Yet another semester flew by. leaving me with only 3 left before I'll have to leave the security and carefreeness of college. This semester has been difficult - it has been educational to say the least, in many different ways, but more on that later.
One of the most noticeable changes in the semester has been my involvement in music, and that's what this post will be about.
I decided to take up piano lessons again for several reasons.
The main catalyst was when I first heard the wonderful Xak Berjken play the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.4 - although it is nowhere close to being considered one of Beethoven's most favorite movements, it has now become my favorite. Because something about the way Xak played the movement touched some part of my brain, and it made me feel. I felt sorrow, and back then I definitely did not appropriately appreciate the music we played in orchestra. So when that sting hit me, I was surprised that such simple notes can trigger such strong emotions - it didn't even have lyrics! Immediately I thought to myself that I want to be able to do that too; I want to be able to make other people feel.
So after that, one thing led to another, and after following my own advice from my last blog post (don't push off until tomorrow, do it now) I decided to practice hard over the summer and audition for lessons with Xak.
I think he did me a big favor by accepting me - I am nowhere nearly as good as his other students and definitely do not deserve all his expertise. But hey, no complaints :)
And even though I disappointed Xak in the amount of time I devoted to practicing (he expected an hour a day), I was proud of myself for practicing the amount I did with my 24 credits.
That's part one of my music involvement. I'm also now the president of my Therapy Thru Music club, and go on almost all the weekly trips. And also for the first time in my life, I started preparing and appreciating the music we were making in orchestra - I actually sat in front of a youtube video of the piece we were playing, opened up my score, and followed it as the video was playing. I enjoyed every second of it.
I am also now a fulltime chimesmaster and play in the bell tower a minimum of three concerts a week.
I also took two music classes for my minor: Tonal theory and psychology of music, and never missed a SINGLE lecture - first time in my college career; I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot from both classes.
For the first time in my life, I started listening music while I studied - classical music, it actually helped me concentrate, can you believe it? Any form of noise used to be the biggest distraction for my at work, but somehow, I have become immune to this.
And the combination of all those things above has taught me to appreciate music, especially classical music as I never have before. This time it was completely voluntary - all those hours I put into practicing, listening, rehearsing, were not because I wanted to shut my mom up, but because I wanted to and it helped me relax.
I remember the times when I was having a horrible day, and after 2 hours of orchestra rehearsal, I'd step out feeling a contentment that no consoling words from friends would have achieved. I probably sound like the biggest nerd right now, and that's exactly how I first felt after I stepped out of the rehearsal room feeling...fulfilled. But that became a recurring theme and eventually I've come to accept it - music is powerful.
Now don't get me wrong, I am by no means good at my instruments - and I am not saying that to be humble. I'm mediocore. I may have had the potential to be amazing, but i didn't have the training. I actually recently found out that when I was 3 my mom desperately tried to send me to professional music school but continously failed becaues I wasn't born with the "right fingers for piano" and my parents failed music ear training tests so I was "genetically disadvantaged" to becoming a talented musician (freaking Chinese systems, it was because they didn't have music training!)
Anyway, If I were given the chance to redo everything knowing what I do now, I would choose to become a professional musician - I think I could have. One of the things I would do is play for the Hollywood Studio Symphony and record movie soundtracks. That's just so cool.
Music is so emotionally powerful, at least for me -- My mom called me once and played the piano tunes she learned over the phone for me, and those simple, out of rhythm stumpy notes were enough to bring tears to my eyes - I really cound't tell you why.
I would be sitting by myself, doing just fine, but listening to a gentle song would make me so lonely and long for company...or a guy LOL pathetic. but as soon as the music ended I was quickly able to pull myself together.
But anyway, I'll wrap up before this gets any longer than it already is.
Music has always been a part of my life. I started piano when I was 4 and have been involved in some kind of music constantly since then. But not until this past semester have I been able to feel it. It is so significant and satisfying that I don't know how i could have lived and wasted all these valuable years of my life not knowing what I do now.
Oh, and Merry Christmas! :)
