I made sure my children had the opportunity to play a musical instrument. My daughter played the trombone in primary school, then went on to play the saxophone, but music was never a passion. My son used to sit completely absorbed by our old record player as a small child. I took advice on what instrument would be best for him to learn to play, bearing in mind learning to read music would be an uphill struggle as he is dyslexic and sequencing was a major problem. He started learning to play the guitar and had the fortune to have a gifted teacher, who took him under his wing. He composed his own music long before he was able to read music. Music helped him survive school. He'd come home and strum away the stresses of the day. He went on to take popular music BTEC, and finished with a distinction. He decided not to pursue a musical career, because of short term memory issues and there were other things that excited him......fire engines, ambulances.......! My paramedic son still makes music a major part of his life, still takes lessons and champions me with my singing.
Music can be an intensely personal experience, whether listening or taking part, but it is something you can share, whether being part of a choir or orchestra. Make yourself sing when feeling low. It does help to lift your mood. They say it releases endorphins. I've been studying for and taking music grades these last 3 years through health challenges. It was the one thing I didn't let slide for a while.
