How and why did you first begin music?

[DesireInspires]

Another Beatles story? Really?!?

Ok Debbie Downer... what a constant ray of sunshine you are
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LOL! Everyone's a critic! Gotta love the Internet.

[coachdebra]

My Mother told me that my favorite toy at age two was a wood spoon and a pot. I guess I've always been a drummer at heart! My first band was with my 2 brothers, called Peter Paul and Tubs. I was 4 years old, and they stuffed a pillow under a big sweatshirt and called me tubs. Yep - fame. I was hooked.

But seriously, I come from a musical family, I was started on piano at age 6. But when I was nine and my parents asked me what instrument I wanted to focus on (My Dad plays violin, Sister plays piano, Brothers played piano, sax, clarinet and my brother Larry plays pretty much anything he puts his hands on). But all I wanted to play was the drums. Mom said - no way in @#$%. So, I switched to theater.

And that's why, while I don't consider myself a musician or songwriter - I love, love, love hanging out with you crazy people!

[Kelil]

Thanks Debbie, you have just reminded me of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OukWtE7RM-4

[mojobone]

It all started in second grade, when my mom sent me to tap dance classes, probably because while I was ahead of my grade in language skills, I was terribly physically uncoordinated. That's pretty much where I got infected; from then on, I was beating out rhythms on any available surface and constantly bouncing one knee to an internal tempo. Later, when the school passed out actual instruments, I was the only kid in the class that could get a note out of the saxophone, and off I went. Later, I added keys and guitar, so I could sing while playing. As to the why, that's a tough question. I started before I was much interested in girls, and was pretty backward, socially, so I'd have to say I was jes' born this way; I've always had a deep and abiding relationship with music, but my interest in everything else came later.

[gtrmann]

My Mom took lessons from our next door neighbor, Hammond organ. I stiil have her old Hammomd A100 series...... I took a few lessons when I was preschool age. My older brother played the violin in elemenatry school and switched to coronet when in Middle school. I inherited his violing in elemantary school and played for a couple years, but stopped soon after starting middle school. In high school I started listening to Hendrix, and was introduced to Trower by a guitar playing buddy. We both went to see Trower around '73, and pushed our way up front about the time he started " Bridge of Sighs"...... I said to myself in slightly cleaned up terms...."Holy Cow I have to do this"... I was hooked..... I actually traded my brothers violin at a pawn shop at the age of 16 for a old Ampeg Reverborocket amp... My mom was very upset with me....oops

[Mark Kaufman]

For me it was absolutely the Beatles... in the 60's, before I was old enough for Kindergarten, one of my earliest memories. I was captivated by a 45: "Eight Days a Week" and "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party". The harmonies seared themselves into my mind, and the memory of listening to them is still clear as a bell. I've chased those sounds ever since, and whenever I write a good one, I feel just like I did back then--bedazzled by sound.

[coachdebra]

Thanks Debbie, you have just reminded me of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OukWtE7RM-4

Great song! But I wasn't sure if you were talking to me (cause NOBODY calls me Debbie ) or the previous - Debbie Downer reference

[Kelil]

Sorry ''Debra'' I have a friend called Debra and I always call her Debbie so I just let it ......slip

Yes the song was directed in response to you and yes its a lovely song. Ray is fantastic.

[jdstamper]

Stephen,

Good idea for a thread!

What got me started? Born that way I guess. Mom said I was singing before talking. I remember pre-school age, I strapped on a toy guitar and played like (you guessed it) The Beatles. I remember scrawling out notes on staff paper before I knew anything about music, and my older sister would try to play the stuff on piano for me.

Jim

[Kolstad]

I come from an artistic family, but not a musical family. My father wrote poetry and mom was a painter. I think I got interested in music the day my dad said he hated rock'n roll. Must have been about 5 or 6 yo! That's when I realized what I had to do Music would give me a unique identity in the family, and freedom (doing what my father hated).. mmmwahahahahahaaaa