I actually began writing music on a piano in my later High School years. But, before that I played several instruments for school and at home. Since my dad was a Methodist pastor at the time, there was usually a piano someplace for me to noodle on.
In 4th grade I started playing the trumpet, which got me interested in playing music for the first time. My parents (especially my mother) had lots of record albums that I’d listen to and would sing selections from them while out-and-about.
In 5th grade, I went to a new school which didn’t have a band. So, I started self-teaching myself music on the piano at home.
At the next school, I played trumpet for a while, until they needed a baritone horn player. And, truth be told, I really wasn’t very good at either. I remember that our school marching band got invited to participate at a halftime football game at Cornell University. I couldn’t march and play at the same time. So, I ended up just pretending to play.
That’s also where my mother made the sacrifice to get me piano lessons. That did not go well because I wouldn’t practice my lessons (I just wanted to do my own thing). So, my teacher eventually told my mother not to waste her money on me.
Next, in High School, they needed cellists for the orchestra. So, I ended up taking up the cello. That was cool. I really liked the sound. It just took too much time to learn where all the “notes” were on the fingerboard.
In college (at Syracuse U.), I still noodled on pianos placed around the dorm halls. Being as that was more in the open, I got several comments, both good and bad. But, there were so many excellent pianists around that I decided to pick up something more private. So, I bought a cheap guitar and started teaching myself that. And that’s what got me started in earnest with my writing “career”.
I didn’t last long in college: 2 1/2 years. As you might have guessed, studying was not something I did well. Besides, I really don’t think I was meant to be an Aerospace Engineer. I just liked the idea of working on engines that would push us beyond our planet. So, I dropped out and enlisted in the US Air force, since I didn’t want to get drafted and avoidance of duty was not in the picture.