Despite years of trying, I’ve sadly never mastered a musical instrument.
First I tried was piano, and even after numerous attempts over a few years with a few teachers giving lessons (one being my aunt), I still cannot read sheet music and place my hands properly. That said, I have learned a couple notes starting Fur Elise just by ear, but lost that precise order over time.
There was harmonica that was given to me as a gift. Best I learned was there is a difference of notes between inhaling and exhaling. I had a book to practice but didn’t try every song to get the notes down.
Drums was next, and despite my ambition and getting a free set as a hand-me-down from my cousin, as well as a few instructional videos and a lesson or two from my uncle, I rarely picked up the drums. The problem was they sat in the family room in my house at the time, and even a slight tap would be heard throughout the whole house. My dad was a stickler for noise, despite my older brother playing rhythm guitar in his room and my dad knowing some guitar but rarely playing. I felt discouraged and that drum set passed us by. That said I practice rhythm often using any objects and picking it up in music. My best potential, lost.
Some time later I got a gift of bongos, but didn’t practice for a similar noise reason, and not having a set of lessons to practice which drums or sides to hit for which sounds.
As much as I love music, I get sad thinking how I never adapted to playing it myself. I wouldn’t try guitar because I was scared it was too complex. In grade school before most of these stories, I liked the idea but my parents refused to pay for instrument and lessons. Now the interests are gone, and no skill is learned. Bass guitar creeps up in my head every so often, but mostly because I can pick out the bass line in a song and follow it by humming. Like guitar, might be too tough for me to line up notes properly.
I want to believe there is still time, but at 25, I still have to get other important parts of my life together, and I can’t see music as a gateway into having a settled, sustainable life for me.
Sorry to be the party pooper.
P.S. Unless Guitar Hero counts, because I can shred on Hard mode for either Lead or Bass guitars. Drums gives my foot a workout, I might be doing it wrong.