Life in the Key of Me

Life In The Key of Me

Music has been in my life for longer than I can remember. My Dad listened to pretty much everything from Duke Ellington to Eddie Vedder. My mom listened to a lot of Joni Mitchell and Aretha Franklin. Thankfully I listened to my dads tunes more than my moms. Then I started playing the violin in 5th grade. That was one of, if not the best decision I’ve ever made. That little piece of wood has given me countless friends and inside jokes. It even got me a trip to Europe. The best thing about the violin is the lessons I learned from the music I played.

I believe in the fermata. A fermata is a symbol that means the orchestra has to hold that note until the conductor cuts it off. If timed right, that one note can hold the audience in suspense and longing until just the right time. If held too long or short, it sounds like crap. I learned that I need to find people and things worth holding onto, and to not hold on for too long.

I believe in the ritardando. A ritardando is when a part of the piece of music slow down, and then goes back to the original tempo. It can add the perfect amount of contrast to a phrase of music. I learned from this that every once and a while I need to slow down my life, even if for just a couple beats.

I believe in the coda. A coda is a special ending to a piece of music. It can follow completely the pattern of the song or go completely in the opposite direction, but if done right, it can bring the house down. The lesson I learned from this is that everyone should write their own ending. Even if it makes people think they went to the wrong funeral.

The most important lesson I learned from music has nothing to do with symbols or styles. It has to do with the relationship between music and emotions. That humble power, that gentle strength is almost unbelievable. Simple sounds can bring the most hardened warrior to tears. Simple sounds can bring thousands to their feet and make them sing in one voice. Simple sounds can express emotions when words fall short. Someone once said, “Music is what feelings sound like.” This I Believe.