Been taking private mountain dulcimer lessons for the first time in my life. I hadn’t looked into it before because of financial reasons. Luckily this one is inexpensive.

I decided to stop fooling myself into thinking I could learn something without structure and outside motivation. If I don’t have those things I just can’t. I have come to accept this and now I need to work with it.

Previously I was slowly going through my book and practicing whenever, not with any regularity. Now I am forced to practice almost daily, so that I don’t show up to the session with nothing.

Having an online lesson is strange, especially getting the camera angle right to show a lap instrument haha. But since the sessions are only 30 minutes it makes more sense than driving over to the place and back.

It feels good to be playing music again. This is my first time trying to play a stringed instrument, and I am enjoying the challenge, even if it makes my hands hurt from stretching to get those chords. 🎶

A mountain dulcimer sits on a round white table with some papers, headphones and a propped up iPad. A plain wooden chair is in the background and behind that a large window with sheer white curtains. Filtered sunlight is coming in through the window.