October 22, 2016
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Looking at Music
My husband, Sparky, plays guitar and bass. Son #1 played clarinet (and still owns 2) and has dinked around with a guitar. Son #2 plays violin, viola, bass, guitar, and piano (at least well enough to pass 4 piano classes at college). We have lots of instruments in the house - 2 guitars (one acoustic and one acoustic/electric), 1 electric bass, a snare drum, 2 violins, a euphonium, an accordion, a ukelin, a banjo, a guiro, wooden spoons, castanets, 3 recorders, and 2 electric keyboards. We used to have a trombone but he loaned it to a guy at church and it kind of became a gift. Anyway, Sparky has a thing for instruments. We haven't spent a lot of money for most of them having either found them at garage sales or resale shops or in some cases having been gifted with them (the banjo from my mother). Still it is hard to resist an instrument that is abandoned and looking sad. Which is why I didn't tell Sparky about the Fender Statocaster or the Fender Squire Strat that just showed up in the Salvation Army store. Although they were in tune and in pretty good shape for being older models (made in 2000), we needed them like a another hole in the head. I had taken photos and texted them to Sparky's long time friend who happens to be in a band and is always on the lookout for vintage instruments!
Comments (8)
They're beautiful instruments! Will they find a home in your home, now that Sparky can see them on this post?
No way! Sparky has more instruments than he needs. These aren't his style anyway. When our friend went back to look for them they were gone. At the price I knew they wouldn't be there long!
The black guitar looks like the one I got for my son for his 16th birthday. His love of music and instruments is like Sparky's. He owns many variety, some he can barely play but his first and favorite love is still a guitar, though I think where he is now he plays the acoustic more than any of his electrics.
The acoustic guitar is a friendlier instrument for dorm dwellers or seminarians. Then again if the electric is unplugged you can barely hear it at all - perfect for practicing. Sparky was never in music in school - he is self taught for guitar but did take some lessons several years ago - tried to do the classical 12 string guitar. It is a bit more difficult...
We have 1 piano and some African instruments. We call them koundeys. They don't have an English name. My mom used to play the violin and the guitar. When she was a girl she played her guitar at theaters between movies, got to watch the movie free, and also got paid for playing. It was a Hawaiian guitar, and she held it on her lap and played it with picks and a steel. She gave both instruments to my musical brother, so they're in Spain now. He says the guitar (a Martin from the 20's) Isn't worth a lot because it was a student model and not full-size. By the way, Mother is not doing well, and we've asked Hospice to go to the nursing home to help care for her.
I'm so sorry to hear that your mom isn't doing well. I will send prayers for her and for the rest of the family... It isn't always the cost of the item but the sentimental value that is important! My grandmother worked for the movie theater when she was a young girl. She would do back flips and cartwheels across the stage between shows and the theater owner would pay her 5 cents and let her watch the movie for free!
I enjoy reading not only blogs, but comments as well. I have just read of acts performed between movies. My mother mentioned she would occasionally go to the movies, and if I remember correctly, it could last all day, with several shows. I am now curious to ask her if she, or any friend or relative also performed for free shows or a modest wage.
My grandmother performed for the silent movies and the lady who played the organ would play while she cavorted and did her acrobatic routine. By the time talking movies came out they kind of did away with the live music and entertainment...
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