Although I experienced many unsuccessful trials of playing the piano, I insisted in pursuing my eagerness to be involved in making music. At the age of eleven, I took my mom by the hand and dragged her to the Music Conservatory School. I met the principal, who tested my musical ear. My musical hearing ability was not so bad, therefore, he recommended that I play a “serious” instrument such as the violin or cello. Because I had a good friend in school who played the violin and I did not want to compete with her, I picked the cello.
Just like that.
English: Study of a three-quarter size cello. Français : Étude d’un violoncelle taille trois-quarts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Maybe not just like that.
A few weeks before this, a symphonic orchestra visited my school. The variety of instruments showcased, exposed me to the high multitude of symphonic texture. During the concert, I noticed an especially large instrument called the double bass. The double bass is larger than a cello and caught my attention so much that I decided that I wanted to play such an instrument. Through this childhood experience, as an adult, I realized that early exposure to a musical instrument can give widely to the amount of children who play musical instruments.
Back to my music test….
As a result of the excellent outcome of my meeting with the principal at the Music Conservatory School, my mother decided to use reverse psychology on me. She strongly declared to the principal that she was not interested in buying me a musical instrument. (This was completely opposite from how she behaved with my sister when she strictly enforced the importance of playing piano every day.)
It worked!
My mother never insisted that I practice and play the cello. Sometimes she would sit next to me while I played to show her encouragement. She recognized the difficulties that I had in devoting so much of myself to the cello so she did not push me over the edge. Until today, she humorously reminds me of the times when she lovingly asked me to play one more minute…five more minutes.
But don’t get me wrong, I wanted to play more than she wanted me to play for all of those minutes. I just didn’t have enough self-discipline to make the it come to fruition.
In the meantime, I became a very serious cello star in my school. I played cello and sang in the choir during every school ceremony. Finally, I felt that it was worth it to come to school because I was highly appreciated for my musical abilities and status. I was considered special by my peers and teachers.
Dealing with music gave me deep intellectual, emotional and psychological skills. The advanced standards for achievement, self-discipline and artistic responsibility that I implemented help me in all aspects of my life. These tools are universal and do not have to be necessarily connected to music. They can improve your creative abilities and day-to-day life.
Have you met something in your childhood which influenced your career?
Did you play an instrument as a child? Did it influence your life?
What was the prominent gift that music gave you?
Yours,
Maya
Related articles
My music started at age 12 to help the local piano teacher financially. It grew to a degree in organ performance and 30+ years occasional service to religious institutions until an accident ended the performance factor all together. No one else in my family was musically inclined.
The primary effect for me was the ability to retreat into my music when life became overwhelming. I can still listen and be calmed. Practicing was my favorite part.
Jimmy Thompson
My entire family is musical including both paternal and maternal grandmothers, and grandfather who was a composer and minister. Growing up in a musical environment as well as being exposed to all sorts of culture, because of my paternal grandmother’s travels to all but one continent (Anartica!), it was natural that we (I have two younger sisters) would also do music. But I was the one that took to instruments seriously; both my sisters have absolutely beautiful voices and can harmonize flawlessly.
Having started with piano lessons with my mom, I added violin when I turned 10. Many orchestral opportunites, competitions, scholarships, and music school would dominate my life. I loved every minute of it – and still do!
Today, I own a private music studio, teach lots of young children, and use my gift at church with the worship team, as well as teaching children’s choir. I would say that having been given the opportunity to experience music as child opened me up such that I am now giving back to children and training their parents to realize the importance of music in their child’s life. And my 13-year-son is right there with me, composing, playing guitar, drums, piano and a little violin, too!