Binky Bunny – The Musical

[jerseygirl]

No, it’s not a new show about to open on Broadway.  I’m just curious about the musicality of members here. 

Do you play an instrument?  Sing?  Write?

In what capacity? For own leisure, amateur or professional musician, teacher?   Please share.

Off the top of my head I’m aware of 2 pianist, 2 singers,  a french hornist and a cellist among our members.

[Helenor]

I play viola (yes, there are tons of viola jokes out there). I used to be very active in middle school and high school with it and it was basically all of the extracurricular activity I did. I was in various symphonies, school and youth ones, and I was in my high school chamber group. I stopped playing shortly after I graduated from high school but started playing again recently. I joined my university’s symphony this quarter and it’s been fun. I’ve missed it more than I realized. I still see my viola teacher, who was my teacher since I was nine, for lessons every once in a while.

Do you play an instrument, Jerseygirl?

[peppypoo]

Oh, awesome topic!

I played classical piano continuously from when I was 4 until I graduated from high school; it was always secondary to my school work etc., though I did have my few annual local/state competitions. I also picked up violin in 5th grade, and pursued it on a solo level as well as in the school orchestra and various chamber music groups. Sometime in high school I bought a cheap guitar at a garage sale and while I would hardly say I can play well, I’ve picked out a few songs and know my basic chords. 

I did participate in my university orchestra for a few years on violin, and do the occasional wedding/special events gig as a string quartet with a few friends, but I sadly don’t do much playing these days. As for piano, I’ve taken up teaching lately…it’s fun to watch those kiddos find their way around the keyboard! The one thing I’ve always wished I could do was to sing, though. Because of my years of musical training, I can carry a tune with precise pitch and rhythm, but I was not gifted with a natural singing voice at all. Just sounds terribly bland.

Has anybody heard of the Youtube Symphony Orchestra? Let’s have a Binkybunny Symphony Orchestra, lol

[Helenor]

That’s a neat idea, Peppypoo! I miss playing in a smaller group. Playing at weddings and events were a ton of fun, plus we got yummy leftover food from the wedding. I wish I could make another chamber group and do fun stuff like that again. An online one would be fun too. I’m just not sure how the youtube symphony works.

[Elrohwen]

I play the cello! Err, I did … I played for about 10 years growing up (9-19), but I’ve only played a bit off and on since then. I’ll get interested and play every day for a couple months, but then I get busy, or get bored because I don’t have lessons to prepare for. I’ve never been really into playing with groups. My high school didn’t have an orchestra or music program at all, so I joined a local (well, 45min away) youth symphony. The conductor was a jerk and most of the kids were a couple years younger than me and I didn’t really connect with them. I guess I’ve never had a really good experience with a group or I’d be more likely to try one again.

I wish I could sing! Thanks to playing cello I know when I’m in tune or out, but can’t seem to control it that well. Haha. I can tell every note that’s out of tune and it’s so annoying! I think it would be fun to take lessons because I bet I have a good base to learn from and at least I could sing along to the radio without cringing.

[peppypoo]

Haha I love doing gigs! Super easy music, good food, and the pay is several times higher than for any other kind of job I can find. Too bad it isn’t more of a regular thing, lol. I absolutely love chamber music too, in general…I think it’s my favorite to play in (compared to solo and orchestra).

Youtube symphony orchestra is a thing they started a few years ago; people sent in videos of their audition, they got some big shot conductor to conduct the orchestra, and flew in to play at Carnegie Hall (2009) and the Sydney Opera House (2011). Every time it comes around I entertain the idea of participating, but I’m too lazy, lol. I don’t quiiiite think we have the logistics to pull something like that off, but next time I play I’ll pretend I’m playing for all our bunnies .

[edit] Oh man, between me, Helenor, and Elrohwen, we almost have a quartet here!

[Helenor]

We just need another violinist!

