I caught the playing bug a little late really. I was 19 years old when I walked into a pub (Yes, the drinking age is 18 here) and saw a bluegrass band. This really was a cathartic moment for me. It really did have an effect. I'd been brought up with lots of music around me, recorded music played around the house as well as guitar played, very well indeed, by my brother. I'd never had any desire to actually take up an instrument though.
I truely believe it was bluegrass music itself that drew the huge connection for me. I walked out of that pub saying to myself that I was going to learn to play that kind of music. Its been on for young and old ever since. Now, after almost 30 years I'm still trying to get my head around it.....isn't that great about music, you never really conquer everything, there's always something new to learn! A couple of years after I started to play, I got interested in building mandolins. I have lived with these two addictions ever since and they have come to form who I am. Music has allowed me to travel and connect with a worldwide 'family' and that's the beauty of it. There's something about the sociology of the bluegrass story though that I feel incredibly drawn to. It is a story that fascinates me and seems to demand an elegance I can't resist. Now how does a lad from literally the other side of the planet feel such an affinity with this musical genre? Yes yes, I know Perth Western Australia is the epicentre of traditional bluegrass music but.............Just goes to show some stories are truely universal doesn't it. I personally think this must be the second time Australia has been used as a colony. I'm part of the Bluegrass Empire. Rambled too long here, back to the workbench. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "mistertaterbug" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Taterbugmando" <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 8:48 AM Subject: Why Do You/We Play? > > All, > It has been brought to my attention that maybe it would be interesting > to hear from everyone on the list regarding why there is music in > their lives, what was the inspiration in the beginning and what is it > now that drives the urge to continue? I mean, let's face it, taking up > an instrument is a life-long endeavor, so what is it about it that > makes that part of it not an issue, especially considering the human > desire for more immediate gratification? What is it about music in all > its genres and moods that you all find so irresistible that you have > spent so much of your lives pursuing it like an addiction? How do you > react when you hear good melodies(I see pictures personally)? Did/do > you have relatives that were/are musicians(this includes your kids)? > > I once read that when a large group of people join together for any > given event, there is a good chance that at least some of the people > in attendance are related, however distant. So, I guess that makes us > a family of sorts, however distant. Sure, it sounds far-fetched but I > believe there is some evidence to the truth of it all. That idea makes > it real to me, gives me something I can sink my teeth into that is far > more than fads or trends or awards or the rest of it. We are dealing > with a living, breathing thing that is kept alive by us because we are > in love with it, because when we love it, it loves us back. Okay, I'll > shut up before I get too long in the tongue. I want to hear you people > talk about how it effects you. > > Seriously folks, what drives your passion for this common interest we > have? > Tater > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Taterbugmando" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/taterbugmando?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
