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Commentary
Music provides many answers
By Britt Johnsen
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2003
Britt Johnsen -- Staff Essay
During a time when life has the potential to be, or is, completely chaotic, everyone needs something to calm their senses and provide direction.
For me, that's music.
Music has always been an answer since the inception of perceptible time. I know that when I was a baby, the various sounds of music calmed me. When I was a toddler, I loved MTV. As soon as I had coherent conceptions of who artists were and how to buy their newest record, I was educated and excited about anything music-related.
When I was eight, I received a guitar for Christmas. When I was 19, I learned to play the drums. I learned through listening to music that playing music can be just as, if not more rewarding.
Through my time listening to and learning to play music, the different sounds, people and ideas behind those sounds have taught me about feelings, people, myself and the world at large.
Music has always provided for me an array of feelings that I can sometimes, and other times cannot, describe. Usually it's a song or a type of music that strikes an emotional chord within me or ignites an interesting idea (lyrically, musically or otherwise).
Music has also provided opportunities to make conversation (and friends) with people who understand the same music (or the same ideas about music) as I have. This leads to the sharing of record collections, starting bands and going to shows, which is always a very positive thing.
Through understanding people and feelings I know that I understand myself better. There are certain truths that lie in feelings and feelings expressed; without music I would feel less understood and mostly I would understand less.
Looking at the world at large, I can plainly see that I understand things better because I listen to and play music. With confidence, I feel like I can face every day comfortably because music exists.
What I would like to see then, because these truths exist (and because I know that I am not alone upon existing in these truths), I feel there should be more expression about the fact that music is so amazing and can do so many amazing things.
So I would like to take this opportunity to express my highest respect for all who have and do play music. Even if it is not of preferable quality, people take a step in the right direction by picking up a recording of a piece of music and listening to it and/or picking up an instrument and playing it.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my strongest gratitude for those who have brought good music out into the community.
That means, first and foremost, KVSC for showing the public what good music is and can be; the music stores for providing a place to buy music and musical instruments and other such products; the clubs and bars for hiring various gigs to provide for people eye-opening, inspiring music and of course, all the amazing people who have, individually, brought out into the community their points of view, ideas and/or recommendations of good music.
And to all who have listened to music or played music, take the time out to, if you don't already, appreciate music in all of its forms for everything that it is and can be.
Take time out to appreciate the people or places who have broadened your musical horizons, whether that is a venue, a person, a store or otherwise.
During a time where we need understanding and expression the most, whether that is due to the war, school-related issues or the various personal issues that can occur. Music is interesting, relieving and encouraging and will not solve every problem, but is the answer to many.
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