The Influence of Music

I believe music has been a very powerful instrument in the formation and shaping of who I am and who I am becoming. When I was in junior high school, if I had to describe myself in one sentence, it probably would have sounded something like “I’m a Christian 13 year old that plays guitar.” From a very early age, a love for music has been engrained into who I am, largely by my Father who is an active and very proficient musician. My Dad used to play his guitar for hours on end when my sister and I were growing up. One of my favorite times that he would play was after my sister and I were in our rooms going to sleep. He would sit in the living room playing and we would drift off to the beautiful melodies of his acoustic songs. To this day one of the most comforting and peaceful sounds to me is a solo acoustic guitar. It makes me think of my Dad and the comfort and safety of knowing he loves me and also reminds me of the influence he has been on my life.
I believe that the study of music has taught me a lot about how to think critically, solve problems, and express myself. Music theory is very mathematical in nature and demands the use of the technical side of the brain to understand and analyze. However, the creation of music itself is a very expressive endeavor, requiring the use of the creative side of the brain. Both of these elements blend beautifully together to exercise the entire brain. When composing a piece of music, one must understand the workings of music theory, but also listen to the music they are creating and evaluate the emotions being evoked by the blend of melody and harmony. Learning to play and compose music has helped me develop both sides of my brain.
I also believe music has been and still is a powerful tool in the formation and development of society and culture. To my knowledge, there is not a culture on planet earth from the past or present that does not have music in some form. Everywhere from the jungles of the Amazon, to the mountains of Mongolia ring the echoes of rhythm, melody, harmony, and lyric. These essential elements of music blend together to influence the development of thought and heart in as many diversities of people as the styles of music they play. As long as we have music, it will continue to be a part of who we are and who we are becoming.