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The Music Room


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The Music Room
Music is one of the things that I'm never without. I love music, all kinds of music (okay not all of it)..most music. Here's a little bit about my musical tastes and background.
In the Beginning
We all grow up learning little songs.."Old McDonald's Farm".."Mary Had a Little Lamb". Well my first real interest in music started when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. We were told that if we wanted to we could buy a flutophone. I think I almost drove my parents nuts with that thing. But I remember I loved it. Was always practicing songs on it.
Music Lessons
I don't know how it is other places but in 4th grade, all students have to take a music apptitude test. Based on your score they tell you, this is the type of instrument that you should be able to handle. I remember that I scored high on the test, therefore I was put into that level that could handle percussion, or double reed instruments (oboe and/or bassoon). It so happened that they were looking to start a new bassoon student and a bassoon is pretty expensive, so the school owned one, for use. This helped out my parents, who really couldn't' afford to buy me an instrument. I'm not sure if many people know what a bassoon is, but when you're in 4th grade, it's taller than you are and sounds like .."as my father put it" ..a dying cat..when played by a 4th grader.

I thought it was great. Why? Because it was one of the instruments I had seen in an orchestra on television and knew it wasn't just any old clarinet or flute. So I thought I was special playing that bassoon. Over the year, I learned to play quite well and went to many local solo and ensemble competitions..doing well enough to go onto the state level on several occasions. I have so many memories involving being in band and playing the bassoon. I practiced hours upon hours in my 8 years playing. I learned how to make my own reeds ..which is no easy task..a lot of time involved..and made each solo I played last forever in my mind.

The only thing about playing bassoon is that it doesn't lend itself well to marching band, so along the way during my "Marching band" career I played the bass drum,cymbals,glockenspiel and clarinet. I also decided to try my luck with the oboe. But the bassoon was always my primary instrument. Eventually marching band ended up with me joining Drill Team ..which led me to my love for Drum and Bugle Corps.

45's,LPs,Cassettes,CDs and MP3s
Like most teens, I found that I loved different kinds of music. One of the greatest ways to spend some time was going down to the local record store and sifting thru the LPs and 45s. Yes they still had vinyl when I was a teenager. I'll even admit to the fact I own a shoebox full of 8 track tapes.

I loved collecting 45s. Some of the first ones I can remember were Aerosmith's - "Walk This Way" and Heart's - "Magic Man". My sister Jeannine and I would sing to them in the living room with combs for mics. Oh of course we danced..too. Somewhere during that time I became obsessed with the Bee Gees. I loved everything they did. I"m sure it had a lot to do with the fact that I had a huge crush on Barry Gibb..grins I also loved bands like Kansas,Styx, REO Speedwagon..definitely a mellow time in my life.

Bang Your Head
Somewhere after the time I decided I didn't want to be a music major anymore I switched Universities, moved to a larger city and found Metal. Although I must admit I was a "closet" Head Banger. Something about the music, just made my heart race and bands like KISS, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Twisted Sister, Winger, Ratt, and Motley Crue all had music I liked and more importantly guys with "long hair". It was at that time in my life that I realized I had a "thing" for guys with long hair...made my heart beat almost as fast as the music they played.
Here and Now
What do I listen to today? It really depends on my mood. I think it's a collection of things from my life. I enjoy cello concertos, but I also enjoy Def Leppard, Richard Marx, Korn, Incubus, Creed...it's just a matter of mood and place. The most important thing is that no matter what I listen to it has to move my soul. Music is one of life's most awesome gifts. A day without music for me is a day without inspiration.
Picture coming soon