Music has been an essential part of my life for many years, not just listening to, and enjoying, but also attempting to create, and play.
This started I guess at a very young age, where I spent many hours sitting in draughty halls, at various Yorkshire Coal Mines, listening to my parents practicing in the Colliery band.It was inevitable that would follow in the family footsteps, which of course meant playing a Tenor Horn, in the School Brass band.
The Inevitability of this decision, doesn’t necessarily mean that I embraced this instrument with much joy. My enthusiasm for the school band would hover somewhere around “reluctant”, and occasionally drop to “I want to give up.” Usually this happened when I found myself sitting in the middle of terrible, rasping, squeaking, badly tuned noise that was supposed to be a much loved piece of classical music ….
The highlight of my School Music career, was a beautiful Tenor Horn solo I delivered as part part of the annual “School Speech Night” Through my rose tinted glasses, I believe the band gave a passable performance of a popular tune at the time, “Captain Beaky and His Band” it was a long way from Prokofiev, but much more in keeping with the capabilities of the souls pressed ganged into performing. There were a couple of sections in the the piece, which gave me the opportunity to showcase my Horn skills, along with a bit of impromptu improvisation, not because I was showing off, but because my music slid off the stand about three bars before I started my solo…
From there I abandoned the Tenor Horn and many local Brass musicians breathed a sigh of relief…Instead I began to explore other forms of musical expression, the Harmonica, Analog Synthesizers, and Drums. I still keep a couple of harmonicas, an instrument for which I have a genuine fondness.
I continued to play socially, but also got involved with the Music Industry in a more practical fashion. I took on a job as Backstage Security at concerts and festivals. I made some really useful contacts in this time, which led to some more fascinating musical experiences… Yes, you read that right, Backstage Security. This was at a stage in my life when people would take one look at me, and decide it was best not to argue. One thing led to another, and before long I was roped in to read stage plans, and subsequently asked to assist in setting the main stage between acts. It was fun, and I got to work with some big names over a couple of years. It was during this time, when I got to spend some time in the company of one of the worlds finest harmonica players. We chatted, and jammed, but mostly I listened and learned because I was somewhat starstruck 🙂
For the best part of my adult life, I have always had a Piano, I tinker, play, and occasionally produce a sound that doesn’t cause pain in any musically sympathetic people within ear shot. My current Piano a Yamaha digital grand is about to get a new lease of life….The Piano is going to be joined by a most remarkable musical instrument. An instrument invented in the early 1900s and capable of incredible subtlety and expression, despite the fact that the instrument itself, is not touched whilst it is being played. It is of course a Theremin
The Theremin has really caught my attention, and over the long weekend, I have watched literally dozens of performances on you tube, with the players demonstrating the incredible versatility of this very unusual instrument.
Have a listen, and check out how it is played here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XQN9XDnRm4
Inspired by the beautiful music and creative possibilities I have decided to teach myself the Theremin, this will be my Therapy. I’ve also decided to buy Jane some Ear Plugs, this will be my insurance.
- Listen to Capt Beaky here, and keep your ears peeled for the Horn Solo… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r2mPdsPqrw
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