Interview with my dad
After interviewing Moon Young and Chen I realized how music can be a way to harmonize everyone and a way to convey messages to others. Music can be defined differently to different individuals yet helps everyone in different ways. After realizing this, I thought no more interviews were really needed. However, I soon realized that I needed to do one more interview after having a question about my music very recently. After our band recently performed in front of audiences for the Emory Arts and Showcase, I personally started to ask myself whether I was really good at music. Am I good enough in music to perform in front of others? Is it enough to just enjoy music or have to be talented at music to be a good musician? I was confused. Therefore, I decided to ask these questions to my dad who has been my musical mentor for a long time. He has seen my progress in terms of music and always encouraged me. Because my dad currently lives in Seattle, I used Skype to interview him. "Hi dad how is everything going on? Is everything okay there?" I asked my dad as he appeared on my screen. "Hey Jay!Yup everything is going well! I am so excited to have you back in 3 weeks!" "Yup I am excited to haha. I can't believe my freshman year is almost over dad. Alright dad I am going to ask you questions related to music. Are you ready?" "Go ahead son," my dad replied. " What does music mean to you dad?" "Music is a friend who is always there for me to be consoled and a way to express my emotions. Although friends might betray you sometimes, music never leaves you. It always stays with you whenever you need it. This is why I am still in love with music. Whenever I feel distressed because of busy work and difficult life, it soothes and relieves me," he replied. "Right you actually told me about this many times dad. A way to express emotions and a permanent friend in one's life. I always remember this definition whenever I forget about what music means to me. Dad actually I have a big question that has been bothering me recently." |
"What is the question?" dad asked me.
"I sometimes feel like I am not musically talented enough to do music. Like I feel I am not actually good enough to perform in front of others. I don't know whether I am good enough for music to send my message to others. My insufficient musical ability might deter what I am really trying to express to others." My dad stared at me with sympathetic eyes. His eyes seemed like as if he had this same question before. He opened his mouth: "There is no such a rule that says one has to be talented to do music. Honestly I think you are pretty talented. You do have some potential son. However, an important point is this. Don't think about whether you are really good at music or not. Don't be pressured that you have to do well in music. You yourself enjoying music and doing your best to express your emotion are the most important parts. Do your best to do these twos," he replied. I stopped talking for a moment. My dad's saying "enjoying" really touched my heart. No one starts music, because he or she is good at it. Everyone starts music because he or she enjoys it. This is the most important and fundamental mindset of musicians. This enjoying part is the purpose of music. " Wow dad you really touched my heart. I forgot about why I started to use music as my friend and a way to express myself. As you said before, it was because I enjoy music. Since enjoying is the most fundamental purpose of music, I think I don't have to really worry about whether I am talented or not!" I spoke. "Right Jay. Don't be distressed and confused because of thinking that you have to be good at music. There is a saying that a person who enjoys can do well in anything. As you continue to enjoy your music, you will keep getting better! Also this fundamental purpose of music, enjoying, allows everyone define music positively. Despite people often have different definitions of music, every definition is positive, because they enjoy music. Because people enjoy music, music always helps them in some ways." Everything was concluded in this last response. Enjoying allows us to define music positively and to always be helped by music in some ways. Therefore it is important to always enjoy music! I thanked my dad for his great advice and promised him to show a