What part does music play in your life?

Yep, love the Beatles. And the Stones. Eel Pie Island anyone?

Beatles fan too. While you wouldn't call them refined by today's standards. They certainly are one of the most creative bands of all time. They had the unique ability to take a music style and make it their own.

No onmyown! Not 'Don't stop me now'. Have a nice hymn. strangely sad yet comforting.

I love 'our' music (60s)

I have spent a good half hour this morning, dancing to a Beatles CD. In between baking sessions. Definitely cheering.

We had a fantastic 'shout' (singing of folk songs, mainly Cornish favourites) in the pub last night. It was packed and very enthusiastic. There were young and old, male and female, and I noticed there were some little books of words to help those unfamiliar with the songs. I'm sure we all went home much the better for it!

I really feel I have missed out on music in my life. When I was young we danced to the Beatles and the Stones and others of similar ilk, all of which I loved and still enjoy but I have never been a real fan of any music, to be honest. I know I must be missing out but I really prefer to listen to a good play or a debate. Is there something wrong with me?

I love music and I play the piano but not all that well - gave up last year having done grade four because I now have problems with my left hand (not that it sounded any better when I didn't have problems with my left hand!). I listen mostly to classical and jazz and love choral music. I would love to sing with a choir but I absolutely can't sing now and never had the chance when I could. My son plays the saxophone, and both his stepsons are very musical, but apart from that we have no musicians in our family. GS is learning the recorder at school (I bought one so that I could help him practice) but we won't be booking the Albert Hall anytime soon! I can't get on with today's pop music. Queen, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles is about all The pop I can listen to these days.

I absolutely love my music. I love listening to radio 2 and have it on most days when I'm home and when I'm out walking always have my mp3 player with all my favourite music on. Love some of the music that is in the chart now love having a sing and a dance around the house lol. I dread to think what my life would be like without music.

Nowt wrong with a good brass band Jane!

Could it get any lower?

I love a good brass band at the local village show.

Goodness onmyown. It's such a personal thing. It's usually something that has meant something to either the deceased person, or those left to mourn. So nowadays anything goes. I have heard all sorts.

My husband played in a brass band from the age of 6 until he was in his 50s, then his lip went after he started losing his teeth, so he had to stop. On the night we met, at a dance, he asked me if I liked brass bands, not knowing why he`d asked, I said I did. A few years later he told me that if I`d said no he`d have dropped me like a stone! Unfortunately, since he gave up banding, his taste in music has gone right down.

I'm referring in previous post to suitable funeral/crematorium/memorial music - any other suggestions? - Queen's don't stop me now? -

When asked about this my knee-jerk reaction was "Vivaldi's Four Seasons" (spring or summer, NOT winter), my all time favourite. (Being put on hold on the phone with this playing endlessly has never spoiled it for me - I just enjoy listening.)

When thinking about music for a strongminded friend, "I did it my way" seems highly suitable, with affection and good memories. I believe secular music such as this is now acceptable in a Church as well as in a Crematorium?

I also remember 'Singing Together' on the radio at school rubysong !

Music does not feature a great deal in my life and at the moment that is a bit of a problem. I am wanting to get my funeral organised (not imminent I hope!) but the question of music to be played has got me stumped. It was also a problem for us when organising my mother's funeral a few months ago. None of us could remember her listening to, singing along with or ever having a conversation about music and we just went along with a suggestion from the funeral director. Any ideas ? Something cheerful rather than sombre please !

I love singing in our local choir though I am not very good at all and can't cope with harmonies. I'm alright if I can stick to the tune. I also enjoy singing hymns at church and any traditional folk when I can join in the choruses.
I think my love of traditional songs came from 'Singing Together' on the radio when I was at primary school. Several friends have been talking about memories of the programme recently and four of us have found a similar book so we can have a song at our tea parties. This kind of singing is so good for us and will be compulsory when I become prime minister.

Goldengirl -

I suggest you check out the community choirs near you. More and more community choirs are starting up all the time now and they are all different. The large choir I am in uses sheet music but also we are given CDs with all our own part separately, as well as a full choir recording of everything we sing!

I estimate that more than 50% of the choir do not read music but it all comes together for our regular performances.

Other community choirs teach entirely by ear, for up to all four parts and they are very good.

I used to sing soprano, then alto, now I sing tenor along with other women of all ages. (There is some prejudice against female tenors by traditionalist males, but just ignore this if you meet it.)

The range of music is huge - classical, traditional (carols etc), folk, pop and world music (ie. African, latin American, Bulgarian, and more). There are day workshops and choir festivals that we take part in. All great.

That's quite a big mistake, elen1!

ps he would never speak to me if he seen I had made a mistake in his age !!! He's 65

Well, I was brought up with music!! I wouldn't change it for the world! I learned the piano for a year or so my mother was a lovely pianist but my Brother was music mad from the age of 4 and could play the piano by ear!! When he was 6 he had lessons but wouldn't read music, he knew the piece of music so my Mother made him give up music. He was so devastated he did a paper round and paid for his own lessons to prove our parents wrong!! My Brother told the teacher 'one day, I'm going to play a big pipe organ in a church!!' she said 'you will never be good enough....... He was about 8 when that statement was made. He is 70 plus and 30 CD,s on radio recordings, accompanied big stars, and annual trips to the States playing the theatre organs I am still so very proud of him!! Known as 'The Welsh Wizard' Byron Jones.

DH and I do exactly the same supermum 48. We aren't great TV fans anyway but it's great to turn the music up loud, open a bottle of wine and pretend we young again.

mishap thank you so much for that tip. I love and listen to all types of music all the time. I often walk along singing softly to myself or humming (not when there are other people around)

I grew up in the musical family. Sadly I didn't inherit the gene with the talent to play a musical instrument well … but that doesn't stop me from trying!

I'm desperate to play some music very loud so I can hear it all over the house. However, the S.O. is sitting in the living room watching tv [as usual] so I shall have to wait until tomorrow when I have the house to myself again [sorry; just had to getthatoffmechest].

Music is very important to me, it is part of who I am, my upbringing, my past, present and future. It is with me in times of despair, joy, anger, exuberance, solitude. My favourites are Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Nitin Sawhney, Richard Hawley, all sorts of World Music, particularly Asian music (some wonderful live experiences while living near Birmingham). It's the soundtrack to my life! Sadly I have no talent at all re playing an instrument but am an avid listener, particularly of Six Music. I can also bop along in the kitchen to Abba, Queen, Pink Floyd, so an eclectic mix! I also enjoy Blues, Blue Grass and, when I am in the mood, Nat King Cole, Elvis, etc. there are also times when there is no music, just birdsong, perfect!

I don't often play music at home, but I always play music when I'm driving.
If I'm on my own, gives me a chance to let loose with the heavy metal or classical. I like my music loud, need to consider my neighbours at home.