Today I am celebrating the gratitude I feel for two of my favourite music teachers; Sister Annette and Ms. C. My motivation in creating this blog is to share my music and song writing experiences.
Musically, as a young girl, I had the privilege of taking formal piano lessons. After a few months of lessons, my piano teacher explained to my Mom that I was "wasting her money". I wasn't reading the music and I was not practicing. When my teacher played a piano piece, I would memorize it and pretend that I was reading the music. Ah haa! So no more formal piano lessons for me. When I was in grade five, I experienced the delight in receiving acoustic guitar lessons from an amazing lady, Sister Annette. I was very enthusiastic and participated weekly in the hour long "group" lessons. We played songs I had never heard of before ... my first introduction to folk music and traditional country songs. Although I could never seem to wrap my fingers around chords like B7 and F, lessons with Sister Annette gave me a love-filled start to a "late blooming" music career.
I took music classes all through out high school and played the "little" brass tuba from grade nine to grade 13. Yup! Bass clef! lol Some how I made it through those classes even though I did not read a note. I learnt which value number to press by recognizing the position of the notes in each bar. Being able to read music didn't happen for me until the summer when I found employment as a "nanny" for a cousin of mine. They lived in the country and had an upright piano. I entertained myself by spending a socially lonely summer teaching myself how to read music. All of a sudden, the world of music and creativity opened up for me. I received my first guitar and wrote my first song at the age 17. It was a lonely heart ballad that I would play on the piano. I discovered that music was my language. This all happened for me exactly in the timing I needed it to happen in. A late bloomer and I'm ok with that.
I have been blessed to have been surrounded by amazing "music" teachers. My high school music teacher demonstrated a plethora of patience with me. Ms. C is incredibly talented. She introduced me to classical music. I will never forget attending my first opera at the Stratford Theatre. http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/ "Carman" revealed my passion for music. Wow! I have such a deep respect for musicians who are dedicated to perfecting their gift.
Stay tuned for the next six weeks as I will be blogging about a Song Writing Challenge I have signed up for. Creating six songs in six weeks. Enjoy!!
I am in love with today!
much love, Robyn
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