#firstlegitpost

Music is a wondrous mystery. I am always especially inspired on Wednesdays. One, the night preceding is choir practice and also because it is the day I have my Applied Music Performance Lab. My job as a student from 11:45-1 is this: relax and listen to beautiful music performed by the amazing music students at AU. Pretty great, right? And occasionally, a passionate expert in some music field comes in and shares their wisdom. It definitely makes for an awesome day.

The only problem on these days is that homework seems so dull because I want to accomplish something incredible… a task which I have yet to achieve… or try. The problem with me saying that I can’t compose is that I never have. So really, there is no point in this statement. I surely am able to compose. I have all the tools to do it, but what is it that makes music music? Not all complex move you, and not all simple songs are pathetic. Some of the most amazing melodies are simple and can be broken up into chords and step-wise motion. So why does that one interval give one chills?

I guess where musicality comes in is when a performer transforms these notes into something extraordinary filled with meaning. Whether the melody occurs due to a vibrating string or air through a metal tube, it is the heart of the performance that gives the music’s shape. The guest musician we had in class today really made me think when giving a sort of open master class to the five students who performed. She acknowledged the skill and talent of all the performers but on what she was constantly commenting regarded performance and meaning. She is highly successful and talented as a musician but it was clear that what mattered the most to her was sharing its universal language with as many people as possible.

When thinking about it. even compositions of the greatest composers are notes on a page. And they are only highly regarded due to one individual pouring their heart and soul their art. Maybe if I just have the confidence in the collection of intervals and chords, and gave music life, I could have at least one creation to be proud of…