Musically Speaking

I’ve always had music to be listening to, whether it was in my movies and tv shows, and my parents CDs when I was little. As I grew up I started buying CDs my friends recommended and a portable CD player to go with it. Come middle school I was just discovering pop music at school dances. Then in college, I started listening to a far more diverse set of tunes such as rock, alternative, and soundtracks, plus big band entered my listening world. So what does this music mean to me? Listen in quick.

Growing up kids tunes and contemporary Christian music are at the forefront of my memory with a notable addition of Christmas music every year. Christian music was a good foundation for my life experiences. 

5th grade I started playing clarinet in band. Before this I had only learned recorder, and basic piano, but with band I had chosen my instrument and I was meeting the kids at the local school through the local enrollement band program since I was still homeschooled. Music became something I made, read: enjoyed making.

Middle school was a bit of a music culture shock. They weren’t playing Michael W. Smith,  Casting Crowns, and Barlowgirl at school dances, though it was fun. But I didn’t hardly know what I was listening to.  Music became part of a fun social activity that gave me a lot of energy

In highschool I started playing top 40 tunes in the car when I got to drive, and on my clock radio at home. I also tried dance team and that ignited a passion for dancing, even though I was only on the non competitive team for one season. I also went to my first swing dance and that left me wanting to learn more but it took me a while to figure that out. In addition,  few close friends told me about the latest boy bands and we found ourselves watching a number of music videos when we hung out. Now its a fun memory and when I go back to those songs they remind me of specific friend ships and more fun school dances. Music became something that helped me connect with my friends even more, and something fun to enjoy in the car, that wasn’t decided on by my parents.

In college I tried my hand at swing dancing at school sponsored clubs, and I was hooked I had a space to spend energy, meet other students, and find a new genre of tunes. I progressed, every week, and I won’t stop dancing anytime soon. I even My music taste became something truly unique and inspiring.

Also in college friends introduced me to not-as-popular genres. I started listening to a more diverse set of oldies, and reached further beyond the top tracks. This is where things have gotten tricky, but all the better because I find unique songs, and love a diverse set of tracks.

Now I try to find good music, but it’s hard when I can’t spend time shuffling past a majority of the explicit tracks that music services think I’ll like because I’m a young adult in their early 20s. But I really enjoy finding new tracks, while dipping into the rest of my collection and past discoveries. Music can help you process emotions, life experiences, or even just help me stay on beat so I can dance in time. So try listening to another genre, a unique band, a new era or give the non-explicit top 40 a try and you might surprise yourself and discover a toe-tapping tune.