I think it is probably a long story. I remember mother always singing "harmony" to all the songs on the radio. I was fascinated with that, and tried to imitate what she did - always wondering how she knew the right notes to sing. I gradually learned to hear and sing "harmony" too, and am so glad I did. It makes it easy now when I add embellishment to the melody as I play hammered dulcimer. Then, as a young teen, our girl scout troop went to see a young lady play an instrument none of us had ever heard of - the appalachian mountain dulcimer. It was fascinating, but I never thought much about it until years later, when I joined our local folk music and mountain dulcimer society. I sang in gospel ensembles in church and on travelling teams from my college. It was hootenany era, so we alll got ukeleles and played folk music and sang. Married a non-musician...........went to a Reinactment festival in Lafayette, In. the Feast of the Hunters Moon............saw my first Hammered Dulcimer. Saw it again the next few years, as we returned to the Feast. Was determined that some day I would own one and learn to play. I've been playing now for 5 years....... Went to a dulcimer festival, met a lady with a collection of antique instruments..........got hooked. I now have a collection of about 50 instruments which I try to learn to play................ Well, I told you it was long.......... But music is my life..........I love it.