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How to Be a Beginner
Raise your hand if you like being bad at things. Hmm, no takers? Are you over twelve? Then it's no big surprise if you haven't tried anything brand new in years. In fact,
until recently, I know I've avoiding doing a single thing that might make me look bad. But last
June, I decided I wanted to learn how to play the
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violin. This was no easy task, as you might imagine. First of all, I don't know how to read music. I had never played an instrument before, and I was way over twelve years old. After finding a teacher (very important to the beginner!), I began the slow and painful task of learning how to learn. So how do you go back to the beginning? First of all, you have to be humble. So you stink at something, so what? Nobody is born playing the violin (or dancing well or cooking like a dream). And no one is a beginner forever if you practice.
Do it yourself:
First you have to decide what you want to learn. The sources are endless. For the arts, check out the Community College (schedules available all around town or
). The Childrens' Dance Program has ballet and tap classes for beginning adults (982-1662). People are teaching other people everywhere…what's important is to follow these directions: Start. Keep Going.
