We reached out to Flumpy Duck and asked him some questions. With 26784 points he has the most XP of all users! Learn more about his life and his passion for music in this Q&A.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
“I'm 59 and live in Wales. We live with six people in a small house. I have three children and five grandchildren. Our family has a crafts business where we make jewellery but also larger sculptures.”
Which instrument do you play?
“I haven’t found the right instrument yet and I'm open to suggestions. I’m permanently disabled with a spine injury and partially paralysed from the neck down. I bought a violin in 2006/ 7 but can’t raise my arms high enough, or stand for long enough to play it. At the moment, I need to do all my practice in the Sonid application.”
When did you first start learning about music theory?
“I learnt about sound during my MA in Moving Image. Much later I started learning about music theory. I wish I'd learned music theory earlier in life. I’m hoping to get back into Filmmaking and a good knowledge of theory would be helpful when talking to musicians.”
What did you learn and how did Sonid help you with this?
“Sonid has helped me begin to understand the underlying structures of music. My taste in music has always been Punk/Industrial and some Northern Soul. I've enjoyed more Folk and Country music as I've aged. Since using the app, I've been listening to a wider variety of music to try and appreciate the structure. I now listen to classical music and even pop songs.”
What is the importance of music theory to you?
“I enjoy the discipline and structure of theory. Music is everywhere, mostly in the background. Theory helps in listening more closely.”
Do you have any tips to learn music theory?
“Practice every day. I think it’s easy to get bogged down in the idea that we must have total quiet to practice. That’s not always possible with 6 people in a small house, but I still manage to practice anyway.”
Photo is taken from this website: https://news.bbc.co.uk/local/southeastwales/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9156000/9156577.stm
