I took piano lessons for 8 years and a year in college and still never learned to play well. Same with the flute and sax. I did a bit better with the guitar, but nothing to write home about.
My BA is in piano and music education, with minor in general arts. Guitar was due to the fact that Beatles were forbidden, but of course, some music trickled in. I was a teenager, and I absolutely had to learn to play “Yesterday.” So I did.
After that, people found their own ways and means to adjust and adapt. My mother had a talent for languages, and accountants are needed everywhere, so she had no problem. My father, though, never actually learned English, hard as he had tried, beyond a few simple phrases. It was obvious that he wouldn’t be able to pass the tests required to confirm his dentist qualifications. People all around him were advising a change of profession: drive a cab or slice meats at a Russian deli. But he persevered, worked a night shift in a bakery, and during the day helped a Russian dentist without getting paid, to learn the materials and terminology. Then he refused our help to call “help wanted” ads, called the first one himself, switched to Yiddish on the second sentence, got a job as a dental technician, and worked there till retirement, ending up a lab manager. This kind of attitude is in our blood.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Love these — but no sound?
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Aha.. good idea.
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Oh Judy what a fun gallery of photos you have for this week. 😀
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Who is playing the ukelele?
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I had a friend who is a member of a ukelele group. This was at one of their parties but I don’t know the name of the lady.
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It’s way cool. We also have a friend who plays it and we sometimes get together with a couple guitars, me on the piano, and him on ukelele and jam.
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I played the guitar for about 5 years but haven’t lately. Still have two, however.
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I also play guitar but on such an amateurish level (self-taught), that when real guitarists jam with us, I humbly play piano.
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I took piano lessons for 8 years and a year in college and still never learned to play well. Same with the flute and sax. I did a bit better with the guitar, but nothing to write home about.
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My BA is in piano and music education, with minor in general arts. Guitar was due to the fact that Beatles were forbidden, but of course, some music trickled in. I was a teenager, and I absolutely had to learn to play “Yesterday.” So I did.
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Have you seen the film “Yesterday?” If not, you absolutely must!!!!
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I have not and will do so immediately, thank you.
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When you’ve seen it, let me know what you think. Loved that film.
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Watched it last night and loved it!
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So glad. I watched it twice.
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My husband and I thank you for recommending it.
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You continually surprise me with your life experience, Dolly.
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My life experience is pretty standard, with little variations, for every Russian Jew of my generation. Nothing special.
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But after that, as well.
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After that, people found their own ways and means to adjust and adapt. My mother had a talent for languages, and accountants are needed everywhere, so she had no problem. My father, though, never actually learned English, hard as he had tried, beyond a few simple phrases. It was obvious that he wouldn’t be able to pass the tests required to confirm his dentist qualifications. People all around him were advising a change of profession: drive a cab or slice meats at a Russian deli. But he persevered, worked a night shift in a bakery, and during the day helped a Russian dentist without getting paid, to learn the materials and terminology. Then he refused our help to call “help wanted” ads, called the first one himself, switched to Yiddish on the second sentence, got a job as a dental technician, and worked there till retirement, ending up a lab manager. This kind of attitude is in our blood.
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Well, you’ve done it. Roused me to tears again. Your dear father. Good for him.
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Thank you for your empathy and understanding, dear Judy!
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My mother taught me to play the uke when I was young but we only played two songs..ha.
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As long as you know the principle of it, you can do a “do-it-yourself” thingie.
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Our songs were “The Cannibal King” and “My Gal’s a Corker.”
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