Hey all,

Just wondered how you're all faring through these hard times! I've just gone back to work from maternity leave - am now part-time, paying nursery fees and trying to sell a flat no-one wants - I'm trying to get back into playing but it's very hard when I've a) got no money whatsoever (for either lessons or replacing knackered instrument), b) got a little one whose needs have to be put first and c) close neighbours for the foreseeable future. As an adult learner it's hard to justify money for a hobby when you're skint.

Makes me wonder where all the money (and time) went over the years when I was full time......!!

How's everyone else doing?

PS - this isn't supposed to be a depressing thread - try and help me see the bright side people!

Not at all really. The only thing that's affected me otherwise is having to pay out for several things at once... Car insurance is due next month too...

When I was part time I was very skint and there would have been no way I could have justified any lessons I don't think. But then I didn't take up learning an instrument until mine were 7 and 5. In fact they started us on the piano journey!

What I would say is bear with it, even if you don't practice as much and cannot afford lessons. When I look back I am so pleased that I didn't go back to work full time (as I had intended) and spent my children's early years rearing them. After 5 (or more) years you will be able to dedicate yourself to your instrument once more. Mind you thinking about it, I probably have less free time in the evening certainly now than I did when I had 1 baby (I am talking about an older baby not the new born stage!).

I am in the 'fortunate' position of working as a midwife in the NHS and as such we don't know what recession or 'credit crunch' is as our wages are there and we don't get made redundant and there is ALWAYS plenty of overtime to do if you wish to. So no, for me the credit crunch does not exist at all.

BUT I can relate to what you are saying from previous life experience....

the only advice I have is: whatever little music you can make it will always be better than nothing, so if you can't have lessons, stick here on the forums where we have plenty of very experienced people to give you tips, try and meet up with other if any in your area for a tea/biscuit and a play around with the instruments even if it's only on a very rare occasion. The time will come when you can play a little more, afford lessons and a new instrument and you will just 'jump in' as you have kept it 'ticking along' during this time

I don't have 'credit crunch problems' I have the 'time factor problem' I work 6 days a week and on my day off I only have 5 hours to myself so I find it totally physically/mentally exhausting cramming in 1.5 hours of violin playing 6 days a week followed by 45 minutes on bass every other day or every day if I am not 'dead'

NHS midwives...

ps have you noted how I have placed fortunate in two nice little ' '

Yes I do count my lucky stars that I work in local government so whilst there are sometimes redundancies our wages aren't affected (except in terms of the rises we do or don't get).

In terms of time though, I think I'm just suffering from culture shock because I'm used to being able to be selfish and suddenly I can't be. I'm sure that's something all new parents experience! Mind you, I played my Grade 1 pieces (never did get round to the exam) to the wee one the other day and he sat and watched open mouthed so maybe he'll find my practising quite entertaining. Either that or he's got perfect pitch and is watching in fascinated horror.........

Life can sometimes be difficult but try not to see music as a hobby but as something that is part of your life and that you need in order to have a balanced life.
I also have to work long hours, have neighbours too close to my place to have an accoustic piano. But I have compromised by getting a digital one which I can play at any time without disturbing the neighbours. Buying an instrument can be expensive initially but try not to think of it as a luxury but as a necessity (unless you buy a Seinway!!! ). Just like you need a roof over your head, food, you also need music!!!!
Well, that's how I feel anyway...
Enjoy playing!!!

we 'need' music

I'm lucky that my job is secure. I'm having weekly lessons and I do feel a bit guilty for spending £30 a week but I do enjoy it and I can afford it, even though it'll be better to save that money. But life is too short, I have to enjoy it. If I was really struggling financially, then I would cut back on this luxury. I guess if I was skint, I would teach myself and meet up with friends to play for fun. Good luck.

I haven't noticed the economical problems at all, I'm relieved to say.

I don't know whether this is due to being in France (perhaps less hit than the UK - who knows) or whether it's because my industry hasn't really been affected by the downturn.

It may just be positive thinking on my part - ever since the last war, I have strictly refused to watch the news or read any newspapers - people think I'm insane for doing this, but to be honest it's been absolute bliss. I have no idea of all the scary stuff going on and I don't see any reason to read about things I can't change, simply in order to depress myself.

I wasn't really aware of the credit-crunch phenomenon until British friends starting telling me what a rotten time they were having - so perhaps because I didn't know about it, I haven't noticed it.

On the whole, I earn the same and - to be perfectly honest - prices seem to have gone down a bit so money appears to go further.

I do sympathise with all those people having a hard time of it, it must be really rotten. I have friends in the UK who found that their utilities bills doubled in the space of a few months - that's outrageous!

I agree that keeping some pleasures is essential - especially when money is tight. Save in other areas - you can buy cheaper basic foods (pasta etc) and then justify your weekly luxury of a lesson - in times when I've been really struggling financially, music (and other hobbies) have been essential to my mental well-being!

I do this. I don't think it helps for me to worry about stuff I can't fix. My boyfriend does liked to tell me depressing stories he has read though, I can't seem to break him of the habit.

As for the "credit crunch", I am a retired civil servant and a landlord. So on paper I have lost a pile of money in the values of my property, and rents have gone down a bit in this area, but on the plus side some of my mortgages are now ridiculously cheap so my income has gone up. And since I have just finished my last major renovation job, I have plenty of time to practice my violin!

same here rosfrog!
I don't read papers/magazines nor watch telly (or news)
like you I am really not interested in things 'I can't help with' anyway, and I am the 'sad' type of person that if something 'bad' was coming 'towards me' I'd probaby still stay in my annexe playing the violin and double bass (would not run to a refuge etc LOL), my son is 14 and he watches the news every morning so he can 'run to the refuge' if he chooses to

That's fantastic...but now I think of it, how do you know it was the last war if you are away from news media?
[I have visions of someone saying "haven't done that since the war you know", and they mean The Great War!]

Maizie - you're absolutely right! Perhaps there have been other wars - I have no idea!

Catherine - Go you and your violin !

JoJo - I so agree - I'm the kind that fills up at an advert and wants to help everyone (it's a bit pathetic to be honest...), but I long ago made the decision that I'd decide how and whom to help - so I frequently chase away the hunters for the various charities that line the streets of our town - I'd rather deal with things I can actually fix - a friend with no food etc - I really believe in handling the stress and pain you come into contact with and trying not to think about the huge amount that isn't in your sphere of reality (because I would go mad if I did and I can't do anything to help those people without refusing help to those in my sphere anyway) - I like to think that I've set the limits of my own little world, that I do what I can to change things that I can within it and that everything else is none of my business and I couldn't fix it anyway !

I also agree about not knowing when it's time to run. I operate on the reasonable principle that whilst forewarned is forearmed, most genetically normal humans are unable to outrun a nuclear bomb. Therefore, I'd rather not know it was coming - I too would be happily playing away at the time it hit !

Speaking of violins - I'm going to get mine out and play a wee tune.