I got paid playing music for the first time!

August 20, 2006 at 11:17 PM

I was early for my lesson last Saturday. So I went to the nearby park to warm up and practiced some scales and exam pieces. A little kid (probably 10 years old) came to me and said "I think you play very well and you deserve this." He handed me 5 cents. I was laughing and said thank you. The coin had a little dirt which indicated that he might have found it somewhere in the park.

After about 35 minutes practising at the park it was time for my lesson and as I was heading to my teacher's home, the kid and his friends yelled "YOU ROCK!"

That was just what I needed to boost my confidence a little for the concert this weekend, and my exam the week after. It's a 10 year-old boy (or 11, I wasn't sure) and 5 cents, and he made my day!

From Terez Mertes
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 12:43 AM

Oh, what a great story! : )

From Julie C.
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 1:02 AM

AWW, how cute.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 5:59 AM

I wonder where the kid got that line. No matter, it made you feel good.

From Karin Lin
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 6:12 AM

Aww, that's such a great story! Proof that it really is the thought that counts, most of the time.

I admire your courage, practicing in public. I'm trying to get up mine enough to do the same in the park near my workplace, but I'm still too chicken.

From Eileen Geriak
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 10:13 PM

That is soo cool William ! Just imagine what an impression you made on that young fella. Perhaps someday you may find yourself playing along with some new up in comer in the symphony sect who turns out to be him ! ;)

From William Yap
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 10:20 PM

I don't claim that I have inspired the boy, but it might just have... the same way he gave me some courage. I think whenever I feel pressured performing from now on, I'll remember that "I ROCK!" and hopefully will get me through.

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on August 22, 2006 at 6:40 AM

I was curious what recorder and mic you used to record the spicatto test you posted once. I liked the sound of the recording.

From Linda Lerskier
Posted on August 22, 2006 at 6:21 PM

That's so cute! What do you plan to do with the nickel?

From William Yap
Posted on August 22, 2006 at 11:49 PM

Jim,

I use iRiver MP3 player and the mic that came with it. As an MP3 player, it is a bit bulky. But as a recorder, it’s very convenient. You can record hours and hours of music and straight away in MP3 format. I then transfer it to my PC and use Audacity software to chop of the bits I don’t want (start and end bits).

Linda,
Like most musician, that nickel will go towards saving for my next drink. Kidding… I’ve yet to decide. It’s now carefully placed in a box, which is in a basket, separated from my other nickels. Any suggestion?

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on August 23, 2006 at 5:41 AM

Invest your nickel wisely. In a few years, you will want to upgrade to a better violin and/or bow.

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on August 23, 2006 at 1:49 PM

Wow amazingly good for that, especially. What model iRiver exactly? Thanks.

From William Yap
Posted on August 23, 2006 at 10:24 PM

Pauline,
I'm holding off upgrading a new violin for a few years. I want to celebrate my violin's 100th birthday in 2010. Although I might get a third violin and if so, the nickle will come in handy.

Jim,
The iRiver model I got is H320 with 20G memory. If you need a larger memory, there is the H340 model, with 40G memory. If you get the right software, you can even convert DVD and watch it in iRiver. Visit mysticriver.com, there are lots of discussions and guides on how to use the MP3 player, and software you can download.

I use my iPod for listening to music though. iRiver is just too bulky.

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

I got paid playing music for the first time!

Subscribe

Laurie's Books