Who are we?

So, who are we? We are the Heckler family, and as you might imagine, music is very important to us…as it is to you, too, or you wouldn’t be reading this now!

My wife, Kathy, and I have played music from the time we were quite young. I began playing guitar in fourth grade (if I can locate old photos, I’ll share them…maybe…) and trumpet in fifth; I also sang in school and church choirs. My wife studied piano as a child and eventually took over as her church’s pianist while in high school.

When our oldest child was seven years old and our second was five, we began speaking with them earnestly about studying the musical instrument of their choice. We both felt (and still feel, of course) that a person gains so many things from learning to play an instrument – concentration, study habits, inherent rewards, enjoyment, and teamwork skills, just to name a few. Our rules were simple: they could choose the instrument, but they must stick with it for a year; if they didn’t like it, they could switch to a different instrument after a year’s honest effort. We felt that was time enough to really understand the instrument and make a fair determination of like/dislike, take something useful away from it (for the next instrument), and hopefully avoid the “instrument churn” many parents allow themselves to suffer by letting their child try – and discard – several instruments in rapid succession.

To summarize what happened over the next few years, all three chose violin. Our oldest also can play viola, and all three sing and can play piano to some degree. The middle one also does pretty well on guitar, and the youngest does a bit of percussion work when the need arises (primarily drum set). I’ve since learned to play bass guitar fairly well…and I’ve enjoyed it far more than I ever imagined. On “regular” guitar, I’ve since gone almost exclusively classical. I find it very challenging, fun, and beautiful. I also began learning to play viola (like the great cornetist and conductor Herbert L. Clarke!) after a surgery required I lay off the trumpet for a period. My wife has been learning cello. Needless to say, our house is filled with music. 

Maybe you play one of these instruments, or something else entirely. That’s great; this site is about sharing what we all know, so feel free to comment and add your voice – and knowledge – to the conversation. And thank you for doing so!

For now, though, it’s off to play a bit. Thanks for reading, and keep playing!

Mark

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