Scarlett O'Hara

Would you consider picking it up again? Interesting post hun. xx

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Burning Down

Oh, I've continued with the flute and picked up other instruments along the way (that's for part II).

I started with the private lessons again in university, with a top notch instructor and lesson program. It's my main instrument in school right now

And thanks. I thought you guys deserved to know a little bit more about my life outside the Internet, lol.

Burning Down

I continued with the flute because I knew I had potential with the instrument. I no longer had the time to take private lessons anyways, as I concerned myself more with school and doing well. I did have an excellent band teacher for the first three years of high school who, although a trumpet player himself, directed me to various resources to help me with my flute studies. I was doing it all on my own now, outside of band materials. I found great songbooks and studies specific to the flute and worked through them on my own, using the knowledge I already had to help me. It was frustrating at times, though, especially if I was stuck on certain exercises or passages in a solo piece, because I really had no one to ask for advice or playing tips. This was also before the advent and popularity of YouTube, so I could not even turn to instructional videos for help. But I managed quite well in the end, I must say.

During this period, I was encouraged by my teachers and peers to take up other instruments. My high school offered another music course that focused solely on the guitar, for grades 10 through 12. When I enrolled in 10th grade I signed up for the course, and got a guitar for Christmas that year. Learning guitar with my friends in a group setting was really fun and exciting. I was no longer bound by the flute or by the rigid classical repertoire found in my instruction books. I was learning to play simple popular songs by the likes of The Beatles and other artists, and I loved it. I continue playing guitar to this day, and I also play electric bass now. I also did about 3 years of piano lessons, didn't get all that far (i.e. I am not a prodigy!), but that basic knowledge did end up helping me in university (more in Part III).

In grade 12, I started applying to university. I knew that I wanted to enrol in a music program of some sort, and I decided to go for education and a little bit of performance on the flute. So I applied in the fall of that year, and anxiously waited for their responses about audition and interview dates. When January 2008 rolled around, I heard back from all of them, and I was told what kind of material I had to prepare. All of them asked for one solo piece, and two contrasting pieces with piano accompaniment. I hired an excellent accompanist and started to practise for all my auditions. I was so thankful that none of them required me to memorize the pieces, as I hadn't perfected that technique yet.

In May of that year, I received letters of acceptance and rejection from the various schools I had applied to. I was sad to be rejected from my top choice, but they also demanded a lot more of their music students and have a more prestigious music faculty than the others. But I got into my second choice and I'm glad I accepted their offer. So the enrollment process had officially started. I felt like I had come so far with the flute and I had my music teachers and my own determination to thank.

Scarlett O'Hara

It is so cool to see someone achieve so much in one time. You're very inspiring! And they do say people who play an instrument are more intelligent. I just wish that I had talent to play the guitar but I don't have the drive for it. I'd love to play piano if I was offered lessons so I could finally sing songs that I've written that will finally have music attached to it.

Bravo! Is there a part 3?

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Burning Down

Yes, there's a part 3 where I'll talk more about my university life. Just hang tight!

Scarlett O'Hara

Your life would be an interesting novel, so would mine!

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Burning Down

I'm just glad someone is reading! Motivates me to keep writing. Will have part 3 up soon.

zombie kid

I think you should continue this!

Burning Down

I will! I've just been super busy with work and other things, as you know. I have something partially written, though. I guess that's a good enough start

zombie kid

Sounds good.