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| Buy Just What She Wants HERE |
By Barbara
Elsborg
Or not if you’re listening to me play the violin
or the piano. My mother longed for me to show some talent on the piano. I had
lessons for years and I honestly don’t think I improved at all. I refused to do
exams because I already had to do those in speech and drama – yes, she was one
of those sorts of mothers. Eventually I pleaded too much school work and she
let me stop.
But listening to others play or sing, yes, that
brings me joy. I can’t write while I listen. I get too distracted but I run and
listen and that’s just perfect. The music gives me ideas for stories, for
titles and makes me happy.
So what makes you happy?
One lucky commentator wins an ecopy of one of my
1NS stories – your choice – Just What She Wants or On The Right Track.
www.barbaraelsborg.com
www.barbaraelsborg.blogspot.com
My dad did carpentry work to pay a paino teacher. My sister went on to take lessons at a prestigous music school as a teen while I managed chopsticks. I'm glad to learn music inspires you, because I'd thought writing one exceptional story after another was thanks to a contract with the devil. I mean seriously, it's gotta be close to 30, 5 star novels published, and a dozen or more novellas. Just What She Wants is right up there with the rest.
ReplyDeleteYou sweetie, Arlene. I sit here as I type staring at the piano a couple of feet away and think - no, I won't play it today. It's been months!
DeleteI played the French horn for two years in high school. When I first started, my mom complained the cows behind our house were going to stampede. Now, I'd just as soon listen to someone else play it. I'm looking forward to seeing what instruments my kids will bring home. Though, the recorder was not fun at all.
ReplyDeleteNo need to enter me, as I already have both books. All the best, Barbara! :)
Thanks, Jessica. Ah stampeding cows - reminds of a time son played the electric guitar VERY LOUD in the garage- when he opened the door, the cows in the field just across the road were standing in a line listening. His biggest audience!
DeleteMusic makes me happy. I love finding new music every chance I get. When I was in school I listened to the same CD for each final and I still swear it's why I was Valedictorian of a summer course program I took. Thank you 3 Doors Down. ;)
ReplyDeletesmurfettev AT gmail DOT com
LOL Sheri - I have music I just can't let go of. I added three CDs to my running tracks and darn it, if I don't fast forward over them to get back to my favorites. I wish it made me run faster - but no, it doesn't.
DeleteBarb, my daughter is learning by ear, as well. She likes it and I'm not eager to make it a chore where she has to practice as she's in school band (trombone) this year, as well. For now she's having a ball and I'm teacher her a few basics, like hand positions and such.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Great post.
I actually think it's great learning by ear. I could never do it. I was a plodder and always reaching for the music. There was just one song I could play a couple of minutes of - off by heart and it was the one I always played if I saw a piano in a shop! I can't remember what it's called - but I can still play it. (off to piano to check - yes)Daughter got to the highest grade on the violin by practising and hard work. Son always enjoyed music more - except for the piano but I think that was his teacher's fault - she was a task master with a virtual whip. He plays guitar and sax now - he tried the trumpet but didn't like it. Husband can't play a thing, and can't sing in tune.
DeleteI listen to music a lot when I write. Sometimes it's a specific song for a specific scene, which I will listen to on a loop until the scene is written, or it's just a general style to help me capture the emotions I want. Helps me focus, too.
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to learn violin...
I really admire you for being able to listen AND write. I just can't. My mind wanders... I'm tempted to get the violin out of the closet and see if I still can't play it - maybe there will have been some miracle and I'll sound good.
DeleteMusic and reading make me happy, outside of people. I prefer to listen to music. I can focus better with music on while I work on homework. I also can clean faster if I have music on. Music is how I can express my feelings when there are no words. Songs have meaning to me, even if it is not the intended meaning of the artist. I have playlists for my moods.
ReplyDeletecarrollfamily02@gmail.com
That's interesting - I suppose songs HAVE to mean something different to those who listen. The artist wrote them from a point in his-her life - an outpouring of their feelings and emotions, and that we can pick them up and make them ours is a tribute to the quality of the music. I wish I had a better memory for songs because I hear them on the radio, think - ooh I'll buy that - then I've forgotten the name or the first line before I remember I wanted to write it down.
