When Penny died 2 1/2 years ago, of course my life changed, full of emptyness (as you all realise). I needed to do something new, which was challenging, but had real potential.
I was already playing a ukulele in a couple of groups, and continued with that. My fellow members were brilliant in their support and kindness, and many of them still are. However ukuleles are simple to play, cheap, but can hardly be described as musical. I would recommend having a go, almost everybody is useless, nobody judges, you don’t need to know anything about music, nor do we have to read it…
Eventually, I decided to try to be more musical, moved away from my uke, although I do dust it off and strum it a bit from time to time.
I wanted to move on and try something more difficult, so I bought a guitar, and just sit on my own, in my garden, in the countryside etc etc and make simple tunes.
I used to be a choirboy many many years ago, until my voice broke. A friend said “why dont you come and join our choir, I’ve heard you sing so don’t tell me you can’t”. So I did!! It wasn’t what I expected, I thought we would just sing pop songs together. It turned out to be about 50 people singing 4 part harmony songs from Les Miserables etc. I had no idea what was supposed to be happening, but only 2 or 3 weeks later, I was singing (properly) with my new tenor friends. An absolutely wonderful experience, I had no idea this was possible. The strangest thing was that we meet to practice in what was once a pub, and it was where I first saw my wife 53 years ago. I still see her there. It was like that song from South Pacific, “Some Enchanted Evening” which I’m learning to play for her.
The only downside of a choir, is that you need all the other members to be a choir. I needed something to do when I’m on my own. It was her birthday anniversary, and I like a challenge on each anniversary. I always liked to hear a flute, so I decided to “have a go”. A quick post on our community facebook, and 10 minutes later, I’d booked a lesson the next day. This has the advantage, that I don’t need anyone else, I just play it at home, alone, any time I want to. Already this morning I’ve been working on playing “some Enchanted Evening” - What else! I’ve amazed myself, today I go for a lesson with my young, beatiful flute teacher!
I know I’ve gone on, but I hope I might encourage someone to have a go at something.
BUT Do not say to yourself, I can’t sing, I’m tone deaf, I can’t read music etc etc, because it’s not true, and is irrelevant. Take a step into the unknown, make friends, surprise yourself, have fun, sing or play to the dog!!
If you are totally convinced you aren’t musically interested, buy a ukulele!!!
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