The Songs That Started It All

Terrible night again last night so I'm feeling very tired and that tends to lead to the days that I feel a bit stressed.  So instead of wallowing I'm focusing on the songs that made me want to play.

Imagine loving something so deeply but having to wait 30 years to even get within sniffing distance of it and then to have to work all day every day to 'maybe' finally win your prize.  Would that spur you on or put you off?  For me it's the former, the chance to finally play was what pushed me beyond the initial difficulties and my passion & appreciation for playing is what spurs me on.  So what started this crazy passion?  Actually I've loved music since I was a tiny tot, I've always revered musicians but there are a couple of songs that made me desperate to play, a couple that touched my heart and stayed with me.  I've learn't to play one of them and the feeling was every bit as amazing as I'd imagined.

Now the drums are just about any song on the planet,  when I listen to a song drums are and always have been my main focus.  Not because they're my favourite instrument but because I like bass and I like beat.  It's the first place my head goes!  I think that's why I like bass so much although I didn't think I would, now I'm learning it I'm hearing the instrument so much more in songs and realising how much I love bass lines, I probably always did but didn't realise it.

Piano is a funny one because although I've always romanticised playing piano I don't actually like that much piano in songs, not even syth really.  But when it comes to playing I love the beautiful melodies that come out of it so this is one where it's about playing not about listening.  Probably why I'm struggling with this latest song because it's all piano and I love it to bits but as a song it's sooooo far away from what I listen to.  Probably the only songs I grew up with that made me want to play was Hey Bulldog by The Beatles & Patricia The Stripper by Chris De Burgh (yep that ones back!).

Now guitar - ah beautiful guitar.  That most definitely 100% comes from hearing it in music and there are a few particular songs that sent shivers down my spine.  Anything Mark Knopfler did but the main ones were:

Is There Anybody Out There - Pink Floyd
Bird Of Paradise - Snowy White
Forever Autumn - Jeff Wayne (The War Of The Worlds)

Not the most amazing songs nor the most skilled but there was something in the beauty of the guitar, even the smallest sections in these that make my heart melt.

I was just a little girl when I heard these and I fell in love with the guitar then.  I carried that passion for 30 years until I finally began to learn and much to my heartbreak discovered I have NO natural talent.  It's been a real battle to play and full of so much doubt but my love for it and my sheer stubbornness pushes me on.

Here I am playing Is There Anybody Out There for you.  Not well - every time I click record I tend to lost 50% of my playing ability but never mind :)