My Musical Journey: From Passion to Progress

Inspiration

Music has always been a significant part of my life, and my love for it traces back to both of my parents. On Sunday mornings, our house would come alive with music as my mother cleaned. She’d play a mix of RnB, gospel, and blues, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Meanwhile, my father, who was a DJ, had an eclectic taste and enjoyed various genres of music. Influenced and inspired by artists like Alicia Keys and Prince, I knew from an early age that I wanted to play an instrument.

Consequently, I began my musical journey at the age of five with the piano. I can still vividly remember the joy I felt during my first performances and the frustration that accompanied practicing when progress seemed out of reach. Eventually, despite my passion for it, I stopped playing around the age of 11.

Middle School Exploration

During my middle school years, I decided to venture into the world of band class and took up the flute. I’m not entirely sure what drew me to this particular instrument, as there were several others I could have chosen. Nonetheless, I remember the initial challenge of not being able to produce a sound when I blew into the flute. It took several months of persistence and practice to finally create a note. Concurrently, I began writing my own songs during this period. Despite the initial difficulties with the flute, I continued playing it through high school, where I even earned a spot as second chair flute. I also started teaching myself to play the guitar and took a semester of chorus. As a culmination of my musical experiences, I composed my own musical piece featuring the flute and piano for my senior project.

Continuing the Musical Journey

Since then, I’ve maintained my passion for music by continuing to write songs, play, the guitar, and create beats. However, I have a considerable hiatus from actively playing and creating music, which I hope to change soon. One of my goals is to produce an EP, but I recognize that to achieve this, I must carve out dedicated time to practice and create. As I grew older, balancing work and school made it increasingly challenging to find time for my musical pursuits. Nevertheless, I am determined to prioritize it and realize my ambitions.

Overcoming Self-Comparisons

Throughout my years as a musician, I struggled with comparing myself to others, particularly because I am a traditionally trained musician. Envy often crept in when I saw musicians who could play by ear or effortlessly improvise. But I’ve come to realize that each musician’s journey is unique, and comparing myself to others only hinders my growth. Instead, I aim to focus on my progress and enjoy the creative process. As I continue to develop my skills as a musician and songwriter, I look forward to embracing the joy and fulfillment that music brings to my life.