“If music be the food of love”...
(William Shakespeare 1601 or 02)
Not much (at all) brain injury related stuff, this time. More an update on one way, in which I now fill my time, and one which has been very prevalent, of late.
I’ve mentioned this topic, on occasions before, but given the time that I am currently spending on it, I thought that it was worth a post on it, alone...
Namely...
Music – and beyond simply listening to it!
Playing it, too, and other related things....
Now music has been a part of my life, since early childhood.
As a child, I received lessons in both the piano and clarinet, and played the latter in ensembles, both in and out of school.
I was never much good at it, but it was, nevertheless a big part of my early life.
This has continued throughout adulthood (albeit in a much less formal context).
For many years this it was primarily the playing of stringed instruments – mandolin, octave mandola, six and 12 string guitars. I also played the low whistle.
As you might have guessed from the instruments, my interest before the accident was rather directed towards folk music.
In addition to playing at them, I have co-organized a few folk clubs over the years and have visited (and played at) many others. I have also attended a few folk festivals.
Moving on from this, in the latter years prior to bumping my head, I played in a band. Although I am sure we denied it, I guess that some would have called us “folk”, given that our output was primarily acoustic singer/songwriter stuff.
The band occupied a fair bit of my time...
In addition to weekly rehearsals, we played live rather a lot.
Now this was largely local, but we did undertake a French tour!
If that sounds rather grand, please let me explain...
What does “a French tour, really mean?
· First, it is in France
Box duly ticked!
· Secondly, it involves a few concerts, within a contained period
Well, our band’s driving force happened to own a second home in a coastal village in Northern France (lucky sod!).
What he did, was to identify a few small bars in that village, which hosted live music, from time to time. He then arranged for us to play at the same, within a short period of time.
Surprisingly, it went rather well; particularly since, due to our own drummer’s unavailability, his role was fulfilled by a French chap, who had never played with us before!
In England, we often played to the drunk and disinterested! In France however, the very few people in attendance, at least seemed to listen and say some nice things to us, afterwards.
That’s second box ticked!
Finally, here, I should contextualize the opening picture, before the accident I had also taken up playing the flute.
So, what has changed since the accident?
Quite a few things...
· Overarchingly, I spend even more time on it, than used to be the case.
Cliched as it might be, loss can sometimes generate opportunity.
Phil v2.0’ losses include the absence of a (very time consuming) professional life, together with an inability to undertake many other former activities (or a newfound disinterest in doing so)
What this given me though, is an awful lot more time on my hands.
I have though, come round to the view that an acceptable picture needs to be painted on this partially blank canvas.
At risk of being awfully repetitive, my emotional wellbeing is, personally very much in need of a full and worthwhile lifestyle
As might be expected, a significant part of this new life is devoted to music...
In all fairness, “significant” is a vast understatement. I know spend very many hours per day, engaging in musical activity, of one form or another.
I now have a lot more time available, so let’s get it filled up (in part) with some enjoyable things...
...and music counts as one of these.
I talked earlier about my earlier musical life. Now let’s take a look the post head-bump position
· As has always been the case, I continue listening to much recorded music. One noticeable thing is that my tastes are now rather different – I have little interest in neither folk nor heavy rock music. I know tend towards modern classical, modern jazz, and ambient techno.
And as I have alluded to before, a little-known outcome of an ABI is transformation into a Swiftie!
It would be easy to attribute this to my injury, directly. I suspect that it is more a case of now having the time, to explore different genres. Add to that, many of our aesthetic tastes shift as we get older, anyway
· Turning now to playing music.
I continue to play the flute and guitar.
So far as the latter is concerned, I have acquired very many. I personally subscribe to the view that the number of guitars which a person needs is n + 1, where “n” is the number already owned!
Regarding the range of instruments played, this grown since the accident.
I have newly taken up both bass guitar and synthesizer. I even had a dabble in playing steel pans
But it doesn’t end with listening to, and playing it...
· I have ventured for the first time, into the territory of composition.
Not lyrics – just largely techno based instrumental music.
It won’t be troubling the charts, but it certainly gives me a sense of satisfaction
· Connected with the previous bullet, I have also taken to recording my efforts and have built up some decent home-studio equipment. Now, who doesn’t have a bedroom like this?
So, as you might have gathered, music is a big part of my life. It always has been, but now it is even larger – by a very long way.
It is a genuine case of loss = opportunity
And just to wind this up, I am not alone in my choice of bedroom furnishings. My grandson appears to share my tastes in this regard!
