My take on the music

I myself have grown up as a music critic. When going on a date with a friend of mine to a choir concert, she teased me all night long because I would cringe every time someone was off tune or a melody didn't sit right with me. Thats just how it is- Its hard for me to control my emotions when it comes to music, whether displeasure or excitement. It takes alot for a song to enter into my Ipod playlists. 

Most people would say that It would be easier to be deaf than blind (true, it would be easier to "live" when living includes walking, reading, talking, etc.) but when it comes to me I think I would have a hard time living without being able to articulate a melody, tapping out a rhythm, or feeling the chills and beauty that only a dissonant chord can bring. 

A great man explained music as not just complete emotion (for example, heavy metal bands who sound like they are vomiting and exploding their instruments. . . or any emo band), nor is it complete terms and complexity (like your Chamber Orchestra, the period of the renaissance, and all the classical things that are 'appropriate' and 'structured'). Its just the right blend of emotion and musicality produced to enhance the tones that ought to be stressed. Sounds kinda complex. Yes, and yet it makes sense once it is understood. Let me elaborate-

If one were to listen to a Bach concerto, a Mozart sonata, or a monk chant, they would be able to sense some sort of structure or pattern (a.k.a cadence or stanza) to that particular piece. Very basic, very structured. The emotions seem a bit caught up in the tightness of the music. Imagine an old english setting where Women wear corset-it tightens their diaphragm and does not allow thier emotions to breath easily- Not only physically, but usually the corset is worn to make them impress, for them to do something that is not natural for them. This music is played at this setting and I believe it fits very well-The music is structured and intended to impress the structure. It is not very emotional or extreme in any case. It is safely kept to a soft, pleasant, somewhat light structure so as not to take away attention from the party it is accompanying. So, just as the corset doesn't allow the women to breath; the rules and structure of the renaissance and baroque era's dont allow the music to breath as much as needed to be complete.

If one were to compare a Chopin Nocturne, Liszt piece, Rachmoninoff prelude, Prokiev waltz, or Stravinsky ballet, The first thing that one would notice is the difference of tone of these artists. They have provided more emotion because their peices are being performed, the music deserving attention, or (continuing with the party theme)  "wearing the tux." These peices move forward with more rhythmic ideas, more complexity, and more emotional musicality to them, because they are the centerpiece. Especially with the case of Debussey, they venture forth for more dissonance, and less structure. Those who study music and can break out of the rules of the classical era will find a bigger depth and beauty to this music, because they have more room to breath. 

Modernly, the music has completely expanded beyond, well... music itself. Rap, R & B, Metal, and some Rock have been developed completely out of emotion and only are worth the lyrics, or noise, they produce. To be fair, R & B still uses some musical chords and dissonance and other such musical aspects, but as a whole, they have put on their own lyrics and thus putting on their own musical corset. But continuing with the original classical idea, there are classical music today that has just the right blend of musicality and emotion to make absolutely beautiful peices. 

Thinking about different types of music though. . . I think the most emotional, beautiful, and rich music comes from the choral world. The reason why is because everything sung can be put into a myriad of emotions- all that the human body can produce. The most natural instrument we have can produce the most natural sound and show the most emotion. Instruments just cant produce the tones and beauty that only the human voice can produce. 

Sorry for the random thought, but I just had to point that out. So, the best blend of musicality and emotion turn into the most chilling and beautiful tune. When performed in the manner that addresses both of those issues, it makes my heart stop, and makes me so thankful that I can hear! Im not sure my take on music will change anytime soon-obviously as I continue to grow it might change- but alot goes into the music that we hear, and I just thought I would point that out. 

2008

It is amazing to think that 2008 is this year. When I was 8, I had a lesson on missionary work. This wasn't anything new to me, I have had these lessons a couple times before and sung many songs about it. This time, the teacher gave us a notecard telling us our name, and the year we would go on our mission. Ever since then, I have had the year 2008 bolded, starred, and underlined in my mind. On New Years day it hit me that this is the year that my childhood has been waiting for, and only recently has it hit me again.
Rather than waltzing through the many regrets I have had througout the child-hood (wanting better grades, playing more soccer, and learning how to treat people earlier) I would instead like to reflect on many of my own, rather thoughtful, musings of sorts.
In 5 months time, I could be headed to the MTC to complete the mission task that I have been looking forward to ever since I can remember. It has been asked of me if i were scared, excited, nervous, (basically every feeling). . . and the answer I have repeatedly given has been "Well, Im not sure." Am I excited? Absolutely. Am I nervous? . . . not going to lie, I am a bit. Its a bittersweet feeling to think that the biggest goal I have had in my childhood is now coming to pass. What am I going to work on after that? Marriage, and raising a family I suppose. . . That makes me feel so old though!
Either way it feels right to be continually preparing and striving to serve a mission. It is the next step, so I ought to take it so my life can move up. Not only is my mission happening this year, but I am also graduating from my home-away-from-home (kinda) Mountain View. I have spent all sorts of time there, so it will be wierd to think that I will not be quite as welcome there anymore once I leave. Seniors ought to move on when they are out of school. Sure, come back and visit, but mostly they ought to let it be, and let the new seniors do their job. Its a hard realization to come by, but I think it is better to know of it now, rather than when we try to visit the high school every day next year. That just seems wierd. Next years seniors dont want us there anyway, it just doesn't fit.
I hope that with all I have learned that I have been able to share it with some of the classmates I have had. I have always wanted to be a teacher, but I am not planning on studying it in college. Teaching moments seem to continually pop up in High School, which seem to count for teaching in some aspect. Either way, life is coming, and its quite amazing to see it from a perspective as someone about to get ran over the train, rather than someone standing back and seeing it off in the distance. Although I never heard THAT metaphor when I was 8, I still think it applies now. I ought to write a card with the date 2010 on it, because then I will be able to look forward to the second half of my life. Most say over-the-hill is at 40, but I think its about 21. At age 21 is when one decides what to do with their life, and they continue doing it for years until they retire. Either way, in the next 5-6 years my life will probably be settled, and I can continue helping my family grow and working through all that. Until then, Ill just have to keep writing significant years on post cards, just to keep it all into perspective.