SUPERCALIFRADGILISTICE SPIALIDOCIOUS! (All About Music)

Member Name: hugnluvable

Product:	All About Music
Date:	21/08/01 (159 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I could go on forever! 8-)

Disadvantages: I cant add any more stars!

Sorry about that outburst! Its just – no word can explain music, how anybody feels about it, why people react the way they do to sounds and tunes that they love? It’s just <DEEP BREATH> nope – I won’t say it again! The reason I’ve used this song title is not only because it was one of my favourites when I was a child but it is so relevant to the subject it is uncanny!

You’ve probably read this somewhere in the back streets and alleyways of Dooyoo land that I’m currently studying for a degree in music. I don’t actually remember the first time I came in contact with music – It’s been there for me all my life. But I do remember the problems I had when I was a little girl and I sung in front of hundreds and was bullied for it at school (but that’s a completely different story!) And yep! Like most kids I played the recorder but the teacher never let me play in the “top group” because I couldn’t read music properly. And I wasn’t allowed to play the violin because we had to take a listening test that I didn’t do too well in at school (due to minor hearing problems that I wasn’t really aware of at that age – that’s another story as well!)

But I also remember the first time I had the opportunity to learn something that was different from the other kids at school – to put my mind off of singing and the petty childish taunts (you know things like “LA LA LAAAAAAAH! Being screamed in my ear constantly etc!) I started to learn to play the keyboard at Yamaha Music School in Milton Keynes. I didn’t realise what a land marking day that was when my parents signed me up to start Keyboard lessons at a demonstration in our local shopping centre – hey I was only 5 years old at the time! All through this time I was learning to play the keyboard I couldn’t read music – until I was about 10 years old. That was when I sta
rted to play the clarinet and my teacher (SUPER-KING-KONG-MEGA-MEYA-BEEEYATCH!) really put me down and basically treated me as if I was a load of rubbish. She was from the Music Centre and because I couldn’t read music (and yet played the keyboard up to Grade 3!) she grew to dislike me as my playing developed. She taught me the wrong way to blow into the clarinet (and I only found that out a couple of days before my Grade 6 exam!). Plus she kept me on the same piece of music (Gavotte in the Learn as You Playbook!) for weeks on end so I couldn’t catch up with the other girls being taught at the same time with me! Soon enough I started to dislike playing the clarinet because of my teacher but my parents encouraged me to keep on – and so I did. I was a lot happier when I went to secondary school and met Mr James – he was like the best ever clarinet teacher anyone could have, oh! And Mrs Ashcroft – she was the BESTEST EVER piano teacher in the world! And so here I am studying for a music degree! I passed my Grade 8 Keyboard at 14/15 and passed my Grade 6 Piano at 16. I never took any more exams after that (although Hull wanted Grade 8 on my 1st instrument – oops!). I have come to the conclusion that I play music for the sheer enjoyment, and people can judge me for what they hear – not some bits of paper that say how well I played on a particular day. But I respect anyone who has done, I study with people who are taking a major in performance and no matter how good they are they do NOTHING BUT practise – although I practise I could never be THAT disciplined!

Anyway, enough of my life history! – So why and how DOES music play such an important part in our everyday lives?

<Hugnluvable attempts to explain>….
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

M is for Muse

Well, music inspires us doesn’t it! And although some of us have the musical ability of a rattlesnake (I
quote Spacelamb!) it influences us, comforts us, entertains us and motivates us! We can see that in the music section with opinions such as “My Top Ten List”, “Artists” and well um, this one!

So what has music inspired me to do? Well – study music for a start. But its not just music that inspires us – other things and people contribute towards it as well.

Firstly – my parents! There was one time when I was going to give up on music –not ever play again, all because of one incident. One day my dad brought my keyboard downstairs whilst parent’s friends were over and he made me play (I was always a reluctant performer!) Well, I hadn’t practised at all for months because of a replacement teacher (I think her name was “Wassi Kimm” or something!) who really frustrated me – and when I got frustrated back then I usually gave up (I’ve learnt now!) So… you can imagine how I played “Eternal Flame” that evening – I was awful! I couldn’t play it! This was not only embarrassing for me – but for my parents as well, I wanted to give up playing the keyboard – I hated it! My parents had words with me – saying that if I wanted to give up then I could, but not because of some teacher. So that was it – it was up to me – did I want to quit? Hell no! So over the next year I practised like crazy – my original teacher came back and I was a lot happier with things – the next year I was working towards my Grade 7. I played in front of these friends then (feeling a bit more confident in myself) and they were amazed by the difference. My Mum and Dad have been there for me every step of the way and that has really encouraged me to do things that I’d never have dreamed of that one night when I just wanted to give up! The very important and special thing that they did was to not push me into anything – apart from
make me play in front of my Grandma and Grandad etc. This was soooooooo important or else I would not have enjoyed it as much as I did – and I would have found it a chore any other way!

