In our first class, why music is important to us was brought into question. To me, there are few things in life I enjoy more than music, and even fewer things that inspire and have more of an impact on me than a good song. I have a very in depth experience with music that has shaped the type of person I am today.
I first started playing the keyboard/piano when I was twelve years old. I picked up the piano book shortly after my big sister did. She shortly gave up, and to be honest I don't know why I continued to play but nevertheless I did. I was bored with the short little songs that I was learning, I wanted to do something more musical and creative. Due to my boredom I quit my lessons .
Several years passed of me only playing songs by other artists such as Cage the Elephant and Phish when I felt compelled to learn them on my own (which was rare). I decided to come up with my own chord progressions and melodies. I was fascinated with the instrumental part of music I liked but for some reason I felt the lyrics were more important.
I started to get really into rap music because of the lyrics. I was interested in topics of addiction, poverty, depression, and all those lovely topics. My favorite rappers to this day are: Mac Miller, Earl Sweatshirt, J Cole, Kid Cudi, as well as Meechy Darko and Erik Arc Elliot both of the rap group Flatbush Zombies. I could always relate the lyrics to something I was going through or had been through in the past and that mattered to me.
Kid Cudi particularly shaped my perception of the world. He helped me realize that though I may not be able to change my situation, I could always change my view on a situation, so long as I kept my mind open. Mac Miller, Earl Sweatshirt, J Cole all shaped my outlook through their lyrics in addition, they were what got me into producing. I realized within the last year that I could combine my knowledge of song structure, music theory, and rhythm, in one complete song or beat by layering individual loops or segments together. For the past year I've been making complete beat instrumentals that can accurately reflect how I feel. The expression of self has been the number one reason why I love music.
I agree with many of the ideas you express here. Lyrics are an important aspect of much of the music I listen to too. The dichotomy between lyrics and instrumental are often viewed as two separate entities; you either like one or the other, but in most cases, they work together.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that music can be a form of motivation to work towards something you want, like how you didn't like playing the little songs you were learning in your lessons so you took it amongst yourself to learn what you are actually interested in. I also agree with the fact that different types of music you listen to can help you learn something about yourself and the world around you.
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