Music is the biggest part of my life right now. Ever since I remember, I have been taking piano lessons. In fact, I have probably been playing piano for ⅔ of my life. Slowly, this transitioned into me picking up a couple different instruments, joining the band and the orchestra, and completely immersing myself in musical extracurriculars. So, before I blog about anything else music related, I think it would be apt to detail how I fell in love with it, what music means to me, and the skills I have acquired because of it.
Culture and Music
As an Indian-American, music, especially Bollywood music, has been a prevalent aspect in my life. My dad plays sitar, and my mom sings classical music. Every night before bed, when I was younger, they would sing me to sleep. We sing prayers every night before bed, and there is always music playing somewhere in the house. Because of this immersion, even before I started playing, I loved listening to Bollywood music. Even now, as I drive to school, I pull up a playlist made years ago filled with my favorite Bollywood songs. As I’ve grown, I have slowly begun to expand my musical knowledge, but my culture marks the roots of my fondness of music. Every year, for Mother’s Day, I play my mom a Bollywood song she loves on piano and oboe, and it feels like I am connecting with my family better through music.
Piano
My parents put me in piano at a very young age. They are both fond of music, so they wanted me to learn how to play an instrument. I did other things, like taekwondo and swimming, but those slowly fell away, while piano remained. I used to hate practicing, and I would goof off and never commit. I didn’t get better, and my teacher would lament that I could improve quite a bit if I just put in more effort. My mom began to set a schedule for me, in which I would wake up every morning and practice before school. Now as I enter my senior year of high school, it has gotten more difficult to practice regularly, but all those years of strict scheduling taught me a few important skills. I learned how to commit to something and stay focused. Without this skill, I would have no drive towards my goals. Creating a long term schedule to achieve a goal has put me through 4 years of high school, helped me stay on track with my grades, while also leaving me time to enjoy myself. Piano was also the first time I got to experience creating something. Whenever I got stressed or emotional, I could go over to the piano and play something beautiful. It was an endorphin rush, and that’s where my love started.
Oboe
I started playing oboe for the beginning band in sixth grade. I wanted to play something loud and jazzy, like a saxophone or trumpet, but my band director assigned me to oboe. I’d never heard of the instrument before, and it didn’t seem cool at all. As the year progressed, I somehow sounded worse than when I started. I only had one volume: loud. Plus, I sounded like a chorus of angry ducks, honking away at the world. My director made me sign up for private lessons to improve my playing. I tried a few different lesson teachers until one finally stuck in seventh grade. My lesson teacher has taught me everything I know, and she is the reason oboe is my favorite instrument now. I’ve only been playing it for 7 years, but I know that I will continue for the rest of my life. My oboe is my prized possession; my one thing to save in case of a fire. Playing oboe has taught me passion. Playing it brings me true, unadulterated joy, and that is why I join so many musical extracurriculars. The different bands and orchestras I sign up for may fill up my schedule, but it also gives me a chance to play as much as possible. Having a hobby that gives me this much happiness makes my long days go by smoothly. It has taught me that finding something to love can brighten every aspect of your life.
Percussion
After learning oboe and piano, I was pretty done with new instruments. Two was enough to focus on, but that plan hit a small roadblock. I wanted to join the marching band, but oboes were not allowed. I had to pick a new instrument, so I went to the percussion section. I already could play piano, so I assumed that I would be put on the synthesizer. Instead, I got assigned to the vibraphone, forcing me to learn another instrument. I joined winter percussion so I could get better, and eventually I earned a spot on the marimba line. However, getting to that point was tough. I didn’t know anyone in the percussion section, and as a shy freshman, making friends was tough. Joining percussion forced me to come out of my shell and meet new people. The friends I made that year are some of my best friends today, and winter percussion is one of my favorite musical seasons. I get to play an instrument that I don’t play regularly, and I get to spend time with my close friends. If I had not joined percussion, I wouldn’t have had the push I needed to get involved and branch out.
The Future
As I start thinking about college and what I want to do for the rest of my life, music is always a part of it. I want to minor in music in college, partly so I can continue playing in ensembles throughout college. No matter what I end up doing for a career, I want to join a local orchestra or band wherever I end up. Music brings me happiness, and it is permanently entwined into who I am.