Saxophone Jones
MONDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) --
Music lessons may help keep the brain healthy as people grow older, a new study
suggests.
I’ve been
noodling around on the guitar since the 60’s, and while I can competently strum
some chords and sing a few songs without disturbing the neighborhood cats, I’m
not a musician. But, by degrees, I’m moving in that direction.
A long time
jazz fan, years ago I bought a tenor saxophone at a local pawn shop and swore
I’d learn to play. From time-to-time I’d take it out of its tattered case and
work my way through some of the exercises in the Belwin Saxophone Method book I
purchased, but soon I’d run out of motivation and go back to plunking the
guitar. I’d blame it on being too busy with work, children, lack of natural
talent, or just plain laziness.
All that
changed when I retired. I decided it was
now or never. I hired a teacher, started taking lessons, practicing daily and
learning to read music. A few months ago I played “Happy Birthday” at a
friend’s party and recently I played “Summer Time” at a going away party for
friends leaving on a one year, round-the-world adventure. I am not now, nor
will I ever be, a threat to Stan Getz or Lester Young, two of my tenor heroes,
but I’m improving all the time.
I’ve told my sons
that I plan to live and torment them until I’m at least ninety. I want to know
how it’s all going to turn out for them. I figure playing the saxophone will
keep my brain healthy and help me achieve my goal. My teacher says I’m almost
ready to play in the back row of the County Band. I think I get to wear a royal
blue blazer and maybe a funny hat. Does it get any better than that?
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