Music and the learning effect

All my life I wished I was more musically inclined. That I could just pick up an instrument, and learn it. I tried to learn the guitar, piano, and drums, and lost attention for all of them.

This was made all the more difficult because my best friend was incredibly gifted-- she literally taught herself electric guitar, bass guitar, and drums just from picking up the instrument. I was always envious and had put it down to the fact that it just wasn't my thing. I could sing pretty well, oh sure, but that was where my musical talent stopped. 

And then, I was casted in Cyrano de Bergerac as ensemble. I felt bad, at first, that I didn't get a bigger role, but I figured it was because I was gonna be gone for most of the summer. When I got back from my vacay, I was told that one of my characters was a musician who plays the harp. I'd always loved the way the harp looked and sounded and this one was a mini-handheld version of the larger, ornate instrument. I was so darn excited, I immediately started making songs for it. Thus began my musical understanding. 

Almost a year ago, I picked up a ukulele. Picked a few strings, strummed a few chords. It felt so right in my hands. I knew I had to purchase one. So, I bought this beautiful green one called Savannah online. She came in the mail so fast and I got home and was SO excited to start playing music. I began to tune her. Knobs, back and forth, back and forth. 

All of a sudden, the bridge broke off of the uke. Broke off and smacked me right in the FACE.

I ain't never been bitch-slapped by an instrument before.....

I bought another one, deep mahogany colour and rich tones. She has been named Sunshine and Freedom and she is just as beautiful to hear as she is to look at. A few songs have been written, and many have yet to be writ. 

Yesterday, my new ocarina came in the mail. A baby dragon's tooth ocarina, made of porcelain, but the colour is a deep mahogany. She hasn't a name, but she does have quite a beautiful voice. And, best of all, she can be worn around my neck, quick to play at any time. 

I'm learning that musical instruments (and most of life, dare I say) is not necessarily about being awesome at everything. It's about finding the things that feel right to you. 

And thus, my musical understanding continues. 

On and on and on and on

and on and on and on.