In my time, I've heard a good amount of music. Radio music. Symphony Hall music. Bluegrass music. Street music. Middle school music. Every single time, music manages to surprise me and cast a spell which never ceases to enchant me. A good number of years ago, I fell under music's charm. I joined the band, learned a stringed instrument on the side, and began playing music around Aiken with my duo partner. I couldn't get enough of this wonderful art. I spent my evenings practicing for several hours and allowed my free time to be used up with YouTube music listening. Around this time, I had met my angel of music who inspired me to my passion for music. This person opened opportunities for me and taught unique details about music. I say all this to imply the divine splendor of music. Plato once wrote, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything." There is something truly divine about music after all, it is a gift given to us by God. Music is something which defeats all boundaries. It transcends language barriers, social class barriers, and age barriers. It embraces diversity and gives a home to anyone and everyone. It's true that not everyone capable of attending the great performances at the Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall, but still everyone has the opportunity to find music and listen. Listening takes talent. This talent requires you to open up your mind to the possibilities, to be open to whatever you may hear. Listening is directive something little kids have trouble with and an unattainable act some elderly possess. In our time on this earth, we must open our minds, our ears, and most importantly, our hearts to music. Some years ago, I discovered that listening--truly listening--was a choice and gift. I used to listen to music in the dark quiet of the night when all was silent in the house. I'd turn off the lights in the room, close my eyes, listen to the music, and let its sound wash over me. In those moments, I could feel the music, feel every emotion woven into the melodies and harmonies. In my mind, I'd separate the sounds of particular instruments and allow my ear to hear the journey of that one instrument. I could move my ear about the ensemble and remark on the dependence one instrument had upon another. It never ceases to amaze me how melody, harmony, and rhythm work together to create a product which contains so much unspoken meaning. Expression through music is something which has always manages to fascinate me. I doubt I'll ever forget my love for music.
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AuthorKendall Driscoll is an accomplished writer/ musician/ artist/ academic scholar. Archives
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