Booming basses, strumming guitars, and slamming drums are all part of the norm in junior Roxana Huve’s life. It was only six years ago when Huve picked up an instrument and began exploring the world of music on a routine basis. Now, many years later, she has learned a multitude of different instruments and performs in her own band “Alligator Elevator.”
“When I was little I had a lot of band angst,” Huve said. “I was very adamant on being in a band, but I didn’t like any of the instruments at all. I would just keep switching my instrument.”
Huve’s indecisiveness would soon become a familiar process, and each instrument either did not spark any interest, or she was discouraged from playing it by her former band teacher.
“I remember I hated my sixth grade band teacher.” Huve said. “I was like, ‘I want to play trombone,’ and she was like, ‘No, that’s too big for you.’ I wanted to play trumpet and she was like ‘No, there are too many trumpet players.’ I wanted to play saxophone. ‘Nope, too big for you.’ So she made me play clarinet, and I hated that so much. It wasn’t a decision I was making.”
With each shift from one instrument to another, Huve would become acquainted with the learning process, eventually using her extensive history with each instrument to her advantage.
“I know it’s different for each instrument,” Huve said. “I know how to play on brass mouthpieces, how to play on reeds, and I know all the C [clef] instruments. So I already have those skills, and I have to translate the knowledge I have from one instrument to another. When I would play saxophone, I would first learn it on guitar, then try to play it on saxophone later. I already know the practical application of blowing and pressing fingers, but then it’s up to figuring out what notes to play and what sounds right.”
But even with an affinity for learning new instruments, not everyone in Huve’s life was supportive.
“My family aren’t musicians,” Huve said. “When I started playing, especially with the trumpet because it was really loud, it was one of my family’s complaints. And the entire household was not encouraging. I know some musicians who are from a household [with] parents who are musicians, and I didn’t have that.”
Though music has a solid role in Huve’s life, she realizes it may not be realistic in the long-run. As music is a high-competitive industry, it takes a lot of effort and performance to make a steady income.
“I would like to live a comfortable life, meaning doing what I like, but also getting money,” Huve said. “And I don’t need to be rich. But if I were in a band, making a steady source of income, that would be a very happy place for me. I would like to just sit in a studio and just make songs. I don’t like performing. I don’t like touring. I don’t like doing what famous bands do. But to be honest, that’s what gets you the most money. So I don’t know if I can truly live comfortably without any other jobs.”
Huve’s experience has allowed her to extend her knowledge to her friends and teach them instruments as well.
“It was more like a year and a half ago when Roxana taught me how to play all those [instruments],” Bandmate Amerie Ignacio said. “The Roxana I know is a great musician because she always goes to her guitar lessons, she taught me how to play guitar, and it is really fun to play with her because she is so helpful as a teacher and is just a fun person [to be] around.”
Although Huve is the first musician in her family and has been discouraged to explore different instruments, she believed that anyone can become a musician like herself with perseverance.
“I would say to push past your difficulties… dedicating lots of your time to learn a completely new and foreign skill takes a lot of discipline,” Huve said. “Lots of people I hear pick up instruments and complain about their hands, neck, lips and more hurting, [but] don’t let discomfort and pain stop you.”
