Greer writes:
I'm one of those boomers you referred to in your last article. My kids are grown up, and I want something to play other than the stereo. I've got a big voice and enjoy belting it out to recordings, but don't ask my friends and neighbors what they think. I want to learn an instrument that's like singing, but won't take years to learn. Suggestions? (Nothing plastic, please.)
Just when the slide whistle was sounding really good! You're not going to believe this coincidence: I took up a new instrument two weeks ago. Clearly, this is going to get personal, but before we dive into my New Toy Story, let's go shopping for yours.
Your ban on plastic means you want an instrument of substance: wood, metal or both. As a self-avowed "belter," you're already a lung player, so pick a wind instrument.
It would help to know what instruments already move you. Ultimately, it's the love of the sound that will keep you wanting to learn.
But in the absence of that information, I do have a prime candidate. It's plastic in the student models, but it's definitely a "wood"-wind. It won't humiliate you like a violin, and it won't scare your friends and neighbors. It is forgiving. It is beautiful. It is the clarinet.
Open the case, and smell the glorious hint of cork grease, which, if you ever ate paste in kindergarten, will make you feel right at home.
Assemble the tubes of African grenadilla wood. Fasten the natural reed to the mouthpiece. Are you ready?
FINDING YOUR 'WINGS'
This is where I set out to inspire you: A few weeks ago, KING-FM was at the University District Street Fair. It was a blast, because Mills Music supplied real musical instruments for anyone to try.
For some reason, the brass instruments were calling to me.
I saw the trumpet; I picked it up. I made horrific, dying-weasel sounds.
I saw the trombone; I picked it up. Now elephants were dying. The indulgent kindness of neighboring exhibitors couldn't last much longer.
But I was stuck like Goldilocks: The trumpet was too hot; the trombone, too cold.
Then it hit me. I knew the "just-right" instrument, because I'd been dreaming about it! In fact, it suddenly came back to me that I'd had no fewer than three dreams already this year in which I was a Flugelhorn virtuoso.
I'd wake up excited, rushing to find my horn and play the tunes before I forgot them, only to realize I was sans Flugelhorn - a pitiable state.
Flügel means "wing" in German, and I wanted to get my wings on this instrument. I've always loved its dark, noble sound but never thought I might play it.
The answer came at work the next day. Our program director at KING-FM just happens to be a horn player. He also collects instruments. He had a Flugelhorn.
The next day I was playing, and I haven't stopped. I taught myself My Funny Valentine.
JOIN THE BAND
Here's the fun part, Greer: When you take up a new instrument, you join a community. Musicians-in-hiding sprout from the sidewalk when you carry a hard instrument case around. They can tell just from the shape of the case.
Then we start talking chops and valves, and we're off. A new vocabulary, a new physics of sound, a new color of music.
So grab your clarinet, if that's what you end up getting.
On Wednesday, July 4, KING-FM is playing great American orchestras - time to join the band!
Sean MacLean can be heard weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. on king.org and 98.1 KING-FM. He can be reached at SeanM@King.org.
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