I cannot remember a time when I didn't sing. I think the radio was always on in our house and in the car. I would learn the words and sing along and I would just sing for my own enjoyment. And it is good it was for me, because I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket in my formative years.

When school had everyone try out for a band instrument, they assigned me to the drums. I had rhythm, but no tone sense.

When the folk scare of the '60's came, I was impressed with the simplicity and relevancy of the music. Then my brother brought home a Gibson Les Paul model. I was immediately hooked. At the start, I think I played it more than he did. I begged Santa Claus for a guitar and my parents came through.

Sure, part of why I play is to impress others (esp. girls in my adolescence). I do enjoy performing. I want to spread the music and share it with others. I have learned to carry a tune decently and the applause strokes my ego. And performing is a high wire act. Not as dangerous as sky diving or hang gliding, but there is danger (of social embarassment).

Psychologist William Glasser wrote a book about positive addictions. For an activity to be a positive addiction it must:

1. Be something you can do by yourself.

2. Be an activity that nurtures your body, mind or spirit.

3. Be something you can continue to improve.

4. Be an activity that does not frustrate you, you have some skill at doing it.

There's a fifth item, but it is beyond my memory. It was only as I typed this post that I realized that music is a positive addiction. I just learned something!

Roger in Baltimore