Sunday 5 May 2013

Storytelling Sunday..................... music x

Good morning and welcome to a musically themed Storytelling Sunday. If you've never read a Storytelling Sunday then where have you been? It is a monthly blog linkup run by the wonderful Sian who blogs High in the sky. On the first Sunday of each month, bloggers around the world tell a story about something important to them. This year we have been given the task of blogging about our precious things. So today I am going to talk about the preciousness of music in my life.



I first started playing music when I was about 5 or 6 I think and I learnt the recorder. Not the most exciting instrument perhaps but it taught me how to read music a little, the importance of correct fingering, making a good sound not a noise and how to play music with others. Somewhere I have a photo of me at primary school playing in the Christmas play.


Anyway, from the recorder I started learning to play the piano. Both sets of grandparents had had pianos so lil sis and I had always hammered out a sound when on visits but then my dad joined a male voice choir in Cheshire where we lived, and the leader taught piano. His name was Ted and he was really lovely. I started learning and did quite well and so I did some exams and passed. As the years went on I also learnt to play the guitar and joined the choir. I was by now playing the flute at school and playing the the orchestra. I was also in the school choir and the school musical society. At around the age of 13 or 14 years, my piano teacher suggested to my parents that I was ok at the piano, but that my voice was my true instrument. She advised them that I should have singing lessons. So with the help of Mr Spinks my music teacher at school I started having singing lessons with this lovely lady, Lena Philips.


I was so very lucky to have lessons with her. I learnt loads not just about singing itself, but breath control, making warm sounds, how to sing a scale and arpeggio with one breath, lots about different music and songs. Through her, I entered into music competitions in Worthing, Chichester and East Grinstead and I even won some cups. One for solo singing and a couple for duets with a girl called Claire. We also had the opportunity to sing at The Purcell Rooms on The Southbank in London.


I am still lucky to have my soprano voice and love nothing better than singing around my flat and I hope singing with the Wells Cathedral Chorale in the autumn.

19 comments:

  1. How lovely to have such a talent. My precious is musically inspired this month too, though not quite so classical!

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  2. You are very lucky to have such a talent and to have a beautiful voice - I'd love to be able to sing, alas, my voice is the sort that shatters rather than soothes!

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  3. One day I will come and hear you sing in a concert... that will be so fab!
    I love to sing too, though my voice went when I developed asthma and it's not really recovered; still, I find myself singing happily again these days, as I do the laundry or some cooking - and the breathing seems to be coping better.
    Music is such a fabulous gift - both to those who can make music and to those who enjoy hearing it. James & I have many discussions about music - the mechanics & theory side, instruments, singing, and just about music we enjoy - or even don't enjoy! I love to hear him play and he's inspiring me to have another go with my guitar, now that my back is better behaved.
    Glad you get so much pleasure from your music - it is a wonderful thing and we are all so lucky, that have this gift in our lives!

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  4. Wow, what a precious talent you have! Well worth celebrating..maybe I'll get to hear you sing some day too. Or you could bring your flute and you and TSO could play duets. Wouldn't that make a brilliant layout?

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  5. Or you could record yourself and we could link to you...what a truly lovely and precious gift. Good luck with the Wells Cathedral Chorale.

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  6. Wow - what a wonderful talent to have. To be musical is such a fantastic gift to have. I often wish I could sing - My mum sang - all through my childhood until I was 15ish - wne she had an operation on her throat - and lost her voice. She is in her 80's now - but I know she still occasionally mourns its loss. I would love to hear you sing in the Choir - I have many happy memories of Wells as me eldest daughter worked there for a time. Thanks for sharing. J x

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  7. What special talents you have! You not only can play several instruments but have a lovely singing voice. You have been blessed with these precious abilities.

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  8. Music is definitely a precious - how lovely that you were able to have music lessons both instrument and voice. I do love singing in a choir - hope you enjoy the Wells choir.

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  9. Music is such a wonderful gift..I am always very envious of people who have been blessed with it!
    Alison xx

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  10. I too am envious of someone with a lovely voice, mine is awful (although I love to sing along in the car) and it must be lovely to make people happy with that talent :)

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  11. What a lovely story & so many memories of music in your life! I've always wished I had learned to play an instrument . . . hmmm, I guess it's never to late!

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  12. Oh, you are indeed blessed to have a pretty soprano voice. And I bet your recorder teacher would be proud to know that you understand all the skills learned from those early lessons.

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  13. I wish I learned to play when I was a child. I tried to get my children to study music, but they both fought it and gave it up.
    I love hearing your memories.
    Rinda

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  14. How lovely to have such talent and skill! And it will give others pleasure too ... Precious indeed ...

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  15. What a wonderful talent you have & your singing teacher sounds like a real gem. Man thanks for sharing x

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  16. You are very talented Jo! So musical!

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  17. How wonderful to find out more things like this about you, and oh to have such an amazing talent.

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  18. What a precious gift you have.

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  19. I envy anyone who can sing or play music, It can take you to another place and invoke such memories. I hope your BPD is more manageable now. I'm still trying to find something to level me out (mostly depressive, I rarely get high for more than an hour sadly because I would get more done then...)

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Hello and thank you so much for stopping by. It is always a pleasure to read the comments I receive and to meet new friends. I try and reply to comments on friend's blogs as much as possible. I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog and look forward to seeing you here again soon. Love Jo xxx