and the savage beast of sorrow.
My parents were musicians. My mother was a concert pianist and talented on several other instruments as well. Dad was a piano tuner and also an accomplished pianist and clarinet player. I don’t remember a time when music wasn’t a major part of my life, especially as a child growing up.
From an early age, I took music lessons – you name it, I was exposed to it. Piano, violin, bassoon, cello, viola, French horn. I played publicly, both as a soloist and as a member of various groups like the #NewBrunswickYouthOrchestra, the #NewBrunswickSymphonyOrchestra, the Saint John High School band and more.
Although the formal lessons and structured musical experiences, including studying at the #RoyalAcademyofMusic in London, England, and at #AcadiaUniversity in Nova Scotia, gave me technical skills, it was playing alone or ‘winging it’ that brought out emotions and release.
I was feeling particularly sad today thinking about my son, missing him terribly, and his family. Alone in the house, I got out my trusty violin, put on some 60s folk music, and sawed along with it. Even the cat and dog seemed to enjoy the experience – at least they didn’t run yowling and howling from the room, so it couldn’t have been TOO bad on their tender ears. I’m sadly out of practice, but it did feel good.
What’s my point? If you love it, if it’s creative in any way, if it connects you with your emotions and gives you an outlet – just do it. Whether it is playing an instrument, singing, making a photograph, or writing a paragraph, it doesn’t matter – just pick up that paint brush, pen, lump of clay, or instrument and, as the old Nike commercial said, just do it. After just a few minutes of playing my ‘bum’ shoulder was aching and I had to stop, but it felt good and I will do it again – soon.
Thank. you William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night. “If music be the food of love, play on.” I will.
Capturing Cherished Memories 