Music: Answers may lie in your childhood
by Paul Finley copyright 1998
Look at your childhood. It's a great reference point for who you are today in many circumstances.The same goes for your relationship with music.
Personality traits and your methods of learning always surface in one's playing. Wheather someone is very organized and meticulous with detail, scattered and disorganized, open to new information, or creative. All our traits surface in many ways through our instrument. As a teacher of almost 12 years, I've learned to read these signs and it really helps me to better direct a students' strengths & weaknesses.
To assess yourself, look at that period of innocence when what you did by feel, without inhibition. This is vital to playing or writing music. But it can be so difficult to emote in the manner when we "grow up". Look back at your free time in childhood at the things you liked to do most. Many are obvious, like playing with friends or playing games, etc. Look a little closer. What were the types of toys, or games that you liked the most? For example, my favoritetoys, when talking about my childhood, were always conducive to creativity. Toys with many parts that could be assemled in countless variations. Toys like LEGO'S, Lincoln Logs, Lite Brite, drawing, etc. And for me I loved to make my own creations, not just the ones on the box.
Today, music is that vehicle for me. Music has a wonderfully infinite supply of parts - notes - to construct with and has allowed me to express what I need to say. Writing music gives me more joy than I can express to you in words alone.
Your childhood holds many answers. I hope you can conform my examples to yourself and gain some insight as to the kind of role music plays in you life.