Personal Narrative: What I Learned My First Instruments

Being a band member for eight years music came naturally to me. Picking up any instrument and belting out any sheet music placed in front of me was simple. Not only is dexterity a big role, but the role of listening is number one priority. Growing up I grasped

I took a deep breath. With my left fingers poised across the strings, I began moving my right arm slowly, but as I started playing, I hit a wall. My fingers stiffened and my right arm faltered, my violin producing a horrifying sound that could not even be described as music.

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

When it comes to my passion most don’t understand it the way I do. For the past three years my passion has been lacrosse. Since I was a freshman at Sandalwood High School my interests for the sport have grown and my devotion and commitment have reached new limits. Most people don’t understand lacrosse, they just know that it is a sport “with sticks and stuff”, and while I don’t take offense to ignorance; sharing my passion with others is never a burden. Lacrosse is one of the biggest parts of my life as of now and I believe it will continue to be for many years to come, but there’s more to the sport than most people know. Lacrosse has a history behind it older than any other sport in America, as well as the fact that as of now,

I learned two instruments my Senior year. This experience has taught me that if you are truly committed to something, you can achieve it, even if you didn’t start young.

Music has always been integral in my life. During my childhood, when I was four years old, I pressed my fingers on an oven handle like a piano. Throughout my childhood years I listened to my mom’s old-school mix CD’s, along with the Pandora music app on my old Kindle. In fifth grade, I picked up the piano. My alto saxophone studies began in seventh grade. When high school arrived, I turned my focus to guitar and voice. The more knowledge I absorbed, the more knowledge I craved. My decision to pursue music was also influenced by the inspirations I’ve encountered on my journey so far.

To push your skills forward there are many tricks by which anyone can learn musical instruments. The beginners usually need to know such tricks. It is not always important to learn a huge amount of theory, sheets and notes for gaining the music skills and become competent in playing any kind of music instrument.

In my earliest years, I can recall one of our projects with my 1st grade teacher. It was very memorable for me, because we went all out for it. The project like most of us in that class remember was to write a story. The story was Flat Stanley. I was mostly ahead of my game in my early years. Then, there came my 5th grade year, The teacher i had in that class always got on me, for not paying attention. I almost got held back that year because i couldn’t focus. That year onward, was a struggle for me.

When I started middle school I was so eager to pick up an instrument and make a sound. Unfortunately, to my despise, it wasn’t that easy. First, we had to actually learn the basics of music, like how to read music notes and rhythms. When we were finally allowed to take our

Ever since I was a toddler, music has always interested me. From requesting to listen to the jazz station on the car radio while driving, to picking up the saxophone for the first time at ten years old. I became engulfed in music. I started out taking lessons at twelve years old on bass guitar and was taught theory simultaneously within these lessons from my instructor. At age sixteen, I began playing guitar and singing.

Music isn 't just what I do, it 's who I am, and who I’ve always been. I play twelve instruments. Some fluently, some only a singular note or, maybe a song. This all started out in sixth grade when I could not decide what instrument was best for me. I started out my first two months of middle school by switching from instrument to instrument. I began with the oboe, and a week later, I changed to percussion. Only then, did I attempt to play all of the brass instruments-- and I mean all of them-- trumpet, french horn, tuba, trombone, and baritone, you name it, and I’ve probably played it. Next, I moved on to all of the woodwinds, flutes, clarinets, and all of the saxophones. Again, I cycled through the percussion instruments once again. Finally, I decided that I would rather play notes on a staff than beat something with a stick. I was forced, by my very irritated band teacher, to pick one of the two that I was better at, the alto saxophone or the trumpet. Two completely different musical instruments in two completely different musical families. Of course, as an indecisive twelve year old, I could not pick. Mr. Deneen, a woodwind player himself, chose the alto saxophone.

A memory from my childhood that I can recall is the time when my older cousin, Marc, had taken all the younger cousins, including myself, to Disneyland. We had spent the entire day there, but I can only recall fragments of the day —the gloomy morning, the antsy car ride, and the thrill of Tower of Terror, for example.

Life is full of incidents and events that throw curveballs at you. It is how you deal with those trials and hardships that make you the person that you are. Growing up, I always hated when things would suddenly change, and even today I still do. One of the biggest regrets I have, though small and simple, is when I quit playing the piano. Though this seems childish and not at all drastic, it is still something I really feel badly about not pursuing. By quitting the piano, something I was extremely good at, it has not only left a lasting effect on me, but my family as well.

In my house, we have always had a piano, but none of my family members knew how to play it. My mom taught me a very basic understanding including how to read the notes on the staff and how the notes correspond to each key on the piano, but that was all that she knew. In time, I grew to love the feeling of playing music from the heart. In continuing to play, I taught myself to play complex pieces because it made me feel satisfied and content. Now, I am able to play a vast variety of songs including jolly Christmas music, playful video game soundtracks, and beautiful melodies by Yiruma and Chopin. Throughout the years, music has evolved into an incredible stress reliever and source of enjoyment in my daily life.

Music: There is a lot to talk about when it comes to music. I have been playing music since I could walk. My first musical instrument was the piano. I started to play the piano when I was 3. Then I started playing guitar when I was four. It was a fun experience I also play the guitar today. I can play for you sometime if you want me to. I Then started to play the Electric Bass when I was in 3rd grade. I started playing the Cello when I was in 6th grade. Then the Violin, Then the Viola, Then the Acoustic Bass. Since I was 3 I have technically learned 13 musical instruments! Most of them are stringed instruments but I know a few others. Like the recorder, harmonica and I