Memories. Ahhh Yes, Memories of My Life

Music - A Day Late

PROMPT July 17th

How important is the role of music in your life and in your creative process? Do you write to music? If so, what kind and why do you think it helps?

         Music has been a part of me since the 5th grade, when I started playing the French Horn. You might wonder why I chose that instrument to play? Well, my parents couldn't afford to buy me an instrument (you know I had the Trumpet on my mind), so we had to rent one from the school. Choices were limited though. I'd seen or heard of all of them, except for the French Horn. So I chose it. That's sort of been my 'mantra' throughout my life. Take the unknown so you can figure out what it is.

         As I progressed through school, I was interested in every other instrument, but mainly the brass. So I taught myself how to play each of them. I was never very good on the trumpet though. My embouchure was never strong enough to hit the high notes. However, I quickly realized that if you knew the 'fingerings' to play the Trumpet, you could play the Baritone and Sousaphone also. The Trombone and its slide was another matter. Again though, I wanted to play in the Stage Band (a Jazz band in a way), and played French Horn in it. It just didn't seem right though. The French Horn is more of a classical music type of instrument, not jazz or semi-rock. So in the 11th grade, I taught myself how to play the Trombone, and played well enough to play it in Stage Band. You all can't know how much I long just to pick up a French Horn again, and see if I can play it at all....

         So band shaped my music knowledge. I can still read music, I still remember how to play the French Horn, and with a little practice and review, I could play the Trombone. My early music influences were bands that had a lot of horns. Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Chicago, Bill Chase, while in high school. Afterwards, any group that really played music, not just strummed a guitar/bass, or beat drums. Electric Light Orchestra, and today, Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I can write while listening, or remember a song, and write humming/whistling it. I think music helps because it lifts me, lifts my soul. With music, all is right in the world for me.





Jim Dorrell