Music. What a curious thing! Isn’t it incredible when all those clinks, clanks, hoots, toots, and la-di-das, come together into one heart-warming sound? When all the various clangings come together in silence as the baton is lifted---and presto! Beethoven. Music takes you away; music lifts you off the ground. But with such a wide variety of choices (you could make the next note higher, accent over here), music becomes a whole new world. A realm full of bright, upbeat places, but just as close are meaningful, interesting places that make you think. There are tear-jerkers, foot-tappers, there’s rock and roll, and arm-movin’ rappers. What a world of music there is out there, instruments of all shapes and sizes, we can even make our voice into extravagant sounds and harmonies! And although the realm of music is never-ending, one of the most important things about music in my opinion, is what it means to me.
Well, considering I started piano lessons when I was 5 years old, and slowly but surely the cello, percussion, and singing have become things I do regularly, music has become a big part of my life, and in many ways, it has changed who I am as a person. As a little boy, I found practicing tedious, and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t just, “be good” at piano. And practicing wasn’t just for going back and forth to Mr. P’s house; twice a year I would perform in a recital at either Augustana College, or the great Butterworth Center. I knew it was important, yet I wasn’t as dedicated as I should have been. This bad habit, or lack of habit, continued until I wasn’t able to be comfortably playing piano anymore. I began to realize not only how vital practicing was to success, but that it was a lot easier said than done, you had to do some work. When I stopped taking piano lessons last year due to a theater opportunity (where I was constantly surrounded by great music), I started to really miss my old 30-minute lessons, and, after a year, I returned, promising my teacher that I would be focused, dedicated, and that I would work hard and practice. My following lessons have turned out to be amazing experiences, and I’m going to continue playing the piano as long as I can. All the walks to my piano teacher’s house, the 10-minute periods where I would just have to finger out each and every note to learn them better, and the countless times he said, “Slow down! Easy does it”, have really helped me to improve as a person.
Music has even given me a new view on life. In a way, the philosophy that it has given me is present many times in life. I’ve learned how nothing, including talent, can be a substitute for hard work and practice. I’ve learned to enjoy life and moments more from enjoying music, and music even helps me get through tough or blissful times. Even listening (and loudly singing) Beatles songs in the car from age 6 months to present has been a fun way to be with my family and pass time on long trips to Chicago. And oh those 3-part Liverpool harmonies.
Music affects me in so many different aspects, as well as being enjoyable, and I can see myself in 10, 20, or 60 years enjoying the piano by myself, or playing the cello in a symphony, or even rocking out with my 65+ buddies on the drumset. Music has helped me improve myself, and music has become of part of me, a part of who I am. Music means a lot to me, and I’m very grateful for that.