Other people in the world can also inspire us – especially music teachers. I’m glad to say that I had some FANTASTIC teachers at secondary school – each of them reinforcing to me what I wanted to do with my future. Take my old music teacher Mr Hills for example. He was head of our school music department and has helped me, encouraged me and inspired me no end. But he taught me that music doesn’t only inspire people – it teaches people things that nothing else can teach – like social skills and responsibility, respect and discipline.

And there are other styles and inspirations that are awaiting our discovery. For example - Ethnomusicology and World Music (like Latin American, African, Indian music) is starting to become more recognised as the world is becoming more of a “Global Community” and people have the urge to explore new and different cultures and concepts.

U is for Uplifting

Music either lifts you up or brings you down. But most importantly – it can change your mood – And maybe even your own perception on the world! Now people get some feeling of emotion in many different ways through music – it’s so emotive. It’s what I like to call the “Tingle Factor.” Every now and again you get a tingle down your spine or butterflies when you hear a bit of music – it might be because of memories, or emotions at that particular time or simply because you love it! I love every style of music possible because of this factor!

Its like when you go out and hear music that you absolutely adore – not only because of the atmosphere – but how it makes you feel. There are so many styles, atmospheres, tunes and artists to choose from that ca
n completely change the way we feel.

Being on a dance-floor in a club filled with hundreds of like-minded people is one of the most exhilarating feelings ever. But its not just being there with those people – it’s the music that takes you higher and higher. Think trance music – think the Euphoric melody that takes you away to another place and everyone else there understands exactly how you feel when that certain tune is pulsating the beloved stereo system. Think funky house music – where everyone is so up for it that the only two bar staff are literally dancing on the tables rather than serve drinks when the track of the decade comes on (and the music just distracts everyone from that minor point!). And when the DJ decides to pause for a second everyone is still dancing and jumping about just waiting for the next funky beat to devour!

Thequy has written an amazing opinion on clubbing and has appropriately called it –“It means that much to me”. This reflects how much so many people feel about dance music and why it does that – and I cant agree more with him!

The likes of John Williams and James Horner have the power and ability to change the way people feel. Without music in the background of a film people’s perceptions of it can differ greatly – or have no perceptions of it at all! Think Schindler’s list with the girl in the red dress – it wouldn’t have been effective if anything else was in the background would it? And just think if the “Sugar Plum Fairy” came on when Darth Vader appeared on your screen? Not the same is it now?

Sitting watching a musical can be one of the most exhilarating feelings you can have – if you enjoyed the musical of course! Take Les Miserables for example – this is one of my all time favourite musicals and if you’ve seen it you’ll know why! Its so easy to relate to some of the characters a
nd there isn’t a dry eye in the house when “Eponine” sings her heart out about the man of her dreams not feeling the same way as her!

All places and situations can trigger off memories that just give you a tingle down your spine whenever that tune comes back on again. “Love-shack” is one of those tunes that do it for my friends and I – whenever it comes on in the pub it brings back so memories of days gone by and keeps a big smile on our faces for AGES! (Story yet to come in another op!)

Couples have “their song” as well. We went to a wedding at the weekend and the lovely couple danced their first dance to a Luther Vandross song – “Here and There (I think!) that some of us had never heard of - but for them it was special to them, it was THEIR song and it will always be known to them as that for years to come. However – when relationships don’t work out these songs can bring back memories we’d rather forget. For me and my ex-boyfriend it was “Angels” (yes – cheesy I know – but so appropriate) However – when that song comes up now it always reminds me of our relationship that had to end and feelings and emotions come rushing back!

“Pop” concerts, “Rock Concerts”, “Tribute Concerts”, “Debut Gigs” are all events and atmospheres that can create so many emotions and feelings. Now, I’ve been to a few “Pop” concerts and a few of my mate’s gigs and every one of them has created a completely different impact! The latest one I’ve been to was to see Madonna at Earls Court – me and my friend were in tears when she first came on the stage – we’ve loved her since we were little and had always wanted to see her! I’m off to see Steps next week – wonder how that’ll make me feel? (NO ABUSE PLEEEEAAAASE 8-))

