I grew up listening to my mother play the piano, expertly, in classical mode as well as her piano records — she was v fond of Ahmad Jamal and Aretha Franklin.
We learned the recorder and soprano staff music reading in 4th grade. I taught myself to play lap dulcimer and guitar by ear, with help from musical classmates. I sang alto, and played rhythm guitar in a series of political bands — we’d play at rallies in the late 70s-early 80s. I’ve been paid for playing more than a dozen times, so “semi-professional.”
I got sick in late 80s which meant I couldn’t hear pitches accurately anymore(!) and can only sing for a short time before my throat gets too sore. Just another opportunity for me to be reborn with memories from a former life!
During the current mess, I’ve been digging up CDs I haven’t listened to in a while, and enjoying them greatly. LPs and CDs provide a musical experience of songs in a particular order, something that streaming often doesn’t offer.
Before the Safer-at-Home order, I swam at a local pool three times a week. The big shower room is the perfect setting for belting out favorite songs — it’s nice and moist so I can get through two or three. “Bread and Roses,” “How Can I Keep From Singing,” “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda,” “Pacing the Cage,” “The Parting Glass” were in frequent rotation. I’m looking forward to getting back there!
I’ll listen to almost anything (opera & heavy metal are my exceptions). I had a ball falling in love with HAMILTON. Oh hey! We’ve got a fun comm at hamiltunes. When I’m choosing, I go for “chamber folk”: acoustic music played with great skill and precise harmony, preferably with women singing lead.
Some examples: Trapezoid, Freya Epstein, Wailin’ Jennies, Wallflowers, Patty Larkin, Abigail Washburn, The Story, Nickel Creek, Crooked Still, McGarrigle Sisters.
It’s complicated
We learned the recorder and soprano staff music reading in 4th grade. I taught myself to play lap dulcimer and guitar by ear, with help from musical classmates. I sang alto, and played rhythm guitar in a series of political bands — we’d play at rallies in the late 70s-early 80s. I’ve been paid for playing more than a dozen times, so “semi-professional.”
I got sick in late 80s which meant I couldn’t hear pitches accurately anymore(!) and can only sing for a short time before my throat gets too sore. Just another opportunity for me to be reborn with memories from a former life!
During the current mess, I’ve been digging up CDs I haven’t listened to in a while, and enjoying them greatly. LPs and CDs provide a musical experience of songs in a particular order, something that streaming often doesn’t offer.
Before the Safer-at-Home order, I swam at a local pool three times a week. The big shower room is the perfect setting for belting out favorite songs — it’s nice and moist so I can get through two or three. “Bread and Roses,” “How Can I Keep From Singing,” “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda,” “Pacing the Cage,” “The Parting Glass” were in frequent rotation. I’m looking forward to getting back there!
I’ll listen to almost anything (opera & heavy metal are my exceptions). I had a ball falling in love with HAMILTON. Oh hey! We’ve got a fun comm at
Some examples: Trapezoid, Freya Epstein, Wailin’ Jennies, Wallflowers, Patty Larkin, Abigail Washburn, The Story, Nickel Creek, Crooked Still, McGarrigle Sisters.
(I’m on mobile so sorry no links right now.)