Monday, August 24, 2009

My piano lessons


When I was little, I had to go to piano lessons and I can still remember it clearly today.
The half hour lesson was before school and I would ride my bicycle around to Mrs Drummond's house.
She was a nice, but strict old Lady and if you played a wrong note, she would smack my knuckles with a wooden ruler. ( I am sure that would not be legal, doing that now)
On particularly cold days, when there was frost outside on the ground, my little fingers found it hard to play as they were so cold. The little one bar heater did not make much of a difference in the big lounge.

Anyway what I also remember was she had some lovely paintings around the room that I loved looking at, while I waited my turn. My brother and sister would go before me.

There was the Edgar Degas painting which I thought was really beautiful of the Ballerina's at rehearsal.

Have a great week
Hugs
Carolyn
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33 comments:

  1. Marsha @ Tattered ChickAugust 24, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    Oh, my, that brought back memories. I had teachers who would hit us on the hand with a ruler, one would throw chalk at us . . .

    Do you still play the piano today? I enjoy listening to the piano.

    Hugs,
    Marsha

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  2. DeannaAugust 24, 2009 at 12:10 PM

    Dearest Carolyn,
    Hi!

    I always wanted to play the Piano, but never took lessons. My husband did. I only play by ear. I'm sorry that your knuckles were smacked when you played in a way that the Teacher didn't approve of. It was a common practice by some teachers to hit if not pleased by their students behaviour.
    I think it best to not hit the children's hands or other body parts. As a child my younger brother was hit on the head by a teacher in her classroom. My Mother had to visit with this teacher.

    So sorry your husband fell. I hope he is alright. I will tell my husband to be careful.

    I am enjoying reading your blog and past post.

    Blessings to you!
    d

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  3. LisaAugust 24, 2009 at 12:19 PM

    I love this one too! My grandmother brought this print back from a summer she spent in France with her sister!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  4. Draffin BearsAugust 24, 2009 at 12:27 PM

    Hi Marsha,

    It is awful how they did things like that, back in those days and got away with it.
    Although we do not have a piano, no room I can still play the piano when I go down to my Parents home.
    I enjoy music too.

    Hi Deanna,

    That is so neat that you play the piano by ear and your husband plays the piano too. Always great to have a singsong around the piano.

    My husband is staying home from work today. He was cutting back the wisteria and was bending over to get another pair of pruning shears and the ladder slipped.
    We took him to the Doctor to get checked out and he seems to be okay.
    Has a graze on his cheek and a sore ankle.It gave him a fright and I think next time he will have our Son up the ladder.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  5. Draffin BearsAugust 24, 2009 at 12:32 PM

    Hi Lisa,

    How lovely that your Grandmother brought this print back from France.

    hugs
    Carolyn

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  6. UnknownAugust 24, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    oh wonderful!!! so nice to hear a little story about you and growing up!!! piano!!! wow...that is wonderful....and that painting is just beautiful!!!

    Hugs
    Diana

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  7. DoloresAugust 24, 2009 at 2:47 PM

    Carolyn, I'm so glad you still play the piano. I hope you find real enjoyment from it - considering your experiences.
    It is strange how accidents happen and in hindsight, one could see what went wrong. I'm glad your husband is OK and hope that there is no lasting effects.

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  8. debra@dustjacketAugust 24, 2009 at 3:04 PM

    His paintings are lovely, I really like the one you posted.

    Sorry to hear about your husband, bit scary!

    Take care,
    xoxo

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  9. Draffin BearsAugust 24, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    Hi Diana,

    Looking back it was not much fun going before school and then having to do theory and practice after school, but I am so glad that I did get this privilege.

    Thanks Dolores.
    Yes, you worry when anyone hits themselves near the head, thank goodness, he seems to be ok.


