Facebook reminded me last week that I picked up an instrument to learn for the first time in August of last year. What a joy it’s been!
Last week my husband Chip and I hosted a small “thank you” event for the volunteers who did a lot for us in Northern Virginia, holding a special wedding reception so we could celebrate locally here as well as in our home state of Wisconsin.
For this celebration I made sure to bring out the three accordions I have at my disposal – and played a bit on all of them.
They are all simple but different instruments. I keep one at home and two at work. One is a “lady’s accordion” – lighter and smaller keys; the other is more traditional – and the last is a children’s accordion (not a toy; just simplified to learn on).
A man I’ve been calling my “accordion coach,” Peter DiGiovanni – was able to assist me at the event. He’s been my biggest champion out here – connecting me with instruments, knowledge and people. He played a bit himself, and we did a couple duets. His instrument is an electric one – it’s just incredible what those things can do.
Peter is also the one who gave me the children’s accordion for youths at Prince of Peace to try out.
He and I showed off a bit of the blues passages we were learning at the most recent WMAS meeting.
I’m so grateful to have found this happy instrument and all the incredible musician friends I’m connecting with, who play it!