For about half of my life, I’ve been playing an instrument. In fifth grade, I picked up my very first trumpet and I fell in love with it immediately. Along the way, I learned a ton of different instruments, mostly focusing on the brass family (trumpets, tubas, mellophones). I dabbled in percussion, but my heart fully belonged to brass instruments. It wasn’t until high school that I really appreciated the beauty that came from instruments. I loved to create my own short little songs that no one would ever hear, play beautiful solos, and create magic with my band. Recently, I started playing the acoustic guitar. I’m teaching myself, and so far, I think I’m doing great! It’s so much fun and I truly love the creativity that comes with it.
Playing an instrument is truly its own art form. It takes dedication, precision, and so much love and care. You have to build a relationship with your instrument, which is exactly what I did. My guitar has a name: Greta, and I handle her with so much care. When it comes to instruments, you build a relationship with them based on how you play. If you play often, your relationship will be great.
You need to understand your instrument. Knowing which valves do what, how to tune, how to clean it, and just how to handle it is so important. But the most important thing of all is that you MUST love your instrument. If you don’t love what you’re playing, find something new. Experimenting with music is so much fun.
Music is extremely therapeutic to me. It brings out so many emotions. I feel physical chills, physical sadness, physical excitement, and all kinds of things when I play OR listen to others play. I’m able to feel my feelings and put that energy into my instrument, which only helps the relationship grow. I love how music can light me up. It brings a certain life to me that only exists when music is present. I share a bond with my friends, and with my family, but there is no bond like the one I have with music.