Ever since I was small, even before I was born, my mom always exposed me to music, whether it be classical, country, religious, or other genres. Music surrounded me, and music became part of me. It was - and still is - something that I could express my thoughts and emotions with when words failed me. I've always enjoyed singing, something about using a physical part of yourself to express your feelings in music really made me love it, but it was when I "discovered" the piano and how to play it that I genuinely began to express myself wholeheartedly.
As the years went by, and as I became more proficient at this amazing instrument, I began to delve into more complicated, but also more emotional music. The music I played began to vary more, from classical sonatas to piano renditions of songs, and I started to connect more with the songs that I was playing. My thoughts of "How many more times do I have to play this?" or "How long until I can stop practicing?" transformed into "How could I communicate this across better?" and "What did the composer intend for this piece to be played as?" For me, reading a sheet of music could be compared to a jigsaw puzzle; the pieces will eventually come together to form a bigger picture.
When I am able to focus on a piece of music that I love and enjoy playing, I delve into what the music is trying to convey and try to emulate it to the audience. As I begin the playing, I close my eyes and just "feel" the music, as if I am only a muse for the instrument. I picture a meadow, with the sun shining behind me and a gentle breeze blowing on my hair, a winter forest, filled with snow and frost, or an ocean at dusk, with the rocking waves and looming clouds. I could go anywhere within music.
