Thursday, June 20, 2013

My Music

Venus by Frankie Avalon on Grooveshark
Certain music, certain songs, 
certain sounds 
affected me strongly 
as a child.

The song above (play it!)
 a train whistle far away
 in the mysterious night 
beyond the  walls
 of my girlhood room...





I played the melody flute,
an indestructible nickel plated
 transverse flute sounded via
 fipple. link

Those 6 holes entranced me.

 Their combinations brought 
melody! 
I was hooked.
Quickly deviating from 
Mary Had a Little Lamb, 
and Hot Cross Buns

Though Christmas music
 is my go-to, 
automatic repertoire
still :-)









Despite an embarrassing liaison
 with the trombone, 
I have been a flute girl
 all my life.
 (Which meant "prostitute" 
to an ancient Roman.)
 Ahem. 


Ocarinas seemed pretty toys 
with their jolly lilt. 
"Ocarina (Italian: “little goose”) 
also called Sweet Potato, "

And recorders! 
Its all coming back to me.








But one who blows music 
out of tubes 
and the occasional sweet potato
must aspire to 
the real open mouth flute 
played horizontally. 
That's your big girl! 

I wanted to play flute
along 
with the radio. 








Where was I?
 Yes, playing rock and roll, 
in the late 60s....on a flute! 

Thank god for Ian Anderson 

or I'd never have been invited to 
jam at all. 
Nothing Is Easy by Jethro Tull on Grooveshark

I was in a weekend band 
while in high school called 
Willow Mill Park.

We had a weekly bar gig 
at which we played originals
 and covers. 

We fantasized that these were 
"early days" and that someday
we'd look fondly back,
 after huge success. 

Silly Cloudia!


Here's me in a threesome with some ocarina friends:

22 comments:

Lynn said...

It's amazing how music can just take you back to another time.

Elephant's Child said...

Ian Anderson did make the flute very, very cool. Or at least he reminded people of just how beautiful the flute can sound...

Anonymous said...

Sounds nice; too cool that you played weekend gigs! When the hula guy on the rock with the native flute is done, we need to take him for drinks and jammin'! Me sees a shadow rooster under da big leaf. DrumMajor

Anonymous said...

Rock 'n roll on a flute sounds awesome!

21 Wits said...

Thank goodness for sweet memories they taste so good on rainy days- the flute is one of life's most beloved treasures, for me. Not to forget, I got my own tape recorder at a very young age, and that was cool then!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Aimee loves her ocarina , I often hear lilting sounds emanating from her room :) keep playing Cloudia, if it brings you pleasure its all good !

Daryl said...

i have a tin ear so i have never played an instrument. i think i missed out for sure

TexWisGirl said...

so cool, cloudia!

Myrna R. said...

I don't know, I think you CAN look back after huge success - maybe not in music, but certainly in life. Music just paved the way.

Cloudia said...

Thanks!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Music can transport us in ways that no other medium can...

kaykuala said...

Wonderful time growing up, Cloudia! With the talented crowd doing the in-thing! How nice!

Hank

Filip and Kristel said...

A different style of dancing than ours.

Greetings,
Filip

LONDONLULU said...

Lovely memories! I remember a Smithsonian exhibit demonstrating one of mankind's earliest musical instruments - something akin to a (primitive) nose flute...you must have an instinctive connection to our deepest roots in music:) (And thanks for the comment about the tribes in the PA area - so fascinating!)

Lisa said...

Enjoyed it Cloudia, never realized the flute could sound so nice. And yes flute brings home memories because that was what they taught us to play in music class in school. I enjoyed the pictures too. I could do with a vacation.

Friko said...

sweet music, not so silly Cloudia.

Linda said...

Wonderful. I love flute music!

Pietro Brosio said...

Music can create such amazing atmospheres!

Cloudia said...

Thanks, each of YOU :)

Couture Carrie said...

Awesome post, darling!
I am a flute girl, too :)

xoxox,
CC

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger said...

Wow, some nice photos ;)
I wish I could play any musical instrument!

Duncan In Kuantan

Cloudia said...

Thanks, you Dears! :-)