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Difficult Balancing Act

Trying to learn the fiddle in the months before my wife delivers our first child has proven to be a tough task, especially when the weather gets nice and running starts to occupy more of my time.

Don't even ask me about playing the banjo.

The summer should be the time when I while away the evenings playing tunes on my porch, but that's easier said than done. Over the last few weeks, playing music has taken a backseat to running the local trails, barbecuing, mowing the lawn and, more recently, putting together furniture for the baby's room.

Only in the last few days have I mustered the courage to see what feeble skills remain since the last time I played the fiddle or banjo.

There are only so many hours in the day. And with so many interests, some are bound to get short shrift from time to time.

My poor banjo has been neglected the most. My plan was to use jam sessions as my primary outlet for playing the ole five-string, but it's been a couple months since I've been able to make any of the local gatherings.

This already difficult balancing act will only get harder as the months march toward Delivery Day. It may be June now, but October is right around the corner.

How do you handle balancing family life and playing music? What tricks do you use to keep up your playing when time is tight? Answer in the comments!

Comments

  1. Congrats on your little one! My daughter is now 4 and it gets a lot easier.. My playing has usually occurred at night with a blanket stuffed into the head of the banjo. Only problem is my playing has become a lot quieter of the years.

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