You Creating Music or Music Creating You?

What makes music music? Is it simply the notes being played or sung? Or is there a deeper meaning? Should there be a story behind the notes and the words?

I often consider these questions when listening to any piece of music or song for the first time. For genres such as country music, the story seems to be the highlight of any song. Singers want to sing about every aspect of their life from their dog and children to their past, and often, through the journey of writing music, musicians learn more about themselves. However, looking at music without words such as most classical pieces, there is often a not so easily discernible story. It is there, but we have to take apart the piece more carefully.

Some of the most complex classical music of the 20th Century arose from the USSR and the artistic oppression under the rule of Stalin. Composers, such as Shostakovich, transformed this oppression into a greater release of artistic creativity, often externally conforming to the regime while internally experimenting and expressing new ideas not accepted under the Stalin regime. They told their stories despite the oppression and often told them quite well.

Music is complex in many ways. Music can often tell two or more stories all at once which elucidates the power that such expression has especially when living in an oppressive world. It may be more simple to listen to a piece of music and not find a story, but often, if you listen deeply, there are stories which are meant sometimes to express a simple thought while at other times are shouting for a revolution.

~Lisa

The Magic of Music

I recently read in the Connection Newspaper about Guitars not Guns, a nonprofit whose mission has swept the nation. Skip Chaples, a local Northern Virginian, began a chapter, here, in Northern Virginia in 2006 after a boy in his boy scout troop was shot and killed. This nonprofit has its roots in California, but its worth spans the nation.

Initially begun to provide an outlet for children who come from poor backgrounds, Guitars not Guns has continued to offer guitar lessons to children in communities throughout the nation. There is not an exact number of children which the group has saved from violent behavior and gang involvement, but it has helped numerous families, and helping even just one child from a life of violence is a huge success.

Guitars not Guns further proves the healing power of music. I wrote last month about the health benefits from playing and listening to music, such as reducing a person's blood pressure. This nonprofit and NOVA Music recognizes the importance of music in every person's life. NOVA Music offers music lessons at our shop, teaching guitar, ukulele, violin, and much more. Introduce yourself or your child to the magic of music and witness the transformation!

~Lisa