I chose the violin as my instrument in third grade, and I stuck with it through graduation. But, once high school was behind me, I decided the violin was no longer for me; I tucked it away in a closet and vowed to learn something new.

It wasn't a quick process. And, admittedly, I went about it all wrong. I never signed up for lessons, for one thing - in part because I wasn't dedicated enough to the idea to commit the time and money, but mostly because I couldn't settle on an instrument to learn. I thought about the guitar ... but it seemed like everyone could play that one. I wanted something a little different.

Trying to find that something became a several-year odyssey. I bought pennywhistles and recorders. I bought a lap dulcimer and a mandolin. I made space in my home for a large electric keyboard. I ordered a mini-electric bass. I even tried my hand at the harmonica. Nothing clicked. Nothing made me want to stick with it for long. I longed to play music again, but I couldn't find my place in the band.

Then one day, while making plans to visit an out-of-state friend, he mentioned a folk-music session he would be hosting while I was there. He invited me to join in, but I lamented my lack of an instrument. And then he said the magic words: "Why don't you bring your old fiddle?"

Fiddle, eh? I never thought of it like that. And sure enough, once I dusted off that old violin and called it a fiddle, my life changed for the better. Over the next few years, I taught myself to play in folk and Irish styles. I began jamming with friends. I even ended up forming a band that's been performing now for nearly nine years.

No question about it, I had to learn a new instrument: a school violin is a far cry from an Irish fiddle. But sometimes you have to step back before you move forward. And this is one choice I've never regretted.

Learn more about this author, Tom Knapp.
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