Do you have any musical training?

[scsinger01]

6 years violin (ages 3-9)
5 years piano (ages 8-10 formal, 14-17 self)
4 years saxophone (ages 11-15)
3 1/2 years bassoon (ages 11 1/2-15)
1 1/2 years baritone (14-15 1/2)
9 years voice (started around the age of 7, still singing today )
15 years of theory (only 1 formal class, was always taught off music though)

yeah. both my parents are conductors so it's always been expected of me, but until a few years ago i didnt see what it all meant and could have cared less. Now, im planning to go to college, major in music with emphasis in education, continue into grad school for masters in choral conducting. Id love to go into orchestral, but I havnt picked up any of the instruments in 3 years now (except piano, but im not concert level by far).

[aquablob]

Yes -- I've played piano since I was 4 and minored in music in college. Took a year of clarinet in 4th grade, have played guitar since junior high, and I took a semester of harpsichord lessons and a semester of conducting in college. And I currently work in a guitar shop, play piano regularly, and continue to (slowly) compose on the side (mostly for piano). Almost daily I listen to music with score in hand.

So yes, I have lots of musical training and I use it on a daily basis! I feel that it enhances my appreciation of music, but I cannot prove this.

[Heather Harrison]

When I was a child, I had a few piano lessons and picked up the basics of reading music, but I didn't do much at the time.

Recently, I have had almost two years of viola lessons (with some violin on the side), I have become proficient at reading music (especially on the alto clef), and I have bought some music theory books and learned some of the basics.  So my training hasn't been extensive, but I know enough to be dangerous.

Heather

[Greta]

Wendell, Don, Marvin, Karl...quite a few clarinet players here. I'm another although my main instrument was saxophone.

Another!  I had about 10 years of piano, and saxophone, same or more. I was a Music Ed major for 3 years, and then Business and now back to Music for a BA (though my teacher wishes Performance).

I love to study scores when I have the chance but really only got into that after college theory and especially orchestration class, and this year I'm taking conducting which I'm really looking forward to. 

[Bonehelm]

It's really embarrassing, but here it goes:

A. 5 years piano, now at RCM gr.10/ARCT level (technically 3, I stopped in between)
B. 6 months violin
C. 6 months trumpet
D. 3 years trombone
E. RCM Rudiments 2/Harmony 3 level
F. Self-taught music history, composition, orchestration and counterpoint

Now if you would excuse me, let me present mr. M Forever and his (probably) doctoral degree in music analysis 

[Renfield]

It's really embarrassing, but here it goes:

A. 5 years piano, now at RCM gr.10/ARCT level (technically 3, I stopped in between)
B. 6 months violin
C. 6 months trumpet
D. 3 years trombone
E. RCM Rudiments 2/Harmony 3 level
F. Self-taught music history, composition, orchestration and counterpoint

Now if you would excuse me, let me present mr. M Forever and his (probably) doctoral degree in music analysis 

Don't fret. My own musical training is:

1 year piano, when I was 7.

But I couldn't stand the conventional approach, as usual.

Recently, though, I went about remembering the little I'd learned about reading music and updating some of my knowledge through a random - but fun - little (non-technical) book. And interestingly enough, four months after my little revision, I found out I could follow Brahms' 1st Symphony from the score (see that other thread).

Also, give me a piano to practice on and I just might succeed in learning how to play. It will look really curious, most likely, and very "informal", but I do think I might be able to figure it out.

The rest of the theory I know, I have learned from liner notes, essays on Mahler, and general exposure to classical music through sources like Gramophone, or even this forum, as of late.

On a less-relevant note to this thread, something I'm also wondering if I can one day take up is the cello! *Cue M forever saying it's for the girls* The sound of that instrument has such a way of enchanting me that I really would like to learn how to play, one day... You think it could be feasible?

[paul]

I studied piano as a child and started cello when I was nine. I switched to the double bass at fourteen and attended the pre-college division of Manhattan School of Music where I also studied composition. I now attend the Juilliard School where I'm starting the second year of my undergraduate degree.

[Grazioso]

Yes, a modicum of both practical and theoretical training, both of which have substantially improved my appreciation of music by making me a far better listener than I was.

[George]

Yes

BA in Music

Studied Voice and Piano in college and guitar on my own. Like Dave, I don't practice very much. I just like to sing. I sing everyday.

[Szykneij]

About eight years of violin (and a similar number, on and off, on piano). I was beginning to get OK at violin (could play the solo part of the Dvorak and Tchaikovsky concerto with at least moderate competence) but quit after shoulder damage left me in constant pain when I played.

That's unfortunate but not uncommon. There are doctors who specialize in treating musicians for playing-related ailments similar to the way athletes are treated by sports medicine specialists.

[longears]

Yes.

George, I didn't know.  What a pleasant surprise!

[George]

Yes.

George, I didn't know.  What a pleasant surprise!

Yeah, I shy away from technical terms as it tends to remove some of the fun for me. It's one of the reasons I never got a Master's. I find it impossible to study something in college without losing some enjoyment of the material.

[hornteacher]

I hold a BA in Music Education and have been teaching middle and high school band for 12 years.  Six of my compositions for concert band are on the North Carolina State Festival List and I arrange for several local marching bands.  I've played horn and piano since 1982 (although I'm a MUCH better hornist than I am a pianist).

[Bonehelm]

I hold a BA in Music Education and have been teaching middle and high school band for 12 years.  Six of my compositions for concert band are on the North Carolina State Festival List and I arrange for several local marching bands.  I've played horn and piano since 1982 (although I'm a MUCH better hornist than I am a pianist).

Wow, now I am curious about your real name!

[hautbois]

Wow, now I am curious about your real name!

That's my favourite actor you got there in your avatar! I assume you are from Hong Kong?

Played 3 years clarinet in junior high band, played oboe for 5 years now and is currently studying in a music conservatory, i am 20!

Howard

[Bonehelm]

That's my favourite actor you got there in your avatar! I assume you are from Hong Kong?

Played 3 years clarinet in junior high band, played oboe for 5 years now and is currently studying in a music conservatory, i am 20!

Howard

Wow really!!!? We've had quite a discussion/debate on Karena recently. I even posted up a video of her dancing, she's so cute! Yes I'm from HK, what about you? What music conservatory are you studying in?

[Valentino]

Ja.
7 years alto saxophone (10-16). Been better off with piano. I'm terrible with chords...

(Also self learned western guitar player, but that cannot count can it?)

[hornteacher]

Wow, now I am curious about your real name!

It's Mekel Rogers.  I'm not hiding or anything.  I just thought "hornteacher" sounded less dull as a username.

The first day of school was today.  Yay, back to work!   

[George]

It's Mekel Rogers.  I'm not hiding or anything.  I just thought "hornteacher" sounded less dull as a username.

I prefer Mr. Rogers*.




_________________
* Sorry, I couldn't resist. 

[not edward]

I prefer Mr. Rogers*.




_________________
* Sorry, I couldn't resist. 

But is this board his neighborhood?