Music and Family

I chose to interview my mom for this post. I was really surprised by some of her answers!

What kinds of music did you listen to? Did you have any favorite artists? 

I listened to classical music and pop music. Much to my kids' chagrin, my favorite artists were The Carpenters, ABBA, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Carole King. I lived in Japan when I was in elementary and middle school and liked a singer called Agneschan!

When did you listen to music? What activities were you involved with as you listened to music? 

I listened to music in my room, not while I was doing homework though. Another place was in the car. I listened to classical music while I read.

Were any of your family members professional musicians? If so, who and what did they do?

No, but my uncle wrote the sleeve notes for classical music records.

What sort of concerts did you attend? 

I did not attend many concerts growing up. I remember going to Sonny and Cher when I was in elementary school. I also went to an Earth, Wind, and Fire concert. We went to concerts at church some.

What kind of music inspired you? 

I enjoyed classical music even as a child. I also enjoyed church hymns and then later, contemporary Christian music artists. It was still quite new in the eighties.

What do you think of contemporary popular music, like you might find on the radio? 

I don't really care for music that is on the radio these days. It isn't the music, but the lyrics that can be offensive or about inappropriate topics for the ages of the kids listening to the songs. 

How do you react to your children’s choice of music? 

My kids have an eclectic taste in music. They listen to classical music and contemporary Christian music. I am proud of what my kids' listen to and usually listen with them.

Were their any songs that had special meaning to you? 

I really like the song called Tapestry by Carole King. Also, "You've Got A Friend" was meaningful to me.

What was your earliest childhood memory that involved music? 

My Japanese grandmother would sing old fashioned Japanese songs around the house while my mom was at work.

Do you remember any particular dances that you danced? 

No.

What sort of music did you learn in school? 

I don't remember any specific music, except that we learned how to play the recorder. 

In church? 

Hymns and choruses. 

At camp? 

Never went. 

Anywhere else? 

Piano lessons.

How has your musical taste changed or evolved throughout your life? 

My music taste has not changed too much over the years. I have always like classical music and contemporary Christian music.

Have you been exposed to music outside your own culture? How did that affect your own musical tastes? 

Yes, I grew up in Japan when I was younger. I think it toned my tastes down since hard rock and grunge was not very popular in Japan when I was growing up.

Who inspired you to listen to music? 

My mom and uncle.

What did your parents listen to? 

Classical music and gospel music. My dad liked country music.

Did you ever play an instrument or sing? 

Yes. 

Did you want to do so? 

I was not super enthusiastic about piano, but I enjoyed it after I started. I didn't know I could sing until high school. I started voice lessons in college. 

What technology did you have to listen to or make music? 

Record player, cassette tape player, my dad had reel-to-reel tape player, and radio.

How longs did popular trends last when you were younger? 

At least a year or two. In regards to technology, not much changed except 8 track, but that didn't last long.