First 'learnt' the recorder in 3rd grade. Couldn't play and cried with frustration. Was put in the 'canaries' group in the school choir with the girls who coudln't sing. My father forced me to learn guitar a year later.

It wasn't until I heard Norwegian Wood on the radio when I was 12 that it all clicked, like a revelation. Chords started to come naturally.

Then a school friend was playing the clarinet, so I learnt too. Later at Uni, I palyed in bands and couldn't be heard above the drums, so I swapped for tenor sax and never looked back.

I always liked a good 'song'. I listened to the Manhattan Transfer when I was quite young and thought they were the best. So now I sing in and arrange for several a cappella groups and conduct one.

So "up your nose" to my 3rd grade music teacher, who decided I was a musical failure, at age 8.

I'd like to learn the fiddle now, but I think it might be too late.