Personal Reflection : A Personal Note On Music And Music

Some people listen to music to shift their mood, while others do so to help alleviate feelings of unhappiness, or emotional discomfort. In the article “Music Evokes Vicarious Emotions in Listeners” published in 2014 by Ai Kawakami, Kiyoshi Furukawa, and Kazuo Okanoya, proposes that “we listen to sad music because it is possible to distinguish perceived emotions from those that are experienced”. (Kawakami, Kiyoshi, Okanoya) Therefore, even though sad music is usually perceived as something negative, listeners actually feel pleasant emotions while listening to sad music.

When I was in fifth grade, I was caught between two worlds, playing a woodwind or string instrument. If I played a woodwind instrument I would have to blow in it to make music, but string instruments are played with a bow to make music. After much thought, I decided that the violin was the best instrument for me, because it has a beautiful, unique sound, plus the possibilities are never-ending. I could receive a compliment from a teacher, or even get accepted to the symphony.

I walked down the street toward Bob’s Music Store carrying the violin that belonged to my grandfather. Before it was my grandfather’s, it belonged to his father when he came over from Norway. The instrument had some family history. Now that my grandfather has passed on, this was one of the few objects that I had left to remember him by.

The Musical Composition that has changed my life to how I see music is the song The Stroke from Billy Squier. I did not really know the meaning of the song, but it really Widened my Horizon in terms of music from only before listening to The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Monkeys. Then later being able to listen to Rush, AC/DC, Aerosmith And Other Really good rock bands that I still love today. Then I started collecting Records then I started collecting CDs, the first album I bought for myself is the majestic Black Sabbath Album “Paranoid” The album with the musical compositions Paranoid, Iron Man, War Pigs/Luke’s Wall, Planet Caravan, Rat Salad, Electric Funeral, And Fairies Wear Boots. This album was such an amazing introduction to Black

Many might say that the arts are stereotyped as a pass time or an extracurricular activity; I envision it as a safe haven from stress and anxiety. Throughout the past 8 years, music has played an insurmountable role in my development into the individual I have become today. Through times of disappointment and dissatisfaction, I have always resorted to music as a way to relieve myself, whether it be playing or listening. Music thrives through me, and applies to every day of my life.

I find myself in a constant state of appreciation. I worship hot coffee every morning and recently, every night. I keep in touch with my small group of friends hourly through texting or Skype, usually, and always make time to see them on the weekends. I remind myself to thank my parents for everything they’ve done for me, never taking my life or experiences for granted.

By the sixth grade, I knew that I was going to be a musician - I wanted to leave others with the same sense of wonder that music left with me. While my parents urged to me explore other options in high school, I couldn’t find the thrill that I felt from music in AP Statistics or British literature. Though I was dedicated to my music, I knew that becoming a rock star wasn’t the most realistic plan for my future, so I decided to pursue a backup degree in music production. I would dedicate my time to the band, but learn to record, mix, and master in my free time, so that if my band never made it big, I could still be involved with music. I found myself at a two-year community college trying to save as much money as possible while buying time

As an undergraduate in college not knowing what to major in is the worst feeling besides the paperwork and assignments. Writing song is my escape I put on my headphone and start singing then all the words and tune seems to match my feelings. I kept walking. As I walked across Mount Sinai Emergency Hospital I can faintly hear my mother saying “let's go to trade fair we are out of bread” to me and my younger sister. I kept walking and all of a sudden everything was black I couldn't see anything. But I could hear my mom screaming what is happening and asking for help. I was lifted and I wanted to speak but no words would come out eventually my body give in and I was fully unconscious. I woke up seeing myself getting IV shot and surrounded with elderly patients. I never felt so scared and helpless. I saw my mother face and she said smiling it was nothing to worry about my blood pressure went down at the moment. That day when I left I was so curious on how things happen. Everything about medical scares me but what scares me the worst is to not be able to do anything about it. That sparks my interest towards medicine

When I entered the band hall for the first time over six years ago, I instantly fell in love. I had heard so much about band from my older brother, and I wanted follow in his footsteps. Originally, I had three choices for what instrument I could play, flute, clarinet, and oboe, which was a decision that would determine what I would stick with for the next 7 years. I knew I couldn’t play clarinet because I wanted to choose a different path than my brother, and I turned down oboe because it was one of the more advanced instruments. So with flute as my default, I began on my musical journey that would last all throughout high school. Right off the bat, I was an extremely determined player, I practiced and practiced sometimes even more than I did

Since I was a small child I have always been musically inclined. My dad being a musician and producer, and my uncles being popular reggae artists, it is easy to understand my interest. Growing up, I taught myself to play several instruments, including the xylophone and the piano, and made many failed attempts at the guitar. I also experimented with singing, participating in both school and church choir as an alto. As a child, I found Beyoncé to be one of my biggest inspirations. In fact, some of the most memorable moments I had regarding music at this time revolved around her. For example, I can recall the first long note I ever held being from her song “Dangerously in Love”; I was just six years old. I would also memorize every one of her

Storytelling is an outlet that allows an author to describe his or her life experiences in a unique way in hopes that their readers take something meaningful away from the story. My Music: Explorations of Music in Daily Life is an interview style story which consists of Steve, a fifty-seven-year-old salesman, being asked some questions about how music has impacted his life by his daughter. Steve shows examples of initiating young people into the lore of the tribe by explaining how music has increased his patriotism, brought back many memories, and affected his experiences throughout his life.

Before taking this course, I used to just sing my songs, but never used to write them down. Throughout, the course I learned that it’s important to work on your songs even if it’s working on part of it. Taking time to improve you songs is already a step forward.

I always enjoyed playing piano, however, much to my piano teacher’s chagrin, I was not dedicated to practicing. She told me that while I was a good pianist, I would be even better if I practiced. Despite hearing the same advice for seven years, I never heeded it. (1)

Few would argue against the idea that we educate ourselves and our society so that we have adequate means with which to understand and interact with elements of the world around us. Subjects such as mathematics, language, history, and the hard sciences are granted immediate and unquestioned legitimacy in our schools, and with good reason. We encounter each of these elements of our lives on a daily basis. We need to have an understanding of these disciplines in order to interact with them, otherwise they are meaningless to us. I submit that the same can be said for the fundamental concepts of music. Music is something that we encounter in our society every day. It surrounds us. Indeed

It’s very hard to tell what really pushed me to music. Because my surrounding was absolutely unmusical there was nobody in the family who played even an instrument or was really interested in classical music.