music

How do you find a place for music in your life, in this hectic, fast paced life we lead? And why would you do that anyway? Music is such a huge part of most teenagers' lives. I remember buying my first rock album, Alice Cooper. You know, the one with the bloody picture of Alice hanging from a noose? Freaked my mom right out... she was sure I'd gone over to the dark side, started doing drugs etc. Of course, that wasn't the case at all. But gone over to the dark side of music? Sure I had.

But that's part of the point, right? Music has a lot to do with identity. Here I was moving from Carole King (mom acceptable) to bloody, anti-school rock and roll (not). She was never able to see the virtues of this new "noisy" music I was playing on my purple and hot pink record player (where is that record player now, I wonder?). I thought it was sad, quite a loss for her. After all, my grandmother had to put up with her move from Jim Reeves to Elvis?!? didn't she? And then, what would I do when my kids started to listen to music I didn't like? Would that happen to ... gasp... me too?

Well, I've gotten lucky in a way. Hip hop became the "new" music, and as far as I can tell, no-one in the house likes it! My kids listen to Pink Floyd, and Eric Clapton. (other newer stuff too of course) They've introduced me to Green Day, Jack Johnson, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Arcade Fire. I joined a rock band in September (well, a rock band lesson) and am finally putting 8 years of classical piano lessons to good use. I may buy an electric guitar this week. My band teacher says "there is no better fountain of youth than rock and roll" and I totally believe him. Music increases endorphins when you are anticipating a musical passage that you particularly enjoy. It's also a great workout as I found out during my first lesson back. So, find music that you like and kick back. Mellow, blues, folk or rock. Turn it up as you please (and as your neighbours can tolerate). Relax. Unwind. Rock-on.