text: did you play an instrument in school that could never be used by itself at home years later? i played the flute, and really... it's too loud to play in the house.  i'm sure there are many tuba players that don't really play just for the heck of it at home.  they don't really play melody.  i think it's one of those things you did in school that won't carry over to the 'real' world! lol i played clarinet in high school, and we got to play for graduation, except the year i graduated, i didn't play.  i came from a family who are all amatuer musicians.  my dad played french horn.  we would all get together every holiday and play holiday music with all my uncles, and several of us cousins. we also had a trumpet, violin, and piano.  i still have my clarinet and i can play it for/by myself any time i want.  my grandmother was a professional piano teacher and taught me how to play at age 5.