I saw this documentary on HBO this morning called “The Music in Me.” It’s a collection of stories about children playing music and it’s wonderful. It made me realize how much I missed the Sunday bluegrass circle where I used to play.
It also made me a little sad. See, I always wanted one of those musical families – but that never quite worked out. My Dead Ex played the banjo and guitar, my youngest is a kickass guitar player and my oldest plays keyboards, but we all learned and played independently of each other, and never once together. Parallel lives, and all that.
There’s something about playing music with other people that’s quite a rush, yet also soothes the soul. If you’ve ever played, you know what I mean – particularly when you layer vocal harmonies on top. No feeling quite like it, I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.
Do you play an instrument?
I was once, briefly, married to a bluegrass banjo player and we played together sometimes. I was rhythm guitar. I diddled around with the banjo, too. FUN!
I do know what you mean.