The Salty Note

I go on a bit about the benefits of music, but tbh, there's a gazillion studies and articles that back me up.

Music is good for you. Learning, performing, sharing, listening, singing along... Good for everyone. It's a dopamine-inducing high (better for you than sugar too).

Read more: The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease - PMC https://share.google/YOht2iux5AyVKb5ys

Images: recent performances at the Mandurah Community Aged Care Centre by young people and our adult Salty Note Sing Squad.

Vale James Valentine, the guy who inspired me to learn sax. Thank you for reaching the high notes James. Xx

Models - Barbados (Official Music Video) Barbados was the Models second single from the 1985 Out Of Mind Out Of Sight album.

Life feels a bit topsy turvy this week right? What the world needs now is music.

Today I met Nicole's new Taylor GS mini and of course it plays like a champ and smells gorgeous. Lydia (on the right) played her recently purchased Cort acoustic, and her fingerpicking sounded awesome this morning through an amp.

My extra-qualified teacher advice for the weekend? Switch off the news feed and turn on the music. Or go buy a guitar. Playing guitar fosters happiness by acting as a therapeutic, creative outlet that lowers cortisol and releases dopamine, the brain's 'feel-good' neurotransmitter. It promotes mindfulness by anchoring you in the present, while the physical, mental, and creative engagement boosts self-esteem, cognitive function and social connection.

And if anyone asks... No, you can never have too many guitars. :)

New instrument alert!

Yes, it's a Keytar. A brand new professional quality Roland Ax-Edge.

Keytars have been around for ages, even before Prince made them cool. The earliest ancestor of the keytar was the Orphica, developed in 1795 in Vienna as a portable, strap-on piano. I love that you can whip out a keys riff, then switch to a bass line or blend in some synth. I might even crack some classical on this beauty.

Pics: Milla getting her 80's groove on, Prince with his patented purple keytar, Lady Gaga (who also plays a Roland usually) and Pseudo Echo (love some Funkytown on keytar!)

Lahni had her first outing as a busker today, for the City of Mandurah. She performed at Dolphin Quay and delighted passers-by, many of whom wanted a selfie.

Mandurah's Mayor, Amber Kearns, stopped to chat to us all and filmed Lahni as well.

Go Lahni!

Look, the world in 2026 is a lot so far right?

So let's remember to focus on some really important grounded thinking....like... Which colour rock n roll crayon do you identify as?

Google Gemini helped me out: If Ruby Tuesday walked into a room today, she’d be the person everyone notices but nobody quite understands. Ruby Tuesday is the personification of change. She reminds you that losing your mind or your way isn't always a bad thing—sometimes it's the only way to find yourself. She’s beautiful, frustratingly independent, and always one step ahead of tomorrow.

That's all folks! (Cue applause...)

Thank you for a 2025 full of support, smiles, effort and flavourful notes. Each year I reflect with pride upon this special thing we've built and it feels fantastic knowing that you love The Salty Note too.

It's been such a big year though tbh, with SO many students, new ideas, auditions, prep and performances, and I'm running on fumes. So it's time to close the door for a couple of months, eat cheese and swim with turtles, and then I'll decide what next year looks like.

Have a lovely summer whatever you choose to do. May your days be merry and bright, with more than a little musical sprinkle of Salt.

This morning I was invited to act as a tour guide at Mega Music for adult students Lydia and Nicole who were after a bundle of gear.

And..... suddenly.... I fell for this Taylor mini e-acoustic in Hawaiian Koa wood, so I've added it to our collection. Like me, Tay is compact with a big sound.

No, you can never have too many. Ever.

Let me add:
* No, you and I will not be playing Heart & Soul as a piano duet.
* Yes, that's Voltaren I'm rubbing on my hands.
* No, you can't hold my guitar.