My Outlet

October 23, 2016 - 

For as long as I can remember, music has been so important to me.  Some of my most prominent childhood memories include music, from dancing to Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker every night with my older sister, to relaxing by the fireplace as my dad played some of his favorite Beatles songs on the guitar.  Almost every song that I own has some sort of significance to me, and whenever I listen to an old song, I’m instantly brought back to a moment in time.  While I’ve always enjoyed listening to music, a newer passion of mine has been learning to play and create music of my own.

About six years ago, I sat down at the Piano for the very first time.  I had always been so intrigued by this instrument, but had found it extremely frustrating to play prior to this moment.  This time however, I was determined to learn something, despite the fact that I had never read music in my life.  Realizing that sheet music would do me no good, I resorted to YouTube, figuring that I would be able to find some sort of tutorial.  After hours of searching the web, and plucking at keys, I had finally learned my very first song.  Don’t Stop Believing, by Journey, still remains a favorite of mine today.  Ever since then, I was hooked, and could not get enough of the Piano.  I can easily say that the Piano changed my life for the better.  Today, it is more than just an instrument to me, it is an outlet; something that I can resort to at the end of a long day, and spend hours pouring my heart out in the form of music. 

In addition to playing Piano, I also have enjoyed learning to play the Ukulele in the recent years.  It has been really great to have at college, because just like the Piano, when playing, I tend to forget about everything around me.  Something about it’s soft sound is so relaxing to me, and it has come to be my perfect outlet.  I love going back to my room after a long day, and playing the Ukulele for a few minutes.  It always completely relaxes me, and lifts me up if I’m in a bad mood.

Music has had such a huge impact in my life, and has influenced me in so many ways.  I love the sense of community that it forms, and how people can come together and create such a beautiful thing.  Music is so powerful, and has the ability to move people, taking them out of the moment, and into a completely different world for just a few minutes.  If ever I’m feeling sad, stressed or overwhelmed, I restort to music, whether that be playing music, or listening to it.  Time seems to fly when I surround myself with music, and it always seems to lift my mood.

-sb