Do you ever experience a lack of coordination or physical dexterity when abroad? My body has seemed to take mini breaks (I love this British phrase) once every so often, resulting in some physical… discomfort. Mainly, the other evening I slammed my own finger in a door. Then the next day I fell and damaged another finger on the same hand, skinned my knee, and know have awkward bruises on my arms. Although not so awkward that people have been giving me the pitying ”she’s a beaten woman” look. Maybe it’s the gray rainy weather, but the physical pain isn’t even the most annoying thing, it’s the fact that I used to play piano and oboe and then it would’ve been disastrous to have my hands ’out of order’ but now it’s just depressing that it doesn’t really matter now because I haven’t played either seriously in a couple of years. This, however, has motivated me to return to playing music.
Now, to digress, concerning music, I’ve been thinking about what it is to be a musician. My flatmates compose some great songs every now and then, and neither of them are trained in the classical sense. It’s interesting, because I’ve tried to write songs, but I get so caught up in music theory and some fancy licks that I’ve played in other songs that I end up tying myself in an ugly artistic knot. Where’s Alexander the Great when you need him? Anyhow, people give pop starts who don’t compose their own songs crap about it, but if their voices are good (and not modified too much…), they should be considered as musical as Yo Yo Ma. Right? The classically trained musical snob in me cringes a little while writing this, but honestly, both of them play music written by other people. (or does Yo Yo Ma compose as well? Sorry I’ve never read his whole bio). People criticize pop music because it is relatively simple compared to many classical works, but on the other hand, some of my favorite piano pieces are really REALLY easy and simple. But I don’t love them because they are easy to play, it’s because they are beautiful! Simplicity can be beautiful. I guess I have started rambling, but in brief, I’m just trying to console and content myself (and you readers too maybe?) that however you play or write it, it’s music, and you’re a musician, be proud and happy.
