Never Giving Up!

by Chin Hon Vui
(Malaysia)

When I was a young child, my neighbor learned music and played piano. Everyday I listened to the sound of piano.

When I was in my secondary school, I heard that one of my classmates had started to learn piano, but I didn't have the opportunity to learn.

After I graduated secondary school I got a job and didn't think about playing an instrument until about 8 years ago, when the enthusiasm and passion to learn music came back to me.

In the beginning, I still wanted to learn piano, but it was too expensive, so I chose the violin because it was cheaper.
I also chose the violin because I saw people playing on the TV, it was SO...COOL...!!!!! I fell in love with the violin.

I continued with my violin lessons for 3 years and then stopped because I was finding it so difficult and tiring, especially having to discipline myself to keep consistent and keep practicing.

But I haven't wasted my time in these few years; I passed my Grade 5 music theory (ABRSM): 95/100 and Grade 5 violin (ABRSM): MERIT

Now another 5 years have passed where I didn't play, but now I want to pick up my violin again (not only because of the enthusiasm and passion, but I have to think about my future). I have no experience, no skills, I'm only a secondary school graduate. I'm not happy (really not happy) with my job and my life, there's no vision, no objective.

I am now 33, is it impossible to start again at this age? How do I go about getting started? How can I make plans and goals for myself?

Yours Sincerely,
Chin Hon Vui