Let me introduce Asperger’s Syndrome. It is a disorder on the autistic spectrum. We are all on this spectrum somewhere, from neuro-typical (typical brain function) at one end to low-functioning autism at the other. I’m close to high-functioning autism but even slightly less affected than that. Some of the problems I face because of Asperger’s Syndrome are a lack in social skills/understanding, sensory sensitivity (i.e. over-reactive to sights, sounds, smells etc.) a tendency to see the world in black-and-white terms (meaning that grey areas are confusing and irrationally stressful) and difficulty coping with change. Some people are more severely affected than others, as is the case with anyone on the autistic spectrum.

Because of Asperger’s, I have a tendency to be interested in very few things but very intensely interested in them. This means that I don’t have the broad general knowledge of celebrities or sports etc. that my peers do, but do I have an obsession with playing piano and listening to certain music. I thank my Asperger’s for getting me into third-level music education, because my obsessive repetitive playing brought me from a Grade 3 standard to a Grade 8 standard in the space of about three years. It is typical of people with Asperger’s to enjoy repetitive activities and this is often a great way for  people like me to learn things, whereas most piano students may need to take a small section of a piece at a time and focus on that, gradually adding on the rest of the piece.

I also have to thank my Asperger’s for the ability to reach my potential as a musician. As I tend to be somewhat oblivious to stigma, as people like me don’t “pick up on things” like this along the way, I never had any fears or doubts preventing me from  trying any piece that I liked. That kind of innocence gives me the freedom to try music that others just presume to be out of their reach. That’s not to say that neuro-typical students don’t try to challenge themselves; some teachers use reverse psychology to persuade their more determined students, while some students simply stand up to the challenge. I simply didn’t know when something was going to be out of my league and just tried it anyways because I liked it.

In conclusion, I urge anyone whose child / relative / friend has Asperger’s and who has found their own special obsession to give them all the resources they can related to that interest. Right now, it might just look like a weird hobby, but it may one day be the career they will enjoy for the rest of their life.

Personally, from the very beginning, I never thought of piano lessons and musical activities as a hobby. If my school teacher ever asked us to list our pastimes, piano never went down on the list, nor did listening to music or singing in the church choir. TV and computer games were hobbies, and playing with toys was a hobby, but somehow music was always something different. Looking back on it I’ve always thought I was just being the black sheep, but now that I’m studying music at third level I’ve been taking a closer look at why people are so keen on learning to play an instrument and why parents are so supportive of music lessons for their children.

Firstly, music is a huge part of everyone’s daily life. Everyone has a favourite type of music. It can be as complex as polyphonic liturgical music from the era of Baroque music, or as simple as the repetitive entrancing pulse of the dance music we hear in our nightclubs. Music is used manipulatively in advertising to get our attention, in restaurants and shops either to entice us to stay or to drive us away. Music has existed for as long as mankind itself as a tool for self-expression. While all aspects of music will change constantly, music will never cease to be part of our lives. The fact that so many common electrical devices in our 21st century lifestyle (e.g. PCs and laptops, mobile phones, mp3 players and gaming consoles) are designed to store and play increasing amounts of music is proof of this.

So everyone loves some type of music for various reasons. What better way to enjoy it than to play it yourself, and to come up with your own interpretation?

The next big reason people want music lessons is because of its educational benefits. Most people don’t actually know just how healthy it is to learn to play an instrument until they’ve had their first few weeks or months of lessons and practice. An essay I wrote in college recently required me to study Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, and to look into the types of “intelligences” people exercise when learning music. Gardner believes everyone has varying levels of these interrelated intelligences:

Verbal-Linguistic intelligence (verbal reasoning, spoken communication, languages)
Logical-mathematical intelligence (numbers, problem-solving)
Visual-Spatial intelligence (use of images/visual aids and surrounding space)
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (physical coordination)
Musical intelligence (understanding of music)
Interpersonal intelligence (understanding of/communication with others)
Intrapersonal intelligence (knowing and understanding the self, internalising information)
Naturalist intelligence (understanding of surroundings/events, how things fit together)

So, which intelligences are engaged in the process of learning music? All of them! Musical understanding is listed as an intelligence of its own here, but it is largely developed by regular use of all of the others. Many parents see an improvement in their children’s grades at school, bodily coordination, confidence, social development and even in behaviour as a result of sending them to music lessons. It is also proven that a person who has sustained a serious head injury and some resulting brain damage can recover more quickly and completely if they have had extensive musical education than a person who hasn’t, because music exercises so many parts of the brain simultaneously.

So, in a way, there is some small amount of truth to the myth that all musicians are intelligent!

As well as being outright hilarious, Tim Minchin also proves to be a pretty amazing pianist. A number of his songs (including Inflatable You and Rock and Roll Nerd) include a crazily virtuostic improvised solo somewhere, which he uses to comical effect. His cleverly detailed writing comes across very strongly in his comical poems such as Angry(Feet) and Storm, as does his absurd dry wit as he recites them.

Tim Minchin has recorded 3 comedy albums, and his debut DVD So Live released in 2007 is an eager addition to my shopping list!

Visit the official Tim Minchin website at http://www.timminchin.com/

I think this could in fact be even bigger than the Crazy Frog…

Untitled Mess

It’s always a good idea to do your first concert as a fundraiser, because you will be sure to attract an audience whether they’re there to suppport you or the good cause. I did my first solo recital for the youth charity Spun Out (http://www.spunout.ie) shortly after becoming a fan, and an audience of over 80 turned out, made up of well-meaning charity supporters and friends and family from the locality.

So first you need to make a list of what you need to get started…

• A programme, roughly 40-60 minutes long, that is within your performing ability
• One or two pieces for an encore – I made the mistake of not preparing for this!
• Choose a few dates which will allow you time to prepare – but no solid decisions yet.
• A venue – this can be a local hall, a church, a school, provided it is big enough. Find out if there is a fee and what dates are available.
• Equipment hire – in my case, this was a grand piano. Get a quote, and dates when the supplier is available.
• Contact the charity organisation – discuss ideas and see if they can provide any promotional supplies. Invite a speaker if possible.
• Promotion – now you can decide the date and get to work on posters and tickets. Decide your ticket charge which will go to charity.
• Sponsorship – I got sponsorship from local businesses to cover my costs, which was very successful. List businesses and amount given.
• Programmes – I made these at home. Write some programme notes to show your opinion on the pieces. List your sponsors here.
• Outfit – don’t forget to sort out your formal attire!

It’s really important that you keep careful track of money when you’re organising all this. When you’re selling tickets you’ll be bombarded with €5, €10 and €20 notes. The best way to look after all this is to get yourself a lockable money box, preferably one that’s divided into sections. That way you can distinguish which cash is for the charity organisation and which is for covering you’re expenses. They’re easy to get and will probably come in useful to you again in the future!

It may be useful to have a few words prepared for the end of the concert, to say your “thank-yous” and acknowledge any help you were given. This is where I really got caught out! If it’s possible, find someone to be your MC so you get an introduction etc., and perhaps have some background music to put on during your interval.

Hopefully I haven’t left any vital information out. Do let me know if there’s anything I’ve skimmed over!