My musical career began at the age of 7 by taking violin lessons at school. I was made aware of the fact that the violin was arguably the most difficult instrument to play. I quickly rose to the challenge and in so doing found an absorbing interest. As a child I was very quiet and introvert, so this was a means by which I was able to express myself. I remember playing "3 Bourees" whilst my mother was ironing. It must have sounded awful in those early days. She went through a lot of earache but always gave encouragement. I have never forgotten this lesson and realise as a teacher now how important this is. I continued having lessons at school but also had private music lessons and played in several amateur orchestras. I remember being the leader of the Redditch Junior College Orchestra and playing second and then first violin in the senior orchestra also. By the age of seventeen, I had reached professional standard and done all the necessary theory exams also. It was a necessary requirement to be able to play the piano. I learned to play the piano under duress as I didn't enjoy it very much. Insufficient challenge. So I also took up the organ - two hands and feet, far more difficult, more sounds and rhythm accompaniment too.
