52 blessings 07.2010

I remember when I was a young boy, about 7 or 8, a music teacher traveled door to door in our neighborhood selling music lessons… for the accordion. Oh, I so wanted to learn an instrument. Alas, we had no money for music lessons. In a way, I think my mom thought she was saving me from ridicule. She could have never known I could have been Weird Al Johnovic.

That was my musical chance and it was gone. It wasn’t until my senior year in high school, I decided to join band. I became a percussionist. I couldn’t read music, still can’t, had no idea on tempo, beat, etc. When I was put to the test for class, I would listen to the person before me and copy them. Which is a good idea unless they botch the whole thing… which they did. However, I made it.

I’ve always felt that I had some part in me that was “musical” I just never had the formal training. I just believe I can.

Just before my first daughter was born, I wrote a lullaby. It was my first song I had ever written. Well, I never wrote the music down, I just remembered the tune.

As a matter of fact, I’ve written 5 songs. One of them a small female singing group used as they toured Russia… “going public”

Another was for a little princess who lost her battle with a brain tumor.

Music is such a blessing. Perhaps I will learn to read music one day. For now, I’m learning my guitar. I’ve got more than three chords memorized and can even do a few bar chords. It’s the singing at the same time while playing thing that gets me. Little by little.

I hope to write a few more songs I have another lullaby to write. better get to it.

peace.

johno~