For many people, music becomes a part of our soul. Favorite songs link directly to memories. Like an olfactory flash, certain notes transcend us to a long-past time and place: a first dance, a last kiss, a moment with friends or a parent's words.

While we seem drawn to today's hits or to individual styles or genres, a slight step outside one's acquainted boom box can prove worthwhile.

Husband and wife team, Larry and Debbie Norris, have coupled their love of music and antique instruments with a willingness to educate younger generations.

They will perform for the Daphne Public Library Teen Board meeting from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Feb. 14.

They will showcase several unique instruments such as a ukulele, tenor guitar, autoharp and bowed psaltery so that teens can listen and learn, according to Louise Youngblood, young-adult librarian.

"Debbie and Larry will offer an unique and memorable music experience to our teen library patrons," she said. "Often, young and old feel intimidated by the thought of learning a new skill-especially, playing a musical instrument."

"Debbie and Larry, through their personal stories can help relieve some of those ill-founded inhibitions. Personally, they can share their own reserve or reticence to master a new musical skill. Also, they hope to provide an interactive experience by inviting teens to bring their own string instruments if they would like to participate in making music during our time together. Debbie and Larry hope to encourage full participation and will offer those who do not play an instrument an opportunity to create their own song lyrics during the folk song segment."

Larry said he is happy to share his passion.

"Many people, especially the younger generation, have no knowledge of stringed instruments other than the guitar," he explained. "This is due to the types of popular music that feature only this instrument."

"It is important to share the knowledge of other unique types of instruments with the young people to show the difference in the sounds that they will produce and the unique music that can be played using them."

He said this opportunity might have lasting affects.

"Presenting any workshop or program that features unique instruments and the music mainly associated with them helps to keep this art form alive-it insures that their use, and their music might be a spark that will create an interest in future generations to want to keep playing these musical instruments and the music."

"The elimination of music from the schools, other than 'band,' has stopped the knowledge of folk and other types of Americana music, which is a part of our history and needs to be saved."

Debbie agreed.

"It is important to share information about these unique instruments with young people, because it might light a spark in their lives and cause them to pursue more musical knowledge and experience," she began. "We hope this workshop will promote interest in folk music instruments and folk music in general."

"It seems that songs many older people know by heart are not known to younger people. Some folk music is very old and tells stories that do not need to be lost."

Larry said he hopes to inspire others, just as these instruments inspire him.

"My first love is playing the ukulele," he divulged. "I bought my first one at a yard sale about four years ago."

"I had longed to play an instrument, but never took the time to learn, so I said, "it is never too late and began to learn to play. I later discovered the tenor guitar, which is a four-sting instrument, and plays similar to a ukulele, but with a guitar sound. Now, I have how gone electric with my ukulele and tenor guitar, having both acoustic and electric ones. I began to play prior to my retirement and since have had more time to devote top laying. My wife and I now share a love of playing our instruments, learning new songs and performing. We play with other groups of retired musicians in two groups in

Fairhope. The Jubilee Pickers and the Jam n Folks are two groups of fine players who also have a love of playing many unique instruments while playing folk, gospel and ethnic music."

Debbie has two different bonds that feed from the same source.

"My two main instruments at present are piano and autoharp," she explained. "I started playing piano at a young age and have played for churches, groups, etc., for many years."

"I always shied away from stringed instruments, thinking they were too hard to play until I remembered an old, autoharp I had strummed long ago. I bought a new one about three years ago and the bug bit hard. The autoharp was definitely the stringed instrument for me. In seeking an autoharp teacher, I found my way to the Alabama Folk School at Camp

McDowell. I had instruction there during two sessions with two excellent teachers, Carol Stober and Deborah McCord. In the last two years, I have also acquired a D-scale bowed psaltery, a melodica and a twelve bass accordion which I play from time to time. I love the challenge of learning to make music on these unusual instruments."

She said her path is unique, but absolutely fulfilling.

"Playing the piano and singing have always been an enjoyable part of my life," she mused. "Music feeds my spirit."

"The addition of these more unusual instruments has filled many hours of sheer joy for me. Taking on an artful challenge like this has been the continuation of a lifelong love of learning and accomplishment for me. You know, old dog-new tricks can actually happen. As far as piano playing goes, I think I was born with that desire. When I was four, I got a pink, toy piano for Christmas, and one summer day my sister, Nellie, sat under a shade tree and taught me where the notes were on the keyboard and how to read them on the music staff. So my sister inspired me to love and pursue music in my life. When Larry started playing ukulele, I wanted to play a stringed instrument, so we could play together. That's when the autoharp came on the scene. The other instruments are some I liked and wanted to see if I could learn to play them."

Larry agreed that spreading knowledge is easy when hobbies bring such happiness.

"As I stated before, I have always wanted to play music-it is hard to listen to music and not want to be able to play along," he said with a smile. "Finding my first ukulele at a yard sale four years ago was the first step in achieving my dream." "Finding other musicians who share the same love helps to make you become a better player and helps you to hold on to those dreams. It is never to late to learn to do anything that you want to. You just have to start."