In seventh grade music class, Mr. Duncan passed out recorders to teach sight reading with. When we had to turn them back in, I was heartbroken. That Christmas, I asked for and received, a plastic soprano recorder. I played it until I got tired of the music I had and it went into the closet. A few years later, I bought a plastic Yamaha Soprano and a maple Gill Soprano. I played them until I got distracted by life's responsibilities and they went into a closet, too.
Last December, fifteen years later, I went to a party where a friend had brought along his tenor. I asked to try it and, aside from the stretch, I still remembered most of the fingering. I went home and dug around in my closet. They were still there. Determined, I went to the music store and found a book of music and set about getting back up to speed. I asked if anyone there taught the instrument and learned that my former piano teacher did. I've been taking lessons since January '97.
In the months since then, I have played two recitals; one with a lutenist friend for a group of comrades, and one with my teacher and her students. It was quite an experience being 31 years old and playing after a bunch of 8 to 14 year olds!
Midwest Recorder and Early Music Page
© 1997, 1998 Malinda Welte 
updated on 10/1/97
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