[Gráinne]

I play organ, electric keyboard, and some piano.

I started with lessons at age 7 (so that's a long time!), but I don't play regularly. The beginning lessons consisted of six books, each more advanced than the other. After that, I continued lessons until I went to college 10 years later.

My favorites were blues and some of the then-new "pop" songs of the 1970's. I figured out the Beatles' "Let It Be" on my own. I also learned a lot of classical pieces, which helped a great deal in college when I took a music appreciation course. I already knew and appreciated the composers and pieces we studied.

When I was stressed out, I used to go to the music building, find an empty practice room with a piano, and just bang out all those songs I learned. It's still a stress reliever today. I don't like playing in front of people (I played for a church, which was nerve-wracking), but put on my earphones and I'm good to go.