Music is a talent that has become part of my personality and my ability to build character. I’ve been accustomed the ability to play a musical instrument that has benefited me in many different ways throughout the past several years. I have the ability to read music which in return would make it possible for me to not only play my alto saxophone, but also play a piano if I wanted to. Miss Lucy said, “Your lives are set out for you (Ishiguro 81)” and I believe that because in a way, because I found music, I found myself. My musical talent has increased my focus in school in most if not all of my subjects. Having a talent in music provides entertainment and joy for others who aren’t musically talented, but it also has benefits for the musician. Being musically talented can actually help an individual relieve stress and they tend to look at the world differently than others. Musicians also show a greater display of emotions than those who obtain no musical ability.
Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves. Artists do it through painting or sculpting, writers do it through writing, poets do it by creating poetry, and musicians do it by creating, playing, or listening to music. Having musical talent isn’t just about providing entertainment or using emotions. Most people who play or can read music have stronger math, reading, and comprehension skills than others. Us musicians also tend to have better hand-eye coordination because of needing to reading music and us the right keys based on what the note is. Some people may think that this sounds easy, but let me say that I know firsthand how challenging this can actually be, especially when it’s a fast paced song with sixteenth notes. We also have stronger memories because a lot of repetition is used and most music instructors make their students memorize their music. Knowledge in everyday subjects such as history and english tend to be easier for most of those with musical talent.
Most people only associate music with the arts, but it can be associated with every major subject. History can be associated because of its close connection with cultural history. Math can be associated because it’s needed for determining how long a note or rest is for and also for the time signature. Science is my favorite for being associated because most people don’t realize that having an instrument and taking care of it so that it works is a science because it should never be exposed to extreme temperatures or conditions. In most circumstances, being talented in something means requires specific skills, but it also makes them stronger and builds new skills. Music requires focus, listening skills, and occasionally team skills.
All of these skills were something I wasn’t confident with when I started playing my saxophone in 5th grade. One skill that wasn’t very strong and barely existed was my focus skills. I have had a major improvement with that in the past several years and I’m proud of myself for it. Just like any other talent, the required skills are tested to their limit only to help them improve. In music, patience is something that is needed and quite often tested, but only to improve my music and ability to focus for long periods of time. Being good at something and having a passion for it requires skills based on what the talent is. For me, music requires many skills yet I find that every day they are tested and they grow stronger and stronger as a result. For most people, being athletic is a talent that strengthens your health concerning your muscles mainly. In my case, music does the exact same thing, except it’s not muscle strength that improves, it’s respiratory health. Most people don’t believe me when I tell them that, but I have actual proof that my respiratory system has improved since I began playing my alto saxophone. When I was younger, I used to have asthma badly and I needed an inhaler every day.
Within maybe three years of playing my instrument, my asthma disappeared almost entirely and I no longer needed to use and inhaler. My doctor couldn’t even believe that by using my lungs more often I basically eliminated my asthma. When I heard this news, I was extremely excited and I felt calm yet confused that it had just disappeared. Kathy said once, “I’d felt comforted, protected almost (Ishiguro 137).” Thinking back, that was exactly how I felt when my doctor told me I no longer needed to use my inhaler. The amount of joy that I have when I play my instrument, knowing that I don’t have to worry about my asthma anymore is immense. Music has helped me overcome my asthma and I think that’s where I began to really connect with it and started to develop a deep passion for it.
The amount of change that has happened in my life since I developed a passion and talent in music is unbelievable. I used to be this shy girl that would only listen to music in the car, but all that has changed since I have learned what a powerful thing it is. I never used to sing in the car with friends as a result of being picked on because I can’t sing, but one time I did without thinking and I realized that not everyone is perfect so there should be nothing to be afraid of. It’s like Kathy says, “This time around it wasn’t awkward or embarrassing any more; just somber and serious (Ishiguro 88).” I now listen to music everywhere I am, if I can, and I find myself singing along no matter who’s around or where I am. I always have music on in my room, or I’m in my car listening to a playlist that I made or at the beach sharing my playlist and seeing what others think of it. Music is more than just a song, artist, notes, or melody. To me, music is my passion and because I’m passionate about it I understand more about it than most people that I know. Music is all around you every day, no matter where you are, but most people just don’t realize it.
Music makes me stop and listen to the song whether it’s the lyrics, the instrumental part, or simply just the entire song itself. Different songs create different emotions for different people and they can have a different affect on those who listen depending on who’s listening and what their past is, and I completely support that statement. Giving up my musical talent and my passion would be challenging I fully admit, but I feel as if someone would benefit from it just as much, if not more, as I have. Music is most likely the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have shaped into a student in school who understands things with more detail than I used to and I believe that this is because of music.
From other people’s perspective, I think that they can tell how much music means to me. I’m part of the marching band at school as well as the concert band. I’m even the section leader of the alto saxophones, which proves that music strengthens team skills. To some people I understand that I may seem nerdy or a geek because I’m in the school band, but I have learned to ignore all of those comments and remarks from them because this is what I love to do and it allows me to express myself freely. Being part of the high school band is one decision that I’m glad I did. Since becoming part of the high school band, I have made new friends in all different grades and with different personalities. We all have two things in common though, our passion for music and our ability to be talented doing what we have learned to do. Nothing can describe the amount of respect and support we all give to each other in the music program at Bellingham High School. Those of us in the music program are among the most active and motivated students in the school, all because of the positive effect music has had on us.
Music has taught me lessons in life that no teacher could have ever taught me, and I’m so thankful for being able to have this talent in my life. Music can be a sport in many ways, it creates friendships, makes you a better and stronger person, and most importantly it builds character. By creating friendships in music, I have learned that I’m not the only one with a passion for it. I can go to other members of the band and talk to them about a song on the radio and see what they thought it meant and see if they have a different view than I do. Music has strengthened my respiratory system, but it has also strengthened my reading ability, and my ability to believe in myself. By completing assignments every quarter, I set a goal to learn a certain section of a piece and I always reach the deadline I set for myself. I challenge myself to be a better musician constantly and I am filled with pride and joy once I reach my goal and overcome the obstacle. Not only do I understand thing better in school, but I also seem to understand life a little more than other students do.
Most songs are written about current life or current events, and by being able to interpret what a song means, I’m able to understand what is going on in that artist’s world or the world in general. Finally, music has this indescribable way of reaching my emotions like nothing else can. I’m positive that everyone has gotten chills down their arms for at least one song because the music just sounds and feels that amazing. This happens to me for every six out of ten songs I listen to. I’m not sure why songs trigger more of my emotions than other, but I can’t say that I’m complaining. Music makes me feel alive and this passion is something that I would love to share with someone who doesn’t or is unable to experience music like I do. Music provides joy and happiness and I would be miserable without it. I am thankful for music because music the world’s voice and without it, the world would be silent and that would be a terrible thing.
