Patrick: Music Learning

I’ve needed to go as far back as my childhood to explore and establish the roots of my musical journey so far.

My parents were very fond of music, whether listening to it, singing or playing the piano or organ, albeit with differing levels of competency between them. Perhaps it may have had something to do with their respective parents, who had pianos in their houses, went to church and sang hymns with the congregation, which could have had some influence on my parent’s love of music and the social aspects associated with it. 

It is likely there was an early subconscious development and appreciation of music for me. There was always music in the home and as one of four children, it was clear that music was a part of our everyday family life, ever present and always encouraged but never forced, and although my parent’s disposable income was non-existent, each of us was somehow afforded the opportunity of attending paid music lessons at some stage in our early lives. 

As a teenager I was sent for classical guitar lessons because I was developing a strong interest in this instrument. However, this was during the late 60s and sadly the lessons didn’t last long because the pull of playing electric guitar to music by the Beatles, the Stones, the Shadows etc was far and above more exciting than anything taught by a classical style of guitar playing by old man in a dingy old sitting room. 

As far as singing was concerned, I became a choir boy, then head chorister at the local church and as my boy’s voice changed there was progression to alto and finally bass parts and was something that just happened. I took part in chorus lines in Gilbert and Sullivan productions in my later teens at school and was involved in two bands, one pop and one folk music. 

There were clearly very happy memories associated with music. However actively participating in it diminished during the 70s where it seemed the norm to find girlfriends, buy homes, get married and start families and at a ridiculously young age. The result being that other than listening to records and tapes, anything else musical became largely dormant for many, many years.

On reflection playing the guitar in pop and folk bands, singing in the church choir and as part of the school’s operas clearly left deep rooted memories which became aspirations that ‘one day’ a musical interest might revive itself and become a reality with more spare time.

Adult-life was accompanied by the absolute joys of two young children and followed a period of deep sadness and crisis where solace was very often found in listening to the right sort of music depending on my mood. 

Having been blessed with a practical hand, an opportunity presented itself in the 90s to build a Mandola, an eight stringed instrument that provided a creative mental diversion which was also musical. During its construction I was interested in and was able to see in reality the relationship between maths and notes associated whilst setting the frets in the finger board to achieve as perfect a tuning as possible whatever the length of the finger board. Subsequently this instrument was used for a time by a folk band and continues to be treated with respect by me.

I have always ‘picked up’ music when needed and found it comforting in times of sadness and joy. Almost two generations on, I knew I could sing in tune, strum (not play) a guitar, sing harmonies in tunes, sight read music (in a rusty fashion) and know the treble and bass clef, but was largely inactive musically and that could only be described as an unfulfilled gap in my life.

What was lacking was the need to understand the theory associated with music and combine it with the practical aspects such as singing and playing it. 

I am fortunate to live in Felton with my wife where over the recent years there are opportunities to participate in an increasingly diverse range of musical and music learning activities provided by talented and motivated musicians within the village. This has been the catalyst in motivating me to attempt to fulfil earlier aspirations associated with learning in later adulthood and filling that gap. 

The emotions evoked with music and music learning are many. I am convinced that being able to draw on past experiences and long dormant years of basic music knowledge has undoubtedly helped in the learning process as an adult. However the inevitable and usual adverse memory changes can be both irritating and frustrating at times. 

Singing once again with different people or being part of a choir is incredibly enjoyable both socially and musically. It can be highly stimulating when experiencing sadness or joy, or those wonderful spine tingling moments in a particular piece of music. It can be challenging when learning a new piece, can be frustrating and can be irritating should someone hit a wrong note. 

There are many rewarding and interesting moments as the learning is improving confidence in my knowledge of music and is enabling me to sing more confidently, which aren’t the same thing. It also allows me to completely wind down and relax both physically and mentally from busy and stressful days.

Other members of my family have expressed a wish for a similar experience having seen the benefits music learning has given me.