adventures, personal, Women
Published on June 17, 2023
Comments 41

It all started 9 months ago, and no, I’m not pregnant, (at nearly 57): it’s musical

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Hello Folks, and thanks for dropping by. My new direction began on a Wednesday evening, having a 5Rhythms dance in a hall with buddies, when a friend asked if there was anything I wanted to do that I hadn’t done yet?

Great question right?

To my utter shock, despite quick thoughts of “Dismantle the patriarchy/live in Berlin or Paris for a year/hike Machu Picchu/write a book/achieve world peace/horse-ride across Mongolia/install a plunge pool with infrared sauna” etc, a wide beam of light shone down upon me from above, and what came out of my mouth was:

“Play the drums.”

I kid you not: I surprised even myself. But I got goosebumps; I felt a rush of excitement and glee; my heart felt like it grew wings.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learnt in my creative life, it’s to listen to those somatic messages.

So I took a deep breath, and just let the concept hum through my body. Luckily, my friends smiled and cheered; it was a vulnerable moment of truth, and no one scoffed.

I am very grateful for that.

I kept breathing, and miraculously, no inner critic or judge jumped onto my shoulder with that all-too-common refrain: TooOldTooHardTooLateRidiculousMidLifeCrisisSoSelfIndulgent

I drove home grinning, and began my research that very night…

The following Tuesday, I had a $400 electronic drum kit set up in my bedroom, like a teenager, thanks to Marketplace. I texted the photo to all my closest friends. My rationale was that I should see how I went practicing for a month, then perhaps buy a better kit?

Two days later, my dear friend S replied and asked if I could do a drum roll?

I thought she was just being supportive and encouraging, but she continued questioning:

She was one of the performers for the Over 50s Cabaret as part of the Mullumbimby Circus Festival, and that’s how I found myself lugging my new old kit and heavy amp down to a circus marquee for ‘sound check’.

I brought to the stage my naive confidence, my enthusiasm, my natural sense of timing, and my utter humility in the presence of REAL musicians (who have actually toured the world with companies like Circus Oz and Circus Monoxide), plus my sequinned pants.

I think you’ll agree it was an auspicious start!

I’ve always loved the drums, and as a dancer and mover, I tune in to the drums and bass most easily. While growing up in England, as a confused and surly teenager, I loved punk music, as well as reggae and disco, and wish I’d had the courage to ask to learn to play the drums back then.

But we were very poor, living in a tall, cold, rundown Victorian house split into 3 apartments, and my poor Mum would have had an anxiety attack if she’d known what I wanted to play.

I finally dabbled with African drums at age 30, learning from a local teacher who told me I had natural rhythm, but needed to apply myself *cue the eyeroll of my inner confused and surly teenager still lurking.

Then I had my son, bought a house that needed renovating, went back to study etc etc, and suddenly I’m nearly 60, and the drumming desire still lies dormant.

Not any more 🙂

What about you? Do you have a secret creative longing we need to activate?

To be continued…

With absolute love and gratitude for rhythm, G xO

41 Comments

  2. brilliantviewpoint's avatar
    brilliantviewpoint says

    This is absolutely FANTASTIC! You are famous now. I just love this story and that you got to be on stage too. It’s funny how the Universe makes things happen! Congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • bone&silver's avatar
      bone&silver says

      Aww, thanks so much! I appreciate your enthusiasm & delight 😃
      The Universe has been nothing but supportive the whole way along, you’ll see… thanks for getting it 😝

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Bitchy After 60's avatar
    Bitchy After 60 says

    Good for you. I bet you are having a blast. Plus I have to admire your courage to learn and perform the drumroll in front of people immediately. I took up piano at 62. I love it but unlike you I do not have a natural sense of rhythm. I enjoy the challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • bone&silver's avatar
      bone&silver says

      Oh that is so cool! I love hearing that re the piano- I don’t think I have an ear for notes etc, hence never learnt guitar or keyboards. But I can hit things in time to a metronome 😀 It’s a compelling challenge isn’t it? I have felt quite obsessed sometimes… but fingers and shoulders ache if I play too long! Oh to be 18 😉

      Liked by 1 person

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    • bone&silver's avatar
      bone&silver says

      That is FANTASTIC. And as you will see if you keep reading my posts, something similar is happening… stay tuned. Thank you for sharing: go your friend’s friend, we so rock! G 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  8. tiffany's avatar
    Tiffany says

    Those are the kind of goosebumps that I call “truthbumps,” so great you followed them!
    I played cello (rented from the school) as a kid; I’d love to play again. ♥️

