Jackie, here's my 'music career':
When I was a kid, I'd knock on a friend's door and ask "is Johnnie coming out to play". The mother would say "no, he's practicing piano all day today". Those were the guys who turned out to be the Elton John's.
My first week at grammar school, I singed up for music and was given a violin. After a few "screech, screeches", I was told to "take it back and never bring it home again". That was the end of my music education, and I signed up for French or woodworking.
Back in the 90's I joined a barbershop chorus. I could sing the songs by ear, but was frustrated by guys who could pick up a music score and sing the right notes. I bought myself a keyboard, bought CDs, and took keyboard lessons. My buddy, who used to play in the NY Symphony and sang, tried helping me. But I could never correlate a note on a music score with what (accurately) came out of my mouth.
Fast track to 2011 or so....
I joined a ukulele band but, after 4 weeks, was ready to give up. My Scottish-born friend, on vacation in Maui with some common friends, emailed me a photo saying "I was thinking of you". I pleaded with him to buy a uke and come home to teach me. The following week, my doorbell rang and my friend was standing there with a uke. 10 minutes later he had me strumming (chords on) the uke.
I brought my friend into the uke band as our Music Director, and haven't looked back.
