January 19, 1965
#1 song on WABC: I Feel Fine (Beatles)
I didn't go to Wykeham Rise today - I couldn't. I probably won't go anymore. No transportation. I wish in a way I could go on, but unfortunately no luck. No V, either. I like him. I wonder what he thinks about me! Probably not much. I wish I had a chance to talk with him and really get to know him.
SIGH!
Love's Labours Lost
January 19, 2023
What a glum day! And so my musical training ended. Being dependent on my older brother to drive us both there, when he quit, I was done. I can still feel that mixture of relief and disappointment, that uncomfortable place between what I wanted and feared. It would be nearly a quarter of a century before I would sign myself up for music lessons again. Using the excuse of my daughter’s desire to learn to play the violin, I found a Suzuki method teacher who also played folk fiddle. The Suzuki method involves parents in the early stages, so the child has reinforcement between lessons. We learned violin together for several weeks, and then I embarked on a twenty-year “career” playing Irish fiddle. I wasn’t a great fiddler, but I could keep up with the rest of my small amateur band. Having a teacher who was about my age was a real advantage; she would ask if I had much time to practice in the past week, and I’d say “no”, and we’d both nod and laugh and get on with the lesson.
Unlike fifteen year old Jo, middle-aged Jo had no dreams of fame, just a desire to enjoy the music and watch people dance to our tunes. It was great fun while it lasted. Then, one sunny autumn weekend, I caught a football wrong and broke the middle finger on my right hand. There went my grip; I couldn’t turn the tuning pegs on my fiddle, and holding the bow all the way through a jig set was impossible.
Before you start to feel sorry for me, let me reassure you.
I hardly miss it. I switched back to singing in various groups, and when my (very) musical husband is out of the house, I play the piano. My years as a fiddler introduced me to some wonderful artists and music that still enrich my life nearly every day. My daughter still plays the violin, and listening to her fills me with joy and gratitude.