Essay: A Youthful Passion for Music

Growing Up Rural: People, Places and Things

My mother—self-taught—possessed the remarkable ability to hear a tune on the radio and reproduce it 'by ear' on the piano. I can only imagine that my connection with music began in the womb, where I would kick back and listen while she played - almost every day

From the time I could crawl up on the piano bench, I was experimenting in the making of my own melodies. At least they sounded like melodies to me. 

When I was 5 or 6, I was asked if I’d like to start piano lessons, with the understanding that, as long as I enjoyed learning to play, the lessons would continue. They did well into my late teen years.

In my story, 'Me and My Pianos,' I mentioned how I would frequently arrive early for my lesson, finding my teacher just finishing dinner. During these moments, I would wait alone in the studio with her beautiful 19th-century grand piano. Seizing the opportunity, I would imagine myself as a composer, improvising various melodies. Quietly, she would enter the studio, listen to my improvisations, and provide feedback before we commenced the day's lesson.

I probably spent more time improvising than I did practicing the piano. This was to my detriment when I finally went to college and lacked the technical skills needed for a major in music.  Although life’s journey took me elsewhere, I have continued to improvise tunes and just enjoy making music.

I’ve been very private with my music in that the lack of training has always made me feel a bit sheepish about sharing. However, I did decide a couple years ago to archive some of it on SoundCloud leaving it up to anyone who wanted to listen to it.

I enjoy spontaneously exploring musical themes on the piano. Here are two children's songs I recorded 'live,' in which I allowed my fingers to intuitively discover their path through improvisation. This creative process fascinates me as a unique experience where the ear, mind, and hands seem to flow, with minimal conscious thought guiding the way. (1) Hey Diddle Diddle (2) Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

When my best friend in 1973 died at the age of 23 from injuries in an automobile accident, I was asked if I would organize and pack up his belongings as his mother was too grief stricken to do so. While I undertook the task his dog, Siddhartha, stayed by my side.  He was the only survivor of the head-on collision that killed four. 

I recalled how much Siddhartha had meant to my friend and could often be found riding with him on his motorcycle. He enjoyed  running and chasing after a frisbee and so, in remembrance of my friend, I composed this short piece I called “Romp”. It recalls the joy Siddhartha had being a part of Terry’s life.

I’ve only attempted to compose one song that is called ‘Softly Here’. I’ve never had the opportunity to record it as a vocal work. Instead I have this version for oboe, bassoon, violin and cello. It is based on a poem by my friend Judy Childs.

Softly here, you sleep so softly here
the darkness gently dreams
my life is feeling
Softly now, you move so softly now
You turn and touch my hair
My heart is reeling
I have been
Alone many life times
I have been
Along many hard times
I have been
A lone
Until this moment
Softly here, you sleep so softly here
The darkness gently dreams
My heart is, believing
I am home
After many life times
I am home
After many hard times
Softly here, dreaming with you

As with “Softly Here”, I’ve enjoyed exploring counterpoint in music which is the  technique of composing more than one melody in conjunction with another. In other words you hear two or more themes that together create the musical theme..

Ballet is one art form that I enjoy in addition to other performing arts. I, for a number of years, attended the local Instaballet presentations during Eugene’s First Friday Art Walk. Reflecting on this experience I composed these two duets for oboe and cello, two of my favorite instruments. Just as in dance, these duets play and contrast themes that when heard together are a musical whole. Duet for Oboe and Cello No.2 and Duet for Oboe and Cello No. 3.

I’ve not composed music for awhile as life has had other things for me to be concerned about. But I like that I once wrote often and I can now enjoy those melodies from the past. My youthful passion for music has greatly enriched my life and opened my ears to the amazing soundscape of the world around me.