I could have been great, maybe even incredable.

My family is full of musicians and artists, my mother is a singer, sax player, violinist, pianist, you name it. My aunt is the leading violinist of the Adelaide symphony orchestra in Australia, no mean feat for someone growing up in South Africa. My uncle is a graphic designer and photographer, and used to play the cello before being sent to the South African - Angolan war.

And I used to play the violin.

When I was around seven I was asked by my grandparents (I live with them, since my mother wasn't in the position to raise me at the time, and when she did come into the position to raise me, I couldn't adjust to the new life.) what instrument I would like to play. I chose the violin. I learned fairly quickly, but my grandmother did something that she didn't do with any of her other children. She pressured me. Not ridiculously so, but what she didn't know was that I was incredibly self-critical to begin with, and I can't handle outside pressure. In any case, she is a slightly impatient person, and sadly, because of her incredible music skills, she can hear it when someone is even slightly out of key, and she doesn't hesitate to say so. For my first musical examination, I got a A+, and for some confounded reason, I was so incredibly self critical that I wasn't satisfied, I wanted the highest possible grade, A++. This coupled with the fact that even though she didn't know she was pressuring me, I could still feel it, I ended up seeing practice sessions as a chore, like homework, instead of something I enjoy. After my second year, I quit. Now, 9 years after quitting, my hands are bigger, perfect for the cello, and I LOVE the sound of the instrument, but neither do I have the money for a cello and lessons, nor are there any teachers in my current town.

The fact that I know I could have been INCREDIBLE, eats me. Normally it doesn't bother me, but when listening to something like Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D, it gets to me. I feel deep inside me the longing not only to listen to that music, but to be able to play it.

I'm 18 years old and still young enough to learn the cello, but there are no teachers, and I don't have thousands of dollars for an instrument and lessons anyway. If I don't start practicing soon, the talent will become lost to me, and I will be lucky to even be able to learn to play the instrument for recreational purposes, never mind ever be able to perform.

What do I do?

 

I Think It's Time To Pick Up The Phone, And Have A Long

"Heart To Heart" Chat To Your Mom....



Cheers Glen.

 

"If I don't start practicing soon, the talent will become lost to me, and I will be lucky to even be able to learn to play the instrument for recreational purposes, never mind ever be able to perform."

talent doesn't die just goes dormant. with your background already in place you could start in 10 years and become a great performer.

you live in south africa? what is your current job? where do you live?

you say that problem is money, at least you have time. 18 is the perfect time to start life. there is always a way around. I need more information.

 

Nah, I think it is time to pick up a gun, rob the bank, and buy a cello.

 

Best thing I've seen you post. Cheers

 

Problem Solved........:2thumbsup:



Cheers Glen.

 

BTW, I still live with my grandparents, and I am finishing Matric next year. Then I am moving out of this charming but utterly jobless town, and moving to a place that is equally charming, with better waves (I surf), and a cello teacher.

 

Just remember that in 80 years you will almost certainly be dead. That is always a comforting thought for me.

 

Also, the reason why I say it will be very difficult for me to become good enough to perform, is I'll have to get good enough that a symphony orchestra from another country would like to have me. The new government closed the national symphony orchestra and all other orchestras in South Africa, calling it "white mans music".
My grandfather was head of music education in the Free State. (A state of South Africa, that was changed to a province after the new government.) But he was soon sacked after the new regime, the government ignored the HUNDREDS of black children that was taught by schools and colleges he ran, and are now abroad the world as some of the greatest musicians to come out of this country.
Apartheid was a bad thing, but the new government has no fucking clue how to run a country. Most people know about the atrocities of Apartheid, and the great man that is Nelson Mandela, but nobody knows about the corrupt ANC and all the presidents that came after Nelson Mandela, meaning Thabo Mbeki, who was a pain in the arse, but at least had a brain, and the current president, Jacob Zuma, who is a fool with only a third grade education, and who was charged with corruption before becoming president, but because of the further corruption of the police and the court, was called "not guilty" even though the person whom he conspired with was called guilty. Soon after Zuma became president he ordered the release of this person.

We have one fucked up government.

 

My grandfather is turning 80 this Thursday, thank you for creeping me out.

 

Why Not Move To South Orstralia And Live With Your Aunt....?



Cheers Glen.

 

People say that about me, that I could have been incredible ( at the cello ).

I got a scholarship when I was 9. Did all the grades, ditched it before a-mus.

lol

I think I love music too much to play it! : D

 

Been The Story Of My Life...



Tears Glen....:bigcry:

 

Don't cry Glen! It's just their way of saying they think we are incredible... without committal! lol

 

I still don't know weather I want to move out of the country or not. The government is fucked up, but hey, this place is still home, and a beautiful one at that.

If you've ever watched Lion King, you might understand why one wouldn't like to leave Africa.

(BTW, Scar = ANC.)

 

I'd lay out a little friendly money that returning to music as an adult after giving it up as a boy will bring you a richer depth of understanding and appreciation for your art.

Your story reminds me of a girl I knew when I was in college. She told me her mom had forced her to take piano lessons from a young age, but she herself hated them. I myself loved music and was mostly self-taught, and I told her I would love to hear her play. So one day we were walking on campus somewhere and she said, "Come with me." She led me to the music building and into a piano practice room. Then she proceeded to play me from memory an almost technically perfect rendition of Debussy's "Claire de Lune," a piece I love. The whole time she played it she had a scowl on her face. It tended to somewhat diminish the overall effect. LOL

 

people are always telling me that I AM incredible, it's such a hassle!

 

Well, I started playing electric bass at 15. Now I'm 36 and feel like I'm just hitting my stride. Try it. At one point I was working on Bach Cello Suites on my bass. Trust me it is cheaper then buying a cello, easier to find a teacher and easier to get work as such. Plus it is easier to transport.

Stay Brown,
Rev J

 

We all could have been great, maybe even incredible, if we had found the reason we came here, had proper support and guidance to see it through. Very few do find this reason.... fewer still get the support. That's the problem.

 

I wonder why they do that.