Do your bunnies enjoy the music you guys produce? Panko seems to enjoy it since I’ve seen him binky around when I play sometimes. I’m very careful to keep my case closed so that curious little bunnies don’t think that my viola is an expensive chew toy!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

I sing. I recorded a video at some point just for the members of BB. It should be on my YouTube :]

[Elrohwen]

My townhouse doesn’t really have room for me to play on the main level (plus it’s hardwood, and getting a cello to stay still on hardwood is annoying). All of the times I’ve played I’ve sat in the upstairs hallway, so I’m not sure if the bunnies liked it or not.

Growing up I always had gerbils and their cage was in the dining room, right by where I would play. They loved it and it was so cute to see them come out of their little house and sit there watching me.

[Elrohwen]

Rachel, I will head over to YouTube as soon as I get out of this boring meeting!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Found it… this was over two years ago now, but it was made for the lovely folks here on BB. I will take suggestions for a new one for y’all

[Helenor]

Ooh, that sounds lovely! Do you sing in a choir, musicals, or anything?

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

I’ve done it all at different points in my life. Right now it’s just for leisure then with the occasional coffee shop or restaurant-type performance. I really should get back into it. There aren’t many things I truly am passionate about, but singing is one of them :]

[Lani]

I always wanted to play the violin! I tried when I was in the 4th grade but I never got it to sound like anything more than tortured screeching

However, I do play the flute, or well, I did until I graduated from high school. I played consistently in school bands from 5th-12th grade; proud to admit that yes, I was a band geek, in school orchestras and marching band and all of that After I graduated I kind of stopped playing but I do every now and again. I’ve actually thought about trying to audition for a local ametuer group. Playing with a group is so much more rewarding that just playing at home by myself. I might try playing for Oreo and see if she likes it or if she ends up thumping at me

[peppypoo]

My buns have always been pretty ambivalent to music. However, my mom keeps a jar of treats by the piano at home, so now Remi will come running from wherever he is in the house when he hears someone playing, then commence to beg for treats . HERE is a picture of him begging for treats from my sister, who is sitting at the piano.

Rachel, that sounds amazing, I’m so jealous! I would looove to do something like that, but alas, my voice is completely uninteresting, lol.

[Elrohwen]

Rachel, that was awesome! You’re so lucky to have such a talent!

[jerseygirl]

Just got back from hunting down Rachels youtube only to find she embedded it here. lol So bluesy/soul : ) Yes, you really, really should get back into it!

I knew I’d be reading this thread with mixed feelings of admiration and jealousy. I call myself a music appreciator more then having any musical ability. Like I know enough to know I’m not good. Lol.   I learnt piano when I was about 7 but stopped (can’t recall why).   When I was 15, I started to learn again but I was really bad about practice so I never really improved. I’d imagined as an adult I’d pick it up again and be more diligent but life happens and I other stuff takes priority.
I always learn better by ear rather then reading music. If my teacher played a new piece first, I was able to pick it up quicker.
Piano is my 1st love and I use to think I’d like to try violin though I’d never held one in my life! I was later told it was often chosen to learn viloin after piano…Is there some truth to that Peppy?
 

[Elrohwen]

Jersey, I think the trick to musical instruments is just playing a long time and taking lessons. No secrets here! Haha. When I was 18 and doing my teacher’s recitals, the majority of the kids were pretty little. At the end, all of the parents would come up to me and say how fantastic I was, and I would tell them that if their kids kept playing until 18, they’d be just as good 😛 I’m sure some people have innate talent, but I’m not one of them. When I picked the cello, my mom said I had to play until I graduated high school – she had quit piano as a kid and always regretted it. I’m so glad she made me stick with it! I plan to do the same thing with my kid(s) if they’re interested in music.

Now that I’m an adult I have a terrible time picking anything up. I know what it’s like to be good at the cello, and being bad at it is so frustrating to me (as is trying to learn a new instrument). I wish I were one of those people who could pick up a new instrument and really learn it, even as an adult. I’m easily frustrated when I suck at things 🙂

[jerseygirl]

Now that I’m an adult I have a terrible time picking anything up. I know what it’s like to be good at the cello, and being bad at it is so frustrating to me (as is trying to learn a new instrument). I wish I were one of those people who could pick up a new instrument and really learn it, even as an adult. I’m easily frustrated when I suck at things 🙂

Oh yeah, I hear you! I feel like I missed the boat a bit in not getting more of a foundation established when I was younger. I do believe one could learn anythinh as an adult if you put your mind to it, but we’re much more self critical and may have establish bad habits that are harder to over come. Plus more likely for our minds to be distracted by other stuff.

