“Music has charms to soothe a savage breast.” True, but it has the power to do so much more. It can also motivate us, make us laugh or make us cry.
Music has always been an important part of my life. When I was growing up, my father liked to watch Mitch Miller and Lawrence Welk on TV. We had an old player piano and I remember sitting next to Dad while he pumped those pedals and sang along with the music on the rolls. My mother preferred what she referred to as “livelier” music; she was (and still is) a fan of rock ’n roll, especially Elvis. So, early on, I was exposed to all different kinds of music. As a result, I developed eclectic tastes.
When someone asks me what my favorite song is, I quickly respond, “Hotel California,” by the Eagles, because it reminds me of my vacation to Todos Santos (All Saints), Mexico where I visited the Hotel California. But, depending on my mood and what I’m doing, I have other “favorites.” For example, although I usually prefer absolute silence when I’m writing, I will occasionally listen to classical music. My hands down favorite is Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a theme from Paganini.” It was the music they played in the movie “Somewhere in Time.”
When I clean house, I like to listen to our local Oldies station because they play my favorite songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s. They get me swinging my hips and my vacuum cleaner. I prefer happy, upbeat music. Not only does it help motivate me, it gets me out of my funk if I’m in One Of Those Moods. Reggae has the same effective on me, especially Bob Marley’s tunes. I also love banjo music and Charlie Daniels’ fiddle.
I use music in my writing too. Ann, the main character in Mixed Messages, was raised by her grandmother, Nana, a retired music teacher. So, like me, there was always music in the house when Ann was growing up; she relies on music to cheer her up too.
It’s the week of Halloween and, if you peek through the window into Ann’s kitchen, you just might catch her sashaying to the strains of “Elvira.” With a serial killer on the loose in her neighborhood and all the other problems she has, Ann needs all the help she can get!
In my old age I've fallen in with some bluegrass musicians. I strum along. Several musicians have been kind enough to go with me to book signings - makes for nice crowd appeal. As long as the arthritic thumbs will let me...
ReplyDeleteMuch of the modern music- modern jazz - leaves me cold. Here in Athens GA there are more bands than musicians. Definitely enough music to go around.
Dac,
DeleteI like bluegrass too! Every once in awhile, I catch some local musicians on TV. Keep strumming!
I grew up in a musical family. Both my parents and sister played instruments. I had no talent in that sphere and my contribution was to listen and appreciate. Result: like you, I have eclectic tastes. There's usually some kind of music at my house at all times. And each of my books has featured at least one character who makes or listens to music. I couldn't imagine a world without music.
ReplyDeleteJ.R.,
DeleteI took piano lessons when I was in grade school. Like you, I can't imagine a world without music!
I enjoy almost all types of music, but my favs are Oldies and forties music. My husband enjoys Classic Rock, so I get an earful of that, too. Like the two of you, I can't imagine a world without music either.
ReplyDeleteRemember "The Day the Music Died?" What a horrible thought!
DeleteIn my sequel to Mediterranean Grave, which I'm writing now, Henry tracks a killer to a party barge in Stockholm called XanaDoo-Wop - where Filipino musicians dressed like Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper sing the oldies. Music gives us a whole new palate to work with.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Doonan
www.themummiesofblogspace9.com
I wrote a post several months ago called "The Five Senses." I talked about using our senses in our writing and how effective that can be. I really wasn't thinking about music when I wrote the post but we do "hear" music and, as you wrote, it "gives us a whole new palate to work with."
DeleteI'm a 6o's fan, a country music fan, and recently I've been playing a lot of gospel bluegrass music. Right now I have a David Garrett (violinist) CD in my player. Like you, I don't usually work with music on. I find it distracting.
ReplyDeleteCatherine Hershberger, writing as Catherine Castle
I still love the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, all the music from the 60s!
DeleteI've written a whole memoir set in the late 50s and early 60s. Lots of music. I still listen to the oldies stations but not when I'm writing. Can't listen to music then. I'd never get any writing done.
ReplyDeleteThere sure are a lot of us who like music from the 60s. I guess it's true: rock 'n roll is here to stay!
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