shapeofthings | Happy, shiny things (Reply)

A month or so ago, while we were in Melbourne, I bought myself a rather special birthday present.

It's big and it's shiny and it's something I'd wanted for a long, long time but could not afford.

Now, thanks to cheap Chinese manufacture, this very pretty thing is mine, all mine.

It is my very own euphonium: something I've wanted since I started playing when I was nine years old.

I stopped playing at 15, when the instrument I was borrowing from the local Youth Club band was taken away from me following an argument with the conductor. An argument over me drinking water on stage. It was a small performance at a community festival, and I had tonsillitis. For 16 years, that was the end of my euphonium playing.

Now I'm starting again. Practising my embouchure, perfecting my pitch and excavating memories of how to read music from the deep recesses of my brain. I have to say, it's a whole lot of fun.

When I'm doing a little bit better, I'm going to start up lessons, and hopefully find a nice little orchestra to join. I'd like to make music with other people again.

I finally have my euphonium. Now I just need to work on getting my piano.

I think I'lll wait until we're not going to be moving for quite some time.