Be set free to sing or hum along

Learning and Singing Songs | For many years, I did not frequently learn or play very many songs by other artists.  I am not sure why that was the case.  I think very early on, I thought I could not play them.  Looking back, that just seems silly.   

I will say that I learned music writing music. My mom taught me theory and rhythm and all of the core stuff on piano, but once I had acquired a reasonable foundation I started right in on writing. 

It is daunting to know that when you play a song by somebody great, you will be compared to that great somebody.  Insecurity is a thief.  In recent years, I have begun to learn and occasionally play songs by other writers, either those that I stumble across that are just too special not to explore or that are favorites of mine written or shared by my musical heroes. 

Continue reading “Day Six”

Discipline | I have not always been a disciplined person. I am disciplined in some things more than others. I am sure I am far from alone in this.

Discipline begets discipline. i never saw that coming. No doubt this nugget of truth was told to me. I am sure I was either distracted or just not listening.

This riff on discipline has me thinking of seed-sowing and compound interest. I did not see that coming either.

Music | For too many years I have not really talked a lot about my musical habit. If I did talk about it, I would refer to music as “a hobby I work to pay for” or something similar.

It struck me fairly recently that those of us who play music, write music, breathe and bleed music; have been given a wonderful gift. What an amazing thing to be able to play a tune on an instrument or two. What great joy we should have if we can lay hold of enough notes to sing or hum a tune.

My mom is a piano teacher. She taught me to play the piano when I did not really want to learn. I am grateful that she persevered to teach me. Thank you, Mom.

In years past I was good to share music with friends. If you are here reading this, you are a friend to me. I know this for I have been far too good at keeping any musical goings-on in my life mostly under wraps.

Continue reading “Day Four”