My Father was an extremely good piano player and both my parents sang in a choir for years, so my early year were all classically influenced. Learning an instrument (first piano, then trumpet) was actively encouraged although I didn't stick with either instrument as the music I listened to was all 'electric'. I took the bass up some years afterwards in the late 80's. Put it down for over 20 years, and started up again about three years ago. My decision to take up the bass initially was purely my own as it was the instrument I'd always [i]listened [/i]to.
I'm not really a natural, I can't read a note of music and have no idea what notes I'm playing...but I do this for my own enjoyment. That's it really