My Musical Journey (By @ernesto6402)
I have always loved music; and sometimes I try thinking of when and how this love for music began, but I am unable to wrap my fingers around that. I guess it began from being around those who love music like myself; or maybe not like myself, but they too certainly love music. It all began with my aunt; she was a musician, and I grew up with her. She never played any instrument [though she had a guitar which I never saw her play], but she had an amazing voice and I loved her voice.
As tender as I was, I wanted to be like her, and I had a good voice too. It gave me a certain level of satisfaction when people around either told it to me or whispered it around me. On one occasion, a girl I cruised on whispered to her elder sister—"he has a beautiful voice"; I was really happy, but that was where it ended. I never had the balls to speak to her until I left my aunt to live with my parents in Port Harcourt. There is more to be told with regards to me being timid around girls, but that is certainly a story for another day.
Though my aunty was there, I did not have access to any standard choral group, musical instrument, or someone who could actually put me through the art of music. My aunty never had the time, and I did not know any other person who could. But then, that was a problem that would not last for long. I eventually had to come to Port Harcourt to live with my parents. I guess that was the beginning of my musical journey.
St. Cecilia Choir was the first musical group I ever became a member of, and the choir gave me the basis I needed. Gentle Seraph too were instrumental. But those were not the only things that influenced me; I was also influenced by the songs I listened to. Here in Port Harcourt, my parents played songs; and my neighbours too. There is a particular neighbour that often played Fela Kuti, and I loved Fela so much. Though I had a foundation that was characterized by hymns and classical music, for some reason, I love Afro music more. My Dad would play the likes of Oliver De Coque, Ras Kimono, Osadebe, and Mike Ejiagha. I grew to love every one of those songs, and they made me the musical person I have become today.
I really do not know how or when music started becoming what it had become to me, but I know for sure that music has become a part of my being. It was a gradual process, but an initial passion that was probably from birth fuelled it. From being a child who innocently loved singing, I have become a musician who practises and teaches music. But then, what surprises me the most is the fact that my desire to learn music never ceases.
