Why do I love playing a musical instrument?

21Feb2008 Filed under: Bass talk, Life talk Author: Kris

Music is addictive.

I live it and breathe it on a daily basis. I feel passionately about it, extreme. To me it provokes a sense of wonder and magic. When you find that perfect note, or when something just suddenly works with your musical friends. It takes a lot to beat those perfect, musical moments where you can’t say a word to each other, because there are no words that can explain it.

I’m thirty-one, and just made the transition from my twenties safely (ish). But that transitional period between childhood and teens is awkward for a lot of young people.

All our young lives we are brought up to believe in magic. To believe in something else. Father Christmas, the Sandman, the tooth fairy. And as we grow older, we’re told that Mr Disney and pals have probably been lying to us all along, and that their actually isn’t much magic or fantasy in this world…

…and then you hit your late teens and twenties, and the world becomes a little more cold and dark. This is where people need to escape the reality that life isn’t magical, really. So they drink. They do drugs. Just to alter their mindsets, and to take the edge off the harsh life that we live on a daily basis. The 9-5 for the rest of your life. The mortgage. The loans. The children.

Then comes thirty-odd, and it doesn’t get much better. This is where I am, and I have music. That’s my escape. That’s my magic and my sense of wonder that stops me from letting go, and becoming a soulless drone, that’s only Soma is watching soaps and playing computer games every evening.

There IS still magic and wonder in this world, and we, as musicians are lucky enough to be the creators of some of that magic.

That’s why I love playing a musical instrument. How about you?

Tags: Bass talk

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5 Responses to “Why do I love playing a musical instrument?”

Bryan Orwell
February 21st, 2008 at 4:30 pm

Why do I love playing a musical instrument?

For about the same reasons as you, Kris.

ESCAPE being the main one.

Then the PLEASURE to be found in creating something with other musicians. The inspiration given and received in good muso company, and in public performance. LAUGHTER usually features here.

The NECESSITY to TEACH YOUR EARS TO LISTEN AND HEAR. To decipher. To decode. TO LEARN NOT TO RELY ON DOTS. Going dot-free is what I do, and what I like others to have the ability to do, too. I only look at dots when it’s essential.

Also the JOY AND PAIN to be had from your instrument. In my case, the piano keyboard.

Joy and Pain. Now there’s a good song.

In short, I put music on a par with all the other essential pleasures to be had during the few years we’ve got in this life.
Dmanlamius
February 21st, 2008 at 4:43 pm

Brilliant reply, Bryan!

Yes, the laughter. Sometimes that’s the only thing you can do!

Ever thought about starting your own blog, Bryan?
Jim Goes Morally Ape.
February 21st, 2008 at 5:12 pm

Is it too much to say purely because I love it?

I don’t aspire to some rock star or cult level of success. But when I play something like Epics, I remember that feeling of writing my first song. When I play Understanding Annie I remember feeling like i was doing something relevant. When I wrote Sunny Whitsun Days and The Most Romantic Songs and knowing, just knowing that I’d improved that important little bit, enough for it to show.

When I hear a great muso, someone I admire and respect, say they like what I do, I still find it hard to believe, but I love it. Hearing what other people can do to my song to make them more potent is beautiful too.

I can completely live with tonight;

Playing a really good set.
Having a good 10 people coming up to me and saying they loved my songs, and would happily exchange money, or a drink, or a CD for some of my stuff.

Almost nothing will ever feel that good to me. Maybe I’ll feel different when I’m a dad, but that is the only competition I’ll ever see for that buzz.
Steve Brand
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 am

I’m very much in the same vein as Bryan… I find music and playing guitar to be a fantastic escape or even ‘therapy’ if you will. Always have. A few minutes with one of my guitars in my hand and the woes of a bad day are rinsed away. Just in the same way that holding the hand of a loved one would.

Sure, much of what we’ve had to learn over the years to become a “musician” is hard work but the rewards are worth all of that slog and then some!

I can sight read…but I mostly choose not to. I much prefer flying by the seat of pants when tracking in a session or live gig….the spontaneity…the ‘risk’…. I feel that the greatest thrill comes when you experience that ‘telepathy’ with your fellow band-mates that creates a synchronized, cohesive moment from nothing more than a combination of inspiration and musical intuition.

I will never tire of music as it’s as essential to me as breathing or speech or the warmth of a hug from my wife & kids.

Music has taken me half way around the globe, it’s given me a career and a damn good living, it’s blessed me with friendships that are honest & true but, most importantly, it’s given me hope and joy and satisfaction that no regular 9-5 job could ever do. Music has made me laugh…and it’s made me cry….for all the right reasons!

I think that pretty much covers it…..and that’s why I love to play!
Bryan Orwell
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:13 am

Kris, James, Steve.

I wanted to add that if you think you have a modicum of talent, you should keep it up. If your playing is cringeworthy, they maybe you should keep it in your headphones.

If you are a moderately good player, you should not be put off when you meet players who are more capable than you. You should allow yourself to be knocked off your feet by other players. Inspiration is important. You learn when you are humbled.

One last thing concerning your love for a musical instrument is that I think you should push yourself to improve all the time. Try different genres. Mix with new musos. Don’t be type-cast.

Find a group where the other players are of your standard or better. You will improve immensely that way.

Assess the politics in your group. Make reasonable suggestions as an equal, but avoid rocking the boat if all is on course. (You are not at work).

Keep your nose and brain focussed on being creative. And remember to laugh yourself senseless with your mates.

Then you know you have put your professional obligations (in my case) aside for a while. You already have the support of your loved ones.

You have escaped. And you have dates down the line for months, years, ahead when you know you will be escaping regularly again.

Maybe I’ll start that blog, Kris.