Music

Todd: OK, Adrienne, let's talk about abilities. What are you good at?

Adrienne: Um, I don't know.

Todd: You don't know?

Adrienne: I really don't know!

Todd: Well, I was looking at your photos, and you can play the violin.

Adrienne: That's true!

Todd: And you can sing very well.

Adrienne: Ah, I can sing some.

Todd: OK, so, tell us about playing the violin.

Adrienne: I really enjoy playing the violin. I've been playing for many, many years since I was a little girl and everyone in my family plays an instrument so it's part of what we do together as a family.

Todd: So when you were little you practiced every day?

Adrienne: I did. My mom made me. I didn't have a choice. It's good for discipline though, or at least that's what she told me.

Todd: So, how would you practice? Did you have a tutor come over to your house?

Adrienne: No, I had a violin teacher once a week and when I was really small I went to group lessons also, so it was once a week with a private and once a week with a group.

Todd: Wow! That's a lot. What did you think about the violin when you were little?

Adrienne: I don't remember thinking about it. I don't even remember learning how to play. I was only two so (so young) I know. I was still in diapers, but my mom said that when I had my first recital that I really wanted to play in the recital and she said I absolutely could not play on stage in a diaper so that's basically how she got me out of my diapers. So she says!

Todd: When did you stop playing?

Adrienne: I haven't stopped.

Todd: Oh, you still practice.

Adrienne: I still play although I don't have my violin here in Japan, right now. I'm kind of on a break I guess. I just don't like to carry it around overseas.

Todd: Is it hard to be away from your violin?

Adrienne: It is sometimes. I miss it. I miss playing with my family too, cause we're kind of like the Van Trap family, which you know from the movie The Sound of Music.

Todd: No, no, I don't. I've never seen the movie.

Adrienne: Oh, you haven't? The Sound of Music is about a family in, I think it's Austria and they all play an instrument or sing and it's a World War II movie and that's how they escape the Nazis, from singing or something. It's kind of like that, except for without the war.

Todd: Well, I have to see the movie so!

Adrienne: Yeah, you should.

Todd: So are you going to play the violin for me sometime?

Adrienne: Sure! If you can find a violin I will.