But I can’t descr
ibe the feeling that you get when you finish a solo in front of hundreds and get ONE MASSIVE APPLAUSE! Its like a thousand adrenalin rushes all at one time – I always end up shaking more after playing rather than before it! Think how artists like Madonna and Robbie Williams feel doing it for a living –now that would be amazing! I explained ages ago that I used to sing when I was younger – but I stopped at 7 or 8 because the bullying got too much! Well, I never carried on with it, never had a singing lesson, never sung in front of anyone or anything until our school madrigal teacher approached me and asked me to do a solo at the Christmas Concert. It was an acappella part to an arrangement of “Away in a Manger” – no accompaniment, noone else singing with me – just MY VOICE echoing around the school sports hall! I was so nervous that night – it was the first time in 10 years that my voice had been heard alone. But after it I saw the looks on the audience’s faces – my Mum’s (she was in tears!), my Dad’s (proud – “that’s my daughter” look on his face!) and my music teacher Mr Hills (just stunned and in awe!) – who didn’t realise I could sing like that! I just felt like something had rushed out of myself all in one sheer second, and I was shaking soooooooo much afterwards!

And words can’t describe the way I felt when my school concert band played my own composition for the first time. Someone said to me I smiled like a little 3 year old – I was so pleased – and yet really scared of the audience’s opinion of it. But my teacher decided to tell them that it was mine straight afterwards and he made me stand up – there was a standing ovation and I went all red! But that feeling was amazing – beyond words – I was smiling for weeks!

S is for Social

But most importantly music is a social thing. It’
;s a gift that you can decide to share or keep in your bedroom. And music teaches us social skills – how to be tactful (when someone’s playing is so awful but you can’t tell them that – its too harsh isn’t it?), how to take control (conducting etc) and just basically how to get along with others you’d never dream of getting along with! Belonging to a band or a musical group is one of the best experiences you can have the opportunity to have! You get to meet more like-minded people and have the chance to make some fantastic friends.

I have belonged to loads of choirs, orchestras, concert bands and other ensembles but nothing compares to my old school concert band! And whys that do you ask? Well, we all know each other so well for a start. We’ve been on tour to Belgium and Austria and we seem more like a family than a band!

If you haven’t yet read Chrissypop’s write-up on music “Music to My Ears” (Its at the top with a tiara so not too hard to find!) then read it! It shows you how interactive that music and how it helps children develop new skills – like how to share and be nice to each other (which a few grown ups we come across cant even do!)

I is for Independence and Individuality

Well, as I said a moment ago – I belong to loads of different bands, orchestras and choirs. And although everyone works together as a team, as a whole unit – every musician in that group is first and foremost an individual – and this shines through in their music. Every note that is played, touched, blown – or maybe not played, touched or blown distinguishes that player as an individual person. Each person plays a different role in the ensemble and you soon learn that that role, from the triangle player in the corner to the virtuoso clarinettist standing at the front, that your part is VERY IMPORTANT! And as you meet new and different people your own views
and social perceptions develop! Take for example my old A-level music class – there were six of us. And although we played together and learnt together as the “A Level Group” everyone was a completely different individual (I was like chalk and cheese with one girl in our group at one stage!). That’s probably why we promise to keep in contact.

C is for Creativity

Creativity isn’t just writing music- its playing it, its listening and imagining to it! I enjoy composing (like the many other millions out there!) and that’s one of the most creative things a person can do. I started to compose a load of dance tunes on my keyboard and computer (and still do when I find the time!) but I never showed anybody these – apart from my mum! I’m too embarrassed to! And even when I'm at university I really feel on edge whenever people hear the beginnings of my compositions (even more so when they're done!) I think its because composing is such a personal thing - it comes from yourself - from your heart and it displays to others your ideas, feelings and emotions towards the music. So if anyone says anything nasty towards it then it can really hurt the composer (so be tactful next time you hear a new composition and hate it!)

But music is there to be created and performed. If it weren’t then well… we wouldn’t have any would we?

So that’s it! (At last I hear you all mutter under your voices.) I love music! It’s my life! Its SUPERCALIFRADGILISTICESPIALIDOCIOUS! And if any of you have children out there – give them the opportunity to learn it! Even if it might be a “faze” or they get bored with it – at least they have had the chance. But PLEASE, don’t force them into it – music is to be enjoyed not treated like a chore! Music is one of the best gifts my parents could have ever given me (as well as life!) and I love them as much as
this subject! I don’t know what I want to do in the future when I’ve finished my degree but I know that I’d have to work with music – I’d be lost without it!

So when the cat has caught your tongue there’s no need for dismay – just summon up this word and then you’ve got a lot to say. But better use it carefully or it could change your life… Ahem – any examples? Answers on a postcard please 8-)

<br>Thank you and Goodnight
HuGz
xxx

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