One constant in my life since childhood has been singing and piano. I've had the most beautiful keyboard for about 3 or 4 years now that goes through periods of a lot of use, but doesn't get used to it's full potential. I have decided to pick back up and pursue my musical talent. It is a perk for this hobby that there are no start up costs whatsoever.
I sat down on Saturday night and played for about 45 minutes. There is a box full of books ranging in genre from Chopin to Barbara Streisand, so it is difficult for me to get bored. Over the next several weeks I will just need to be diligent to not give up, but persevere through a song until it is completed and can be played in the way it was written.
In beginning this musical quest I have picked four songs to work on, though, I could not tell me all four names right now. I picked the first song in the Mozart book, the first Valse in my Chopin book, Wishing You were Somehow Here Again from Phantom of the Opera as one vocal piece, and Memory from Cats for the other vocal piece.
Both of the vocal pieces need a lot of work--I haven't kept up with singing in so long that it will take some time to build up my range again. My fingers are also a little out of touch with piano playing, especially my left hand, so I am thinking there will be a lot of scales, etc, in the future.
Benefit: I already have a firm foundation, I have all I need to pursue this hobby, and I know I have somewhat of the ear needed to do well.
Con: It's easy for me to get frustrated when I cannot immediately play a piece or become insecure when singing...I don't know who I think is listening to my singing, since most of the time I am home alone. Maybe a fly on the wall or something? Actually, somehow I think some random person on the street will hear me singing and be horrified, that's some strange mix of selfishness and craziness.
Anyway, I am putting all of that behind me and setting a goal of being able to play and/or sing all of those songs by the end of the summer. I know for a fact that piano is something I can lose myself in, which is one of the best signs of a good hobby.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Painting and such
This weekend provided little time for experimenting, but I did have some time to explore some interests.
First up--painting. I discovered long ago that I cannot paint abstract art because I am too literal, I also cannot paint literal things because I am not disciplined enough to be gifted at making an apple look like an apple. So, in an effort to keep things literal and not be frustrated I am working on one of those really detailed paint by numbers.
Benefits: It looks like the picture when I am done. Also, I have freedom to ad lib a little bit and I get to mix paints=messy, I ALWAYS like messy.
Cons: I have to sit--for a long time. I sit so often at work that my shoulders start to hurt pretty quickly from leaning over the canvas.
Overall, I do like this one, but I doubt I could do it as my constant hobby. Half an hour here and there is nice, but it involves so little movement. If I was working a job that kept me on my feet I may enjoy this a little more. One thing that has always been true about me, though, is that I very much enjoy seeing progress in my tasks. When activities are too obtuse or long term, I get discouraged, feeling as though I never make progress. That is not true with painting. I feel progress at the end of every session.
Maybe I'll dabble in some more advanced painting after this, but for now, this gives me a sense of accomplishment.
First up--painting. I discovered long ago that I cannot paint abstract art because I am too literal, I also cannot paint literal things because I am not disciplined enough to be gifted at making an apple look like an apple. So, in an effort to keep things literal and not be frustrated I am working on one of those really detailed paint by numbers.
Benefits: It looks like the picture when I am done. Also, I have freedom to ad lib a little bit and I get to mix paints=messy, I ALWAYS like messy.
Cons: I have to sit--for a long time. I sit so often at work that my shoulders start to hurt pretty quickly from leaning over the canvas.
Overall, I do like this one, but I doubt I could do it as my constant hobby. Half an hour here and there is nice, but it involves so little movement. If I was working a job that kept me on my feet I may enjoy this a little more. One thing that has always been true about me, though, is that I very much enjoy seeing progress in my tasks. When activities are too obtuse or long term, I get discouraged, feeling as though I never make progress. That is not true with painting. I feel progress at the end of every session.
Maybe I'll dabble in some more advanced painting after this, but for now, this gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Why, I ask?
When my husband and I started dating one of the questions he asked was "What do you do for fun?" I dread this question any time someone asks. Seems unusual, doesn't it? What I enjoy doing should be one of the things I enjoy talking about most in life, yet instead I have no clue. Though, I could argue that talking is my current hobby, so I am often involved in this activity...I doubt that will cover my quest.
To be a successful and acceptable hobby I have a few requirements:
1) Not too expensive--none of this learning how to bake with truffles and lots of saffron as I all too quickly drain our law student/part time income
2) Causes more relaxation than frustration. Frustration may happen occasionally as I learn new things, but my goal is not to be cranky pants after "hobby time".
3) Doesn't involve me talking much to lover boy so he can get some "brain dead" time.
Okay, that was a couple--I may add to this as time continues.
The purpose of this blog is for my own use--over the next several months I will use this as my virtual journal of hobbies. At the end of this venture I will, hopefully, have found enjoyable hobbies that are inexpensive and keep me, somewhat, out of my husband's hair for a few hours a week. As my brain moves at about 90 mph and I have the attention span of a two year old, I need some written record of what I thought of each of my tried hobbies.
First up: Painting (not as skilled painting as you are thinking). I'll keep me updated in a few days.
To be a successful and acceptable hobby I have a few requirements:
1) Not too expensive--none of this learning how to bake with truffles and lots of saffron as I all too quickly drain our law student/part time income
2) Causes more relaxation than frustration. Frustration may happen occasionally as I learn new things, but my goal is not to be cranky pants after "hobby time".
3) Doesn't involve me talking much to lover boy so he can get some "brain dead" time.
Okay, that was a couple--I may add to this as time continues.
The purpose of this blog is for my own use--over the next several months I will use this as my virtual journal of hobbies. At the end of this venture I will, hopefully, have found enjoyable hobbies that are inexpensive and keep me, somewhat, out of my husband's hair for a few hours a week. As my brain moves at about 90 mph and I have the attention span of a two year old, I need some written record of what I thought of each of my tried hobbies.
First up: Painting (not as skilled painting as you are thinking). I'll keep me updated in a few days.
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