    Liked by 1 person

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    • bone&silver's avatar
      bone&silver says

      I’ve never heard ‘truthbumps’ before, but OMG what a perfect expression, thank you. I appreciate your comment, and also must say this: if you’d “love” to play again, please do. There are so many ways to rent or buy instruments now, just google it. And YouTube is an absolute goldmine of tutorials and tips, you will have a wonderful adventure, no matter how long it lasts. Follow the joy ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. waywardsparkles's avatar
    waywardsparkles says

    Pound it and they will come! I’m so excited for your new adventure! Who’s your favorite drummer? Have you ever seen that little girl,
    Nandi Bushell? Hang on — I think I found her drumming with the Foo Fighters.

    Hope she is inspirational!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • bone&silver's avatar
      bone&silver says

      Haha, thanks! Yes, she’s AMAZING. As is Dave Grohl. Fav drummer? I love my teacher: Beck Flatt. She drums with Z-Star Trinity, local Australian band, she’s so groovy & quirky, has a jazz drumming degree, a really inspiring positive teacher 🤩. I so appreciate your enthusiastic support ☺️ G

      Liked by 1 person

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    • bone&silver's avatar
      bone&silver says

      I just watched that video again: omg brings tears to my eyes- what an incredible experience for her- I love Dave Grohl for doing that. Thanks again for finding it for me ❤️

      Like

      Reply
  12. navasolanature's avatar
    navasolanature says

    Amazing. I managed a drum roll in a music class at school. Perhaps a latent drummer in me but never felt I had the rhythms. I did love 5 Rhythms though, Roth? It was great fun when I did it with a friend who taught it. Perhaps I should…. Great post and happy drumming!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • bone&silver's avatar
      bone&silver says

      Gabrielle Roth yes, for 5RHYTHMS. So good you did a drum roll 🤩 I think mine were pretty basic 😬 Thank you for commenting, & for your encouragement 😊 G

      Liked by 1 person

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  13. acflory's avatar
    acflory says

    Go you!!! I can’t tell you how much I admire your courage for ‘giving it a go’ like that. I have to sneak up on my courage like a cat stalking a mouse, so for me it’s baby steps, ever so slowly with clearly marked exits in case I fail and need an escape route.
    Writing fiction was like that, doing graphics was like that, and now learning how to make videos is like that. Going public is the last, burning-bridges type step.
    I truly wish I had your courage because then I might have started a lot earlier. Bravo and keep going. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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    • bone&silver's avatar
      bone&silver says

      Aww, thanks. I wish I’d done this 40 years ago- my courage has taken a long time to express itself musically- and I guess I’m lucky that I don’t have high aspirations for say, a career in drumming (or a career as a writer or blogger for example). Surely that makes the difference for you? I have nothing to lose, I fail at drum patterns every day, but just keep trying because I’m stubborn & I love the feeling when it works 😊
      I admire your discipline in posting so regularly, & in learning to edit… we all have our strengths with which to inspire others don’t we? Most importantly for me, I want older women to be SEEN & HEARD, because we matter ♥️

      Liked by 1 person

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      • acflory's avatar
        acflory says

        Mmm…getting up in front of a bunch of people so soon after deciding to try drumming is my idea of high courage! Of course you had something to lose, but…you’ve done a lot of performing in other areas though, haven’t you? I wonder if that confidence carries over into new ventures? Then again, how do you gain that confidence in the first place? Hmm…I think I’m confusing myself. lol

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        • bone&silver's avatar
          bone&silver says

          Yes, I am definitely a performer, with a lot of experience. I guess I am fairly confident in areas I put myself into… I have also practiced expanding my confidence. Trying is the most important thing 🙏🏼

          Liked by 1 person

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          • acflory's avatar
            acflory says

            As a teacher, I learned to ‘perform’ in front of a class, but I’ve always been confident of my ability as a teacher. The arts are another matter entirely. That said, you’re 100% correct when you say that trying is the most important thing. I think I’m getting braver about that as I age. I think that is one of the very best things about getting older. A lot of people bemoan their youth, but I honestly wouldn’t go back. I like the me I am now. 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

  15. momshieb's avatar
    momshieb says

    Aw, I love this so much!!!!!!
    I picked up the fiddle at the age of 59, after having played for ONE year in the 4th grade. So much fun, so much learning, so cool! I can feel both my brain and my spirit expanding as I play! Go, you! (I am also the sister, aunt, mom to several drummers).

    Liked by 1 person

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