[Sarita]

Wow, Rachel, that was amazing!!!!

[Elrohwen]

Posted By jerseygirl on 04/27/2011 12:16 PM

Now that I’m an adult I have a terrible time picking anything up. I know what it’s like to be good at the cello, and being bad at it is so frustrating to me (as is trying to learn a new instrument). I wish I were one of those people who could pick up a new instrument and really learn it, even as an adult. I’m easily frustrated when I suck at things 🙂

Oh yeah, I hear you! I feel like I missed the boat a bit in not getting more of a foundation established when I was younger. I do believe one could learn anythinh as an adult if you put your mind to it, but we’re much more self critical and may have establish bad habits that are harder to over come. Plus more likely for our minds to be distracted by other stuff.

 

I completely agree! It’s so easy to just go with the flow when you’re young, but as adults we’re obsessed with being competent. At least I know I am! Haha. I’m so self-critical while learning new skills.

I know people who have just picked up the guitar and stuck with it until they learned. I wish I had the patience for that!

[Sarita]

I have never played any musical instrument – I took piano lessons on one of those fake pianos one time but didn’t have a real piano at home to practice on. I’d love to play the piano.

I’m not sure though I could play anything where I had to blow in it or something like that anymore – I’m not sure I would have the stamina for that – I can at least sit down at a piano.

I admire anyone who can sing or play a musical instrument.

[LoveChaCha]

Rachel, I think you have an incredible voice O_O!

[AbbyGirl]

I used to play bass guitar. I played for church but I just haven’t had time to get involved again since I had my girls. I also LOVE to sing. Another thing I’ve done for church for a very long time now and I have been in a few musicals when I was younger.

[kralspace]

I envy those with musical talent. I was forced into piano lessons from the age of 8-12 and played just as bad on the last day as I did the first, just took a few years for my parents to figure out I had no talent at all there!

But I’m great at setting up chairs and stands for our cyber symphony!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Thanks for the kind words
/blushes

[skibunny8503]

I was in concert band in middle and high school and marching band in high school. I played the Alto Saxophone. It was either that or the drums (my mom played saxophone and my dad played drums in school), parents weren’t going to buy me an instrument haha! I really enjoyed playing the saxophone and if I dug it out today I still remember all the notes and how to play sheet music.

[Sonn]

My whole family is musical in one way or another most singing my dad plays any kind of guitar. My older family members play banjo. My mom sister and dad also write songs pretty well.

I play guitar, drums, steel guitar and the lap harp. I can kind of sort of play a keyboard but mainly classical. I played the xylophone in school LOL

I do it for my own enjoyment never played in a group or anything like that.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I love listening to anyone play any sort of instrument. Music has always interested me. Looks like we’ve got a lot of talent here. That doesn’t surprise me because you’re all such a wonderful bunch!

I play acoustic guitar. I used to be obsessed with my guitar but it gets picked up much less frequently now which I’m sad about but I just don’t have the time. My bf plays guitar too and we have 4 different guitars between us. He’s much better than me I must admit. I have a bit of envy for anyone who can play their instruments in front of a crowd. I get nervous just playing a song for my friends.

Lately I’ve been very much enjoying listening to classical guitar and I would like to try my hand at it. I mostly play folk songs and rock but maybe a different direction would help me get back into it. Guitar was a strong like between my Dad and me. He taught me to play. We didn’t have much in common except for music.

I also sing…but only in the car.  I’m one of those weirdo’s you see rocking out in the car at a red light.

[Kate Monster]

I play piano, just recreationally now though. I did some competition and such when I was a kid and it was mostly classical stuff. But now that I play by and for myself I’m teaching myself more contemporary American styles, jazz, blues, ragtime and such.

[Author]

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