I’m a musician and these are the instruments I’ve played (professionally in bold). I do not teach, but I have been a teachers’ aide at Chula Vista SCPA.
Trombone
Electric Bass
Violin
Viola
‘Cello
Contrabass
Synthesizer
Percussion
Piano
Vocals
Harmonica
Guitar
Vihuela
Guitarron
Up until 3rd grade, I had only banged on pots and pans, toy drums, and a small electric organ my parents bought me from the thrift store. In 3rd grade, there was an assembly put on by the music teachers of the South Bay Union School District – Mike Pretzer, Joe Shaara, and Dale Saare. The district concert band, jazz band, and orchestra played some songs, one of which featured each of the instruments doing what it does best. As it happened, I liked the slide trombone because of its comedy, and immediately signed up for a loaner and lessons from Mr. Pretzer.
A year later, I joined the concert band on trombone and also started to learn violin from Mr. Pretzer, eventually becoming concertmaster of the orchestra. Mr. Pretzer also taught me ‘cello and viola. When the viola section was empty, I filled the void, until my brilliant friend switched to her favorite stringed instrument and I, back to mine. Indeed, for my last year of elementary school, I was concertmaster again. Also in my final year, Mr. Shaara, like a force of nature comparable to the greats of drumming – Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, taught me percussion. I would ultimately play trombone, violin, and ‘cello all professionally.
In middle school, I learned electric bass (later played professionally) for the jazz and concert bands, and two mariachi instruments, the vihuela and guitarron, from Greg Caldera. In high school, I learned how to sing from Eric Mabrey, play the standup bass classically from Conrad Bruderer, as well as the harmonica and classical guitar from Mike Luzak.
After 9/11, the local music economy tanked and what little paid work there was to be had dried up, in favor of all-volunteer ensembles. So I retired from music soon after my early graduation in ‘02, and found “legit” work.
Thanks to all my private teachers in no particular order (my long-term memory is fracked, so please yell at me if I forgot to list you)…
Tamara Paige – Strings
Adrian Skinner – Piano
Albert Palmeter – Piano
Kristina Ranger – Electric bass
John Ramirez – Strings
Malva Freymuth – Violin
Geary Thompson – Dixieland trombone
