Music reminds me of harmony and dissonance, joy and sadness, beginnings and endings. When I hear certain tunes, it takes me immediately back to a time in my life filled with fond memories. Sometimes it takes me to a place where I feel the reminders of a difficult relationship or a fearful time in my life.
I am grateful for music in my life. I enjoy making music and being a part of a community band. Metaphors about music influence my life.
Like a song, life has different rhythms and unexpected changes. Sometimes it feels fast and loud, and other times it is slow and soft. As I age, I especially appreciate the softness of music.
Music has pauses, sometimes short and sometimes grand. Tempos may change slowly with a ritardando or a speed up toward the end of a piece. My days are sometimes similar. Finding a rhythm and adapting to cut time can occur. All goes together to create the mosaic of music.
Pop, rock, folk, and classical are my favorites genres of music but I like most anything that is melodic. I am gaining greater respect for Latin, Country, and K-Pop. I have yet to appreciate all the nuances of that music. Nevertheless, I am willing to listen, and sometimes perform, new sounds and combinations of sounds.
A friend of mine, Dan Dustin, recently authored a book called Citizen Soldier. He described his conflicted experience as a Russian interpreter during the Viet Nam War. The book describes the importance of various relationships he had during his years of service. Although a minor part of the book, he identified the songs that sustained him in the late 60’s. The descriptions of the music brought me back to a time when I could connect to that era even though I had a dissimilar experience than Dan.
As in other aspects of my life today, I recognize that music does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. Music reminds me that life is not just about reaching the final note, but about experiencing and creating something interesting and memorable along the way.