    Hi DJ,

    It is a lovely painting isn't it.
    Ballerina's always look so graceful and pretty.
    Yes, it was scary and thanks for your visit and concern.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  10. C. JoyBell C.August 24, 2009 at 4:49 PM

    Precious memories, Carolyn... :)

    I remember when I had to go to my piano lessons...SIIIIIGHHHH.... I hated it! OH no, not playing the piano...I love the piano and have had my own grand pianos throughout my growing up years...but...the lessons???? uuuugggghhh!!!!

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  11. SusanAugust 24, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    I love when you share some memories... I hope you are having a lovely day, xoxo

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  12. AnonymousAugust 24, 2009 at 7:30 PM

    It is a beautiful painting - amazing what we remember. My daughter is at Piano lessons as I type but I do hope that she is not having her knuckles rapt!
    x Have a blessed week. Suzi

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  13. Its So Very CheriAugust 24, 2009 at 9:38 PM

    Thank you for your sweet comments. I will feel better soon.

    I love that painting. I would love to get a poster of that for Miss G4s room.

    Cheri

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  14. LolaAugust 25, 2009 at 2:42 AM

    What a beautiful painting - but I do hope you weren't put off piano playing for life after that experience!

    Do hope your husband's OK now.

    Have a good week,

    xxLola:)

    PS thanks for stopping by - commented back to you at end of previous post! xx

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  15. ElizaAugust 25, 2009 at 4:24 AM

    what a beautiful memory you shared with us :) except the part of the ruler of course. but it's wonderful to remember childhood days, and that painting is very beautiful :) <3

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  16. The Victorian ParlorAugust 25, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    Wow-I can't imagine anyone hitting a child with a ruler today! I have always wanted to play the piano-maybe someday I'll take some lessons (minus the knuckle hitting of course:).

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  17. Draffin BearsAugust 25, 2009 at 9:21 AM

    I know what you are saying Charity and I guess that was how I felt.
    The lessons, theory, scales and practice were sometimes not much fun for a young girl.

    Thank you Susan, I have actually got the flu with a sore throat, my family seem to have picked up something. So it will be back to bed again.

    Hi Suzi,

    How lovely that your daughter is learning the piano. I am sure they do not have the archaic form of punishment now, thank goodness.

    Hi Cheri,

    It will be lovely to get a poster of this painting, for your little girls room.

    Hi Nora,

    Many thanks for visiting and always leaving a kind comment.
    No, I have not been put of my music and still love playing when I get the chance. DH is feeling better from the fall but now has a sore throat. Thanks.

    Hi Eliza,

    Thanks for your visit and the painting is beautiful isn't it.

    Hi Kim,

    Lessons would be good and I am sure that you will enjoy playing your own music.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  18. RosemaryAugust 25, 2009 at 1:57 PM

    I never had piano lessons, just ballet.
    Hope you have a great week, and have fun at the baby shower on Saturday.
    Rosemary

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  19. AnonymousAugust 25, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Do you still play? What a neat story. Thank you for sharing~

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  20. Draffin BearsAugust 25, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    Hi Rosemary,

    Ballet would have been lovely.
    I always thought that was far more exciting than playing the piano.
    Enjoy your daughters baby shower and I can't wait to hear about it.

    Hi Susie,

    Yes, I still enjoy playing and it is a wonder I can remember anything after all those years.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  21. A Fanciful LifeAugust 25, 2009 at 4:08 PM

    Oh, Carolyn, I love that painting! I've always had a thing for fou fou ballerinas. Thanks for sharing your memory. I would love to be able to play the piano. Do you have a piano today?
    Sharon :-)

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  22. Draffin BearsAugust 25, 2009 at 4:17 PM

    Hi Sharon,

    thank you so much for your visit.
    The painting is lovely and I adore Ballerinas too.

    We do not have a piano, our house is rather compact and do not have the room. We were thinking of extending the house, we had an architect draw up a design, but then when the recession came, have put things on hold.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  23. French-KissedAugust 25, 2009 at 5:48 PM

    Thanks for sharing your piano lessons memory. I am now sad to say that my fondest piano lesson memory was breaking my finger on the playground and getting to quit. Now, I would give almost anything to be able to play. I hope you stuck with your lessons and are still enjoying playing today.

