My plan to learn to play the cello (大提琴) was a health y choice. So I took the next innocent step of going to a shop that sells and rents string instruments, especially violins, violas, and cellos. The place was a hole-in-the-wall, up a steep flight of stairs. Instruments left a narrow path to the counter where a woman with grey hair and warm eyes greeted me. Since I couldn’t form a question about what I wanted, I just stood there exploring the scene, which felt immensely pleasurable.
I rented a cello, a bow, and a case to hold them. What attracted me to the cello was its enormous size and its soft, smooth, and memorable sounds. It’s an instrument made of beautifully polished wood that I could wrap my arms around and feel its powerful vibrations when the strings were played. That was a good starting point for me. The only problem was that I didn’t know how to play it.
There’s a popular belief that the cello is a particularly difficult instrument to learn. Another is the admonition, “Don’t bother if you are a beginner over age 10!” Well, I was 70, and what others thought no longer influenced me. And besides, I thought of the words of Dr. Cohen, who suggested that learning causes physical changes in the brain.
So I found a teacher who had respect for older adult beginners and I practiced diligently, daily for years, and sometimes disheartened, but I kept up. I’m happy to report that now, more than a decade later, I can hold my own in a string trio and two quartets (two violins, a viola, and me, the female cello)and even a senior community band. Of course, I’ll never sound like Yo-Yo Ma but you could recognize a Mozart piece if you heard me play it. And, more importantly, I don’t need to please anyone but myself.
Whether it’s a pleasurable pastime or a new career, the starting point is the same: wonder, curiosity, determination, and the desire to keep your brain sharp.
4. How did the writer feel in the shop?
A.Amused by the shop assistant. |
B.Anxious for a live performance. |
C.Pleased at the nice music atmosphere. |
D.Curious about where to find a teacher. |
5. What does the underlined word “admonition” in paragraph 3 mean?
A.Approval. | B.Criticism. |
C.Puzzlement. | D.Warning. |
6. Why does the writer mention Dr. Cohen in paragraph 3?
A.To recommend a reliable doctor. |
B.To provide proof for common belief. |
C.To add another reason for her decision. |
D.To stress the crucial function of the brain. |
7. Which of the following can best convey the writer’s idea?
A.Art is man’s second nature. |
B.One is never too old to learn. |
C.Education is the key to success. |
D.Happiness is the best form of health. |