12 February, 2017

 “So….Do You Play??”

Jodie and I recently talked about her favorite music from “back in the day” (well….her day anyway), so I thought I’d go ahead and write about the two musical instruments in the crystal collection. (smile)  The title of this instalment is taken from a question that I still get asked today, when I’m at one of the venues here watching a performance by my friends Sidro’s Armada.  Or when I might be observed groovin’ to smooth jazz as my buddy David blows his sax, or I’m kickin’ it to the hip hop sounds of the band known as Zowie Bowie, all of whom JoJo’s met over the course of her very rare trips to Sin City!! (ha,ha,ha)

I’m usually interacting with the bands during their breaks, and even sometimes while they’re up on stage.  People in the audience (I guess understandably) then assume that I’m either a former member of the band, or I perform in another band in town….or at least that I’m a musician in some fashion or form.

While I’d love to be able to answer by saying yes, and then promoting whatever musical activity I’m involved in, I always answer by saying that I’m a musician wannabe, and just a good, longtime friend of the band!! (smile)  However….

There was a time when I did indeed play both of the instruments featured in these photos.  When I was in the 5^th grade, my mother decided that I should have a well-rounded background in music, and “encouraged me”, (yeah, “encouraged”….I’ll call it that) to participate in the school chorus, and the orchestra.  Where the idea came from I do not know to this day, nor did I ever ask her many years later.

She did introduce all three of her children to classical music and (believe it or not) the Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas (famous pieces from them I can still sing today!!) and other disciplines that the other neighborhood kids did not seem to have had exposure to.  Of course now, I realize that I was given such an incredible gift by having had that kind of “home schooling” if you will.

Anyway….at the time, I was much more interested in playing baseball, football and basketball with the guys, and had no interest whatsoever in orchestra and chorus, although playing an instrument was usually considered pretty cool among the kids in the neighborhood.  Well, once mom had the “honey wouldn’t it be nice if Skip sang and played in the school orchestra” talk with my dad, my fate was sealed. (sigh)

He was a very noted singer in the church, and everybody assumed that since I had a relatively nice speaking voice (even as a kid), that I should be able to sing too.  And so the lessons began!!  I actually used to agonize on the days when the guys were on their way to the park to play ball…. and I had to put in an hour of Flute practice!! (groan)

I ended up playing Flute in the orchestra, and actually came to like it very much!!  I remember that I was second chair next to a lovely little Hawaiian girl, Laura (I wonder where she is today), and I also sang in the school glee club.  I’ll never forget that in 1961, I was chosen to be in a 100 voice Los Angeles City Schools Chorus, and we performed a one night concert in the Shrine Auditorium.

Somehow during the next couple of my teenage years, Mom was able to get us a piano (in that little 3 bedroom apartment we lived in), and I began to self-teach myself to play a few tunes on it.  Yes, I actually was pretty good and used to play a number of what were the popular songs at the time, as well as some movie themes such as Ferrante & Teicher’s theme from “Exodus”, and Miklos Rozsa’s theme from the classic “King of Kings”.

I did try to re-visit playing the Flute while I was serving overseas in the Air Force in 1971 believe it or not, but I didn’t stick with it.

Fast forward to 1999.  I’m at MATTEL at that time and was looking for something to do as a recreational activity.  I’m driving home from work one day and happened to take a different route….one that took me past a place named Ogura Flute.  I stop in and ask about lessons, and soon I was being re-introduced to my cool childhood instrument by my lovely instructor Keiko. (I wonder where she is now too!!)

I studied for a year, and actually performed in two recitals.  My MATTEL Margarita Sisters, mom, and a few friends attended it and I was a nervous wreck!!  However….I did make it through my piece, and received polite applause. (ha,ha,ha)

When I was leaving MATTEL and my Hot Wheels Team, in 1999, my wonderful Hot Wheels Package Design Copywriter, Leslie presented me a tiny little gift box.  In it was this beautiful Golden Swarovski Flute & Crystal Carrying Case that you see here.  OMG….it’s so-o-o-o tiny, only 1 ½ inches long!!

I was absolutely shocked, surprised, humbled and truly touched!!  It’s one of my most treasured pieces because of the long history behind me being associated with that instrument since childhood.  Leslie didn’t know that of course. (smile)  I did play after that recital for a bit longer, but in 2000 I was experiencing some rather significant stress at work (I was now at NESTLE), and I stopped practicing.  Even though it represented a most therapeutic activity for me, I let myself procrastinate between practices much too long, and I’ve not picked it up now in 17 years!!  I have since come to regret that very much. (sigh)

As for the Piano….it was a birthday gift a number of years ago from my friend Lorraine.  When I look at these two pieces, I really get to take a trip back in time.  I’m so pleased that I have these reminders of my musical exploits.  They’re just a couple of the pieces I have that are more than just pretty little pieces of glass to look at.

I’ve had some recent conversations with David, and he’s offered to teach me the basics of the Flute again if I’d like.  I think now in my retirement years, I’m gonna (perhaps) take him up on his offer.  Imagine how nice it would be for me to be able to answer the next time I’m asked, “So….do you play??” “As a matter of fact, I do!!” (smile)