and my dissertation topic was concierge medicine.

Leel, you're my new hero! (although I'd like to know what your take on concierge medicine is...)

Jen, go for it. Steel drums make me miss living in Brooklyn, a block away from Eastern Parkway, where the mighty, mighty Caribbean festival would happen every Labor Day, and the trucks with the musicians on them would come down our street after they finished their parade route, still drumming and having fun even though they weren't in front of an audience anymore. What a joyous sound!

(DH's and my secret dream is to get a high-end Yamaha electronic drum kit for maybe solstice this year? We want to play drums in the worst way...and we're both 50 now. So we'll be drumming right along with you : ))

Flyleft, Barb posted a thread with answers to some of your questions about her cottage industry. I found it on the second page today.

Here is a link that might be useful: For Flyleft

Oh yes! I took piano lessons as a kid and quit after a year. In college I took private piano lessons from a piano major at the School of Music, on a baby grand piano!

I took lessons for about a year, never got all that good but good enough to entertain myself and play a duo with a friend who played violin. Actually he was the fiddle player with Michael Martin Murphy!

I can play Bach's Minuete II by memory. And Jingle Bells. lol

I ended up buying this cheapo, ugly, upright piano (we had wood floors back then and the acoustics were great!) and played my little heart out, knowing I was lousy, but I didn't care. I had a blast just doing it for me!

We no longer have the piano, but I sure did have fun.

Thanks so much for sharing! Sounds like between us, we might be able to put together a halfway-decent sounding little band! ;-)

I looked into marimba lessons, but there were presently none being offered for adults. So then I happened upon a performance by a local drum group and fell in love. I'm now taking djembe (African hand drum) lessons and having an absolute blast! I'm learning in a small group of other adults and we actually sit around and jam and sound pretty darn good! It's not as easy as it looks and I've got much to learn ... still need to buy my own djembe (have been using one of the instructor's), and after my first lesson, my hands felt positively arthritic. Anyway, if anyone is interested, here's a clip of an absolutely amazing djembe player, doin' his thing. If you watch it all the way through, you'll see what I mean.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ibrahim Camara