    ~Jermaine~

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  24. susanAugust 26, 2009 at 12:01 AM

    Carolyn-I am so sorry you are under the weather and hope you are feeling better! I love your piano lesson memories! I had a very stern ballet teacher--but we did not look like Degas's beautiful painting :) Thanks for dropping by for tea! (Tea is good for the flu!)

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  25. Carol Schockling LaweckiAugust 26, 2009 at 3:06 AM

    Beautiful painting Carolyn! Oh my, your story of getting hit with the ruler on the knuckles just brought back a memory from my days at a catholic school. I was coloring something in after the Sister told us to stop and she called me to the front of the room and had me lay over her knees and paddled me in front of the class. I was mortified! Certainly illegal today.

    Have a great day!

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  26. CaroleAugust 26, 2009 at 5:34 AM

    That painting is one of my favorites....and just love impressionist painters. I wonder sometimes what it would have been like to live in that era? was it as romantic as we think of it now???
    xo,
    CArole

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  27. RueAugust 26, 2009 at 5:43 AM

    Hi Carolyn :)

    I always wanted to take lessons, but never did. I think it's wonderful that you can play, but I'm sorry you were smacked... ouch!

    hugs,
    rue

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  28. Draffin BearsAugust 26, 2009 at 8:42 AM

    Hi Jermaine,

    That must have been sad breaking your finger and having to give up your piano playing. I hope that you might be able to take it up again.

    Hi Susan,

    Thank you and yes , I have been drinking a lot of lemon and honey drinks, water and tea.
    It made me laugh when you said that you did not look like the Degas painting, my guess is that you would have looked beautiful in your tutu.

    Oh Carol, that must have been so awful for you. I am really glad that they do not have that form of punishment now.

    Hi Carole,

    Interesting question and one I often think about. I loved the beautiful clothing but then the chores like laundry must have been quite a hard job.
    I love the work of the Impressionist painters.

    Hi Rue,

    Maybe you can take lessons, it is never too late.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  29. NancyAugust 26, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    Hi Carolyn...back home now. Have to catch up on all of your lovely posts.
    We do have so much in common including the piano. I am qualified to teach the piano...it took a lot of hard work and a few cracks with a ruler by a nun! I am not Catholic, but the convent was close to my home and the Sisters really were wonderful.
    Hope you are still playing!
    Hugs, Nancy

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  30. Draffin BearsAugust 26, 2009 at 11:27 AM

    Hi Nancy,

    How wonderful that you are a qualified to music teacher. I know that is a lot of hard work, as I had a cousin that did the same - Grade 8 and letters.
    I think it was common to have a few cracks across the knuckles.
    I wonder if you teach?
    Yes, I still enjoy playing when I have the chance. It is something you don't really forget is it.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  31. rochambeauAugust 26, 2009 at 2:45 PM

    Oh yes! Thank you for your post. Since your memory reminds me of my teacher, Don Francisco. How's that for a name? ;-) I practiced everyday, but never learned how to read music.
    The best thing about piano lessons?
    It helped me to learn to play the guitar.

    Have a great week!

    xox
    Constance

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  32. Fé...August 26, 2009 at 3:11 PM

    Blocking painful memories... Lol. I used to have this fat nasty teacher. She would scold and pinch if I got the note wrong.

    At least the result is not quite disappointing ;p I may not be a prof. piano player, but I think my tunes are enjoyable...

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  33. Draffin BearsAugust 26, 2009 at 3:30 PM

    Hi Constance,

    That is a classy name, of your music teacher and how neat that you learned the piano and you can play the guitar.
    The piano does give you a good start, understanding and ear for music, doesn't it.

    Oh Fe, that is horrible but glad that you got through that and can play some enjoyable tunes.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx

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