My first experience with playing music was at an early age. I tried learning violin, but I didn't take it too seriously. To my dismay (today), when I've picked it up again, I had more fun scribbling all over the books in dark red crayon than actually playing music. However, only when music was required (in a formal classroom) was when I paid attention, took it seriously, and actually learned something.

My first real experience with playing music was in middle school, where I played the trumpet. I signed up for Beginning Band at Indian Ridge Middle School as just an elective, not knowing where it would take me. However, the next year, when I auditioned and joined the jazz band, I realized how fun music can be. For the next two years, I played second and third trumpet in the jazz band, and second trumpet during the summer in band camp.

However, during eighth grade, the keyboard player switched to fourth trumpet. I was interested in keyboard before this, but finally took this as my opportunity to learn piano. Although it started slowly (when you learn only one clef, it's really hard to split your mind to focus on two), I continued playing piano after middle school. I no longer play trumpet, but still play piano because of the versatility it offers. You can play piano as part of a band, or by yourself. You can play many different styles of music. With piano, the music can be as flexible as your style of music.