My musical journey began when I was 4 years old and my mother started giving piano lessons to my older brother, Duane. After he finished practicing I would often climb up on the piano bench on my knees and play his songs by ear. Duane was not happy. One time he complained “Mom, Verlene’s playing my songs again and she has the book upside down!” Mom put a stop to my “playing just by ear” by starting me on my own set of books, so I would learn to read music properly – but I secretly still played a lot by ear… That same year, I had my singing debut at a mother-daughter luncheon accompanied by my mom. I sang “M-O-T-H-E-R” and thought every little girl sang with their mommies.
We got to choose a band or orchestra instrument in 3rd grade, and I chose violin, eventually playing solos in the district orchestra. I took over Dad’s guitar in 7th grade, and picked up cello that same year. By the time I was a teen, I was playing guitar and singing folk songs and original songs in local coffee-houses. And I never stopped picking up new instruments – so today, in addition to piano, violin, and guitar, I play Celtic harp, mandolin, tenor banjo, ukulele, concertina, Swedish nyckelharpa, and several more, mostly stringed instruments.
What I love about playing with Gaelic Muses is that I get to bring four of my smaller instruments: violin, mandolin, concertina, and nyckelharpa, and in addition, I get to share Lynda’s guitar, harp, and keyboard. And add to that the fun we have singing together. We even do a few of my original songs. So I’m thrilled to be a member of Gaelic Muses playing music I love with two other multi-talented ladies!
If you visit my website, you’ll see that I also teach private lessons and online workshops, and I’ve published well over 50 music books, and recorded 13 CDs. So, feel free to roam around there if you like! www.verlene.com
