Music
If I could have a choice as to where my strengths lie, one area in which I would certainly choose in is that of music. I have said it before, but I will say it again - music is truly an amazing thing. Is it not amazing how a sad, melancholy tune is never mistaken by anyone as a carefree, happy one? Or how a song which laments a failed relationship is never mistaken to be a song which tells of a blossoming one? We seem to instinctively know the difference... all without any form of formal or informal education in music. We just know. 7 whole tones... just 7, and it can so adequately describe our emotions. The english language requires 26 alphabets and years of education. Granted, the english language is capable of describing more than just our emotions, but for all its brilliance, it is unable to as accurately as music, describe the single most difficult thing - our feelings. Perhaps it is because, music like our emotions, is something more vague; whereas the english language is much too precise to describe them.
It never fails to amaze me how just 7 tones, in different permutations and rhythm, can create so diverse a language. The same notes, in the same order, but with a different rhythm could have an entirely different feel. Of course, music today has many different genre; but I shall lump all of them into 2 major groups. The older, classical music and the newer contemporary music. Each has its own beauty, and are nice in different ways. The music of our time is something which is more... immediately gratifying in a sense. They are easier to accept but there is something missing from it. I can't quite point out exactly what, but classical music is.... more nourishing to the soul so to speak. Perhaps it's because I first came to like classical music in difficult times that I feel this way about it. It came to me as something to hold on to as the flood threatened, and maybe thats why I view it thus. It teleports you into a world, a world different from which you are physically in, a world where you can find solace, joy or even healing. There's just something about it which can absorb and assimilate you temporarily into the composer's world. Of course, not all classical pieces are written to express emotions or feelings... some are written to showcase the virtuoso's skills.. which is entertaining, but might not be very nice to listen to. The best pieces are those which are emotional and showcases the virtuoso's skills.. haha.. you get the best of both worlds then.
Personally, if I had the talent, I wouldn't mind dedicating my life to music... to just perform around the world in an orchestra. Practice might be difficult, but it's certainly worth the effort when you can be immersed in the music during the performance. I've been a student-athlete for all my secondary school and J1 life, and hence, it is with all fairness that I say that sports is different from music in that it is more selfish. Selfish in the sense that when you go out and compete in an event, its all about you. It's all about trying to win that gold. Music is different in that when you go out to perform, you want to do your best not because of any medal, but because you want to convey your love, your passion for music, to the audience. The audience and the performer forms a kind of positive feedback system. The audience appreciates a well-executed piece and applaudes the performer(s) readily, which then spurs the performer to do even better for the next item. The cycle generates a wonderful atmostphere... one that certainly makes a good concert worthwhile, and one that makes everyone present to not want that night to end. A good concert simply takes your breath away, making you wish that the magical night will never go away.
Music is a classic example of something which we both know but yet not know. We know how music is generated.. the physics behind it is well-developed. There is no uncertainity as to how it is generated by our musical instruments, but we are completely at a loss as to why it has such a powerful effect on us. It somehow relates to our feelings instinctively and that is no doubt why it remains so mysterious and unexplained.... because we still can't quite explain nor describe adequately our feelings with words. It simply has to be experienced.
It never fails to amaze me how just 7 tones, in different permutations and rhythm, can create so diverse a language. The same notes, in the same order, but with a different rhythm could have an entirely different feel. Of course, music today has many different genre; but I shall lump all of them into 2 major groups. The older, classical music and the newer contemporary music. Each has its own beauty, and are nice in different ways. The music of our time is something which is more... immediately gratifying in a sense. They are easier to accept but there is something missing from it. I can't quite point out exactly what, but classical music is.... more nourishing to the soul so to speak. Perhaps it's because I first came to like classical music in difficult times that I feel this way about it. It came to me as something to hold on to as the flood threatened, and maybe thats why I view it thus. It teleports you into a world, a world different from which you are physically in, a world where you can find solace, joy or even healing. There's just something about it which can absorb and assimilate you temporarily into the composer's world. Of course, not all classical pieces are written to express emotions or feelings... some are written to showcase the virtuoso's skills.. which is entertaining, but might not be very nice to listen to. The best pieces are those which are emotional and showcases the virtuoso's skills.. haha.. you get the best of both worlds then.
Personally, if I had the talent, I wouldn't mind dedicating my life to music... to just perform around the world in an orchestra. Practice might be difficult, but it's certainly worth the effort when you can be immersed in the music during the performance. I've been a student-athlete for all my secondary school and J1 life, and hence, it is with all fairness that I say that sports is different from music in that it is more selfish. Selfish in the sense that when you go out and compete in an event, its all about you. It's all about trying to win that gold. Music is different in that when you go out to perform, you want to do your best not because of any medal, but because you want to convey your love, your passion for music, to the audience. The audience and the performer forms a kind of positive feedback system. The audience appreciates a well-executed piece and applaudes the performer(s) readily, which then spurs the performer to do even better for the next item. The cycle generates a wonderful atmostphere... one that certainly makes a good concert worthwhile, and one that makes everyone present to not want that night to end. A good concert simply takes your breath away, making you wish that the magical night will never go away.
Music is a classic example of something which we both know but yet not know. We know how music is generated.. the physics behind it is well-developed. There is no uncertainity as to how it is generated by our musical instruments, but we are completely at a loss as to why it has such a powerful effect on us. It somehow relates to our feelings instinctively and that is no doubt why it remains so mysterious and unexplained.... because we still can't quite explain nor describe adequately our feelings with words. It simply has to be experienced.
posted by Jun Yi at 11:28 PM
2 Comments:
Cheers. =)
i agree ninny! in a sense...it feels more selfless and something u would want to share...to let others feel e same way u do..the joy or sadness or maybe just hope:)
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