While many musicians find themselves writing and composing many songs of their own, one NIU student strums to a slightly different tune.

Corporate communications major Dan Modaff has made a hobby out of singing and guitar playing during the last eight years, yet when it comes to writing he is very serious. “I want to write that perfect song, but I still haven’t found it yet,” he explains.

Modaff has written a number of songs, all of which have ended up in the garbage. He claims songs about love and emotion are “so easy to just throw down onto paper,” and desires to write a song with more content and meaning. “I guess I’m my worst critique.”

Modaff, the youngest of seven children, has been following in his siblings’ footsteps since he was about seven. “Like the rest of my family, I started taking piano lessons from my grandma when I was in second grade,” he recalled.

But the family lessons stopped at about age 11 and the piano took second place to the guitar.

“I’ve never taken guitar lessons or voice lessons,” Modaff said as he picked up his guitar to play. Although, he did add that he inherited his singing ability from his mother who had done a few local operas.

Modaff said he plays just about all kinds of music but his favorite musicians are James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, Harry Chapin and The Moody Blues.

“I like the older stuff better,” Modaff said. He explains his reasons for choosing them as favorites are because “their (the musicians) songs will live on for a very long time and I like their approach to the guitar.”

Although music is just a hobby to him, Modaff enjoys performing. “I haven’t had much opportunity to do concerts, but I like to (perform) at coffee houses and (while) sitting around with friends,” he said.

e recently performed for a 50-member audience, which included NIU President John LaTourette and State Rep. John Countryman, R-DeKalb, prior to a forum in Grant Towers North residence hall. “I like playing for larger audiences, it’s easier than smaller ones,” Modaff said.

Some of his family and friends formed a group called “Pandemonium” in which Modaff recently took part. “It was a big shot in the arm when I was accepted by my brothers and able to have input in the recording,” he said.