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Cecil Noel
Musician Extraordinaire
When did you first discover your love for music ?
It was at a very early stage of my life , about the age of 4 , when I developed this compulsive habit of drumming on any and everything , swinging my legs in a pendulum fashion to the rhythm in my head and singing . I was often scolded for drumming on the dinner table . However , it did not take long for my mom , grand parents and others to realize it was an uncontrollable and unstoppable behavior and therefore allowed me to continue , to the annoyance of some and at the same time the enjoyment of other family members . Guess what , eventually they joined in at times .
How many musical instruments do you play ?
I play just about all percussion pieces including but not limited to : Toc toc , cow bell congas , Bongo , tambourine , timbrelita , as well as the Drum set . I also play the Bass Guitar , Rhythm Guitar , any of the steelpans and a bit of piano / keyboard . In addition , years ago I played the cuatro , harmonica and flute .
At what age did you start playing
the steel pan , and what motivated your interest in It at that time ? At the age of 9 . Seeing my dad , uncle , close friends attending practice and playing this phenomenal instrument , as well as the proximity of the Commancheros ‘ band house ’ from my home , which was just about 30 meters , were motivating factors influencing my appetite for steelpan music . There was something about the sound of the music emanating from the steeldrums that was very compelling and unable to escape . I just wanted to be a part of this great musical experience .
I started playing with the assistance of adults such as Oliver ‘ Dolly House ’ Charles , who held me up or allowed me to stand on the then existing soft drinks crates , as I was too small and short to reach the pan . I first started off by secretly leaving home and going to the pan house to look at what was taking place , then I ventured into the pan house to hold the pan stick and get a feel for playing the instrument . Eventually , my secret escapes were discovered