I have enjoyed music immensely since I was small. My mother used to force me to take piano lessons. "Wrists above the keyboard!" my teacher, David Crisp, would remonstrate. I would wish I was elsewhere.
In spite of my hatred of the piano, I continued to love music. I joined the local brass band, Greenhall Youth Band, later Greenhall Band, and played the cornet, the tenor horn, then the baritone. Dave O'Connor ("Oronoco") taught me brass instruments and conducted Greenhall. We competed successfully in the Scottish and nationial (UK) contests.
I had also played trumpet in Lasswade Community Orchestra; David Crisp was the conductor. I was a terrible trumpet player; my lips are the wrong shape. Even then, I once, as 1st Trumpet, struggled through Handel's Music for Fireworks, which relies heavily on the trumpet. Never again! I think the orchestra felt the same.
Nowadays I don't play much music. Greenhall Band lives on, as does Lasswade Orchestra, as the Open Orchestra.
However, my love of music remains. I prefer good music though. That means I don't listen to much in the top ten. My current favourites are Aphex Twin, Luke Vibert, Ozric Tentacles, Mouse on Mars, Bonobo, the Sabres of Paradise, be my guest and just take a look here [requires a password], and you can enjoy good music too.
