As a young child, I don't remember much music is the home. With 6 children my mother didn't have the time to, and maybe not the interest to promote music appreciation with us. I don't even remember a radio being turned on
In grade school, it wasn't until the 5th or 6th grade when some students had to buy these red flute instruments, called tonettes, and learn how to play them. Our class was not included as we were considered slow learners. On rainy days when we could not have P.E. classes outside, we had to go to the basement and dance to the songs of Pat Boone. It was horrifying having to ask a girl to dance and then proceed to step on her feet a few times while trying to dance.
In my junior year of high school, there was a choral class first thing in the morning in the gymnasium. Not sure how I ended up in the class. The first day each student had to hum to a note the teacher played on the piano. When it was over six of us boys were told to sit up in the bleachers, do our homework, don't cause a disturbance and you will get a C grade in the class. We were considered tone-deaf.
As the years went by most music I listen to was country-western or folk on the radio of whatever vehicle I was driving while doing farm work. Most of the country-western music was about how some woman left her man and his tears were flowing in his beer, not the most upbeat. During my two years in the Army most music was at the beer garden or EM (enlisted man's) club where they were playing songs dealing with the Vietnam war while we could not consume the beer fast enough.
When Celia and I were living in Cottage Grove we got involved with a group of people in Eugene, many retired teachers, some musicians that needed people to form a band to play at retirement homes. They were willing to teach us less fortunate people with no musical talents. They even provided instruments and taught us how to read music. Celia picked the flute and I the saxophone. We did not become masters at it, but it filled in for what we missed out on in those early years.
Nice story, Mike. I think it's important for every kid to have opportunities to explore music and stick with it if they so desire. I remember learning folk songs on my first nylon-strung guitar ... or how to play my mom's electronic organ. Playing combo organ in high school bands was a blast, but all that gear got sold when I went to college in Eugene. Wasn't long before I made friends who were into bluegrass, old-time and Celtic music.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Mike. I was wondering how Celua got started with her musical endeavors. I was always inspired by her pursuit of learning and playing an instrument. I still have hope of learning to play the guitar one day. Maybe our buddy, Joe Ross will teach me. He is such a gifted musician!
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