It's only rock and roll...and they like it
Innovative music teacher brings local musicians to life

Byline: Dane Anderson
Date: January 2005
Publication: Westlake Picayune
Edition: Final
Section: People
Page: 2

There's a whole lot of rocking and rolling going on in the Westlake area, and a lot of it is due to a quirky little music school on Manchaca Road.

Natural Ear Music, run by Austin musician Michele (Mike) Murphy, is teaching dozens of area kids and quite a few local adults how to play music in a different way. Her school and way of teaching are enjoying an explosion of popularity in all age ranges, mainly because of the way she shows her students how to sing and play instruments by jumping right in there and getting started. Most of her students have formed rock bands together that practice once a week under the watchful eye of Murphy or fellow rock mentor Alvin Crow.

"What makes us different from just about every other music studio is that we teach almost exclusively by ear," said Murphy from the South Austin music complex that also acts as her home. "We are not only teaching notes and lyrics; we are teaching people how to remember music by heart."

Smart, mouthy and full of energy, Murphy is a huge hit with her students who seem addicted to the fun they find in discovering music on their own terms. She teaches Texas-rooted rock and roll music that emphasizes the works of pioneer musicians like Buddy Holly, Roky Erickson and Doug Sahm.
"Music is an ancient language, a natural means of communicating that goes back in time long before words, said Murphy. "Everything alive is set to the same musical scale - birds, dogs, people. That is not a random coincidence."

She uses human instinct to help her students recognize tones and patterns. The music heard coming from the private studio buildings at Natural Ear is positive, energetic and healthy.

"I tell kids from the beginning that there's going to be no drug references, no ugly music and no suicide rock," said Murphy, who is not above adjusting a few lyrics in songs to stick to her standards. "I am always so aware of the influence we have on kids. When you add music, that influence goes even deeper."

Huff Lewis is a Westlake businessman who joined one of the Natural Ear bands, Hot Flash, last October. He was the only member of his band to bring much musical experience with him to start. He and his four band mates practice a couple of hours every Monday evening with Crow.

"Alvin Crow has given me an opportunity to learn a lot more of the dynamics of playing with other people," said Lewis. "I learn something important every time I show up there. Maybe it's not a new chord or technique, but something about learning to really listen and work together."

After only a few months, Hot Flash is functioning as a plugged-in rock band with a play date planned in February. Another Natural Ear band, this one made up of fifth-grade girls, came together in December and plans to play at the February gig. The wild, talented and somewhat goofy members of the band haven't settled on a name yet, but they are unanimous in their adoration of Murphy.

"It's all about fun here," said Stephanie Simmons, her face glowing after her two-hour session.

"You work real hard the whole time you're here, but you don't care - even when your fingers hurt," said Jamie MacQueen. "You just learn really fast, because it is so cool you just want to keep at it."

"People are designed to learn, they're born to it," Murphy said. "I tell my kids that, unless you are an alien, you are going to learn to play guitar."