DeleteThat's an awesome post ! I can't say my mom ever made me do any of that stuff unless I wanted to which was gymnastics...until I got too involved in school and boys lol. I love to listen to music while i'm writing or driving and want to tune out my kids in the back.
ReplyDeleteMy mum made me do ballroom dancing too. I went twice and then I used to pretend to go and spend the money on sweets. I got into a lot of trouble for that. The annoying thing is -that's one of the things I really wish I could do - mind you, that's probably only because of Strictly!
DeleteI never played an instrument, but my brother taught himself the guitar and he was pretty good.
ReplyDeleteDuring rest for a soccer injury my daughter took guitar lessons, and she was a natural at it, but the injury healed and the next season she was back on the soccer pitch. The guitar was tossed in the closet :(
Music and sport! No time for both - not if you're playing the instrument. Sad thing is that everything we or the kids do, you have to practice. I hate repeating anything - I was doomed.
DeleteI played the piano, too, when I was young and had lessons. Not my thing. But I love music, all kinds...except for classical or orchestras.
ReplyDeleteI have music on around me all day long, mainly country. I can have country music on in the background and not really be distracted by it. But there are times when a certain line catches my attention. I get a lot of story ideas or title ideas from country music.
Hi Starla - Yet another person who can write and listen at the same time. Wow, I am so impressed. I like almost all music but not blues/improvised jazz. It just doesn't do anything for me!
DeleteI was the opposite! My mom forced lessons on my older sister, who hated them. I wanted to learn so badly, I drew a little note chart to teach myself, lol. I sounded terrible, but it's such a thrill to finally get something down right. :) I'm like you, Barbara, I can't listen and write because I end up singing along and caught up in the lyrics or a great melody. :)
ReplyDeleteCate, that is so strange. I'm just writing a story where I have a young lad drawing up a chart to teach himself. I'm channeling you!!
DeleteBut hey, don't the more people push you, the less you want to comply? Being told you can't have something is a very effective way of making you really really want it.
1st mandatory instrument pick: flute. Never got past the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star phase.
ReplyDeleteGuitar: Kinda picked that one on my own. Had a lovely little Rosewood guitar. Took lessons. Had my fill of La Malaguena. Stopped lessons. Bought Beatles song book.
Decided I was better at buying records (anyone know what those are?) and going to concerts.
LOL, Taryn. I played the flute for three years. I thought - I can play the recorder, the flute will be easy. Er, no. My only high point came when a local orchestra asked my school if they could provide a flautist for a concert as theirs was ill. School said yes and sent me. I had a solo - I nearly threw up on stage. I had three nights of it. I was a nervous wreck by the end of the week.
DeleteReading makes me happy. Books take you to another world or another place in time. I like to say its like a movie in my head and when I have to close its pages I've just put it on pause.
ReplyDeleteReading makes me happy too. If I don't count writing, I love reading more than anything else. Well, not the kids, not husband but you know what I mean!
DeleteI played piano more by ear than by sight reading. I did play clarinet in school for 7 years. I still love music. It makes me happy, especially when I'm working. Being able to read non-stop makes me happier. Thanks for the post. lisagk(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIf you played by ear, then you're naturally musical. I wish I was. I wonder if it's some area in the brain that lets some people hold the music and notes in their head? I could pick out a tune on the piano with one hand - no problem - any tune at all but I couldn't add the other hand.
DeleteI'd pick reading over music too!
I played the coronet and flugal horn, the piano by ear, sang in five choirs and sang in a great many musicals when I was in school. I miss all that music... now I write, edit, market and promote all the time. But this is what I'm meant to do.
ReplyDeleteFlipping heck! You really are talented!!
ReplyDeleteAnd the winner is Krista!! Email me your email addie and I'll arrange for you to have a copy of the book.
ReplyDeletebjel at btinternet dot com