I just played “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “God Bless America” on my new xylophone – an early birthday present to myself. 

It’s been over four decades since I played the xylophone in middle school and the ninth grade of high school. When I joined the percussion section in the sixth grade I was the only one who could read music because I’d had piano lessons, so I was told to play the bells – or glockenspiel. Later in the ninth grade, I carried a xylophone in marching season and played it in concert season, too. After that I became the conducting drum major for marching band and tried different instruments during concert season. My xylophone experience was short, but I loved it. 

In Austin I was reminded how much I loved it when I tried out a marimba class with Joel Laviolette. I felt like a kid again and I’ve wanted a xylophone since then. But when’s a good time to buy a xylophone? It doesn’t really fit in the budget. This month I made it happen. 

I also thought of things like “What’s the point? Where does it lead?” HA! Like everything has to be commercialized and monetized. I dropped that idea and I know the point is creativity and play. 

A few recent articles about the power of learning and playing music or singing also motivated me. 

• Learning music could reverse brain aging (even if you’re already old), say scientists – Even adults who pick up a musical instrument for the first time in old age could reap the benefits
• Playing a musical instrument good for brain health in later life – study

Also, since last summer I’ve focused on songwriting as a creative outlet. I’ve mainly worked on lyrics, and now I can also pick out melodies on my xylophone. 

I’m already loving the physicality of it – standing, striking the keys, reading the music and losing myself in the music making. 

If you’re not quite ready to buy the xylophone or other instrument, you might check with your local library to see if they have instruments in their “library of things.” 

I love this great line in The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: “But do you know how old I will be by the time I learn to really play the piano / act / paint / write a decent play? Yes… the same age you will be if you don’t.”

Happy New Year and I hope you find ways to explore your creativity, too!