Only Flute!

In 6th grade, I picked up the flute and decided I wanted to be like my best friend. I played in Greenbrier Christian Academy's middle school band {which was not challenging at all} for two years.In 8th grade {when my mom started homeschooling me}, I knew the B Flat scale and I could finger out the C scale. That's why I didn't even attempt to audition for YMV's band. I didn't play my flute all year, but decided I wanted to audition in 9th grade. Yeah, I didn't make it. I didn't play that whole year either, but started taking lessons the summer before my 10th grade year. I was pretty much starting from scratch. Somehow, I made it into band that fall.

There were three of us, so I was third chair. If there were thirty of us, I would have been thirtieth chair. I was bad. I was playing with two kids who had played together for years and were better then most college people probably. I went into a band that was nothing like GCA. This music was hard. I'm not talking about a song in 6/8. I'm sayin' it had 32nd notes and syncopation. Synco what?! I was so clueless. Fortunately, I was able to fade into the background. While the other two competed against each other to have first chair, I was content even having a chair.

I think with band, once you're in, you're in. I guess if you really were bad enough, he would kick you out, but I guess I made it past that mark. Last year was good. I had third chair in the bag. Unfortunately, those other two people? Yeah, they graduated last year. Do you know what that means? FIRST CHAIR. Now, I don't know how many of you are musically minded, but often times, the different chairs are different difficulties. Meaning, first chair is hardest, then second chair, third chair, and so on. If you're still not catching my drift, it means that I went from somewhat easy to ridiculously hard. Now if you know me at all, you know that my confidence level, when it comes to the flute, is shot. Oh well; whatdoya do...

Quit! Yep, I almost did. But then I didn't. Which I'm pretty happy about. We had our winter concert on Tuesday night and I was scared out of my mind. I had too many solos for my liking. One of which was just me - JUST me. But it's okay. It was just the chromatic scale and it didn't go too badly. Anywho, the concert went well. With the help of Jesus Christ, I got through it with minimal major mess-ups. I'm telling you, every rest I had, I was praying. I did not want to completely embarrass myself. 

This year has been a major growing experience. I think I would have really regretted quitting. So, if you ever want to quit something because you think it's too hard; don't. In the end, you'll probably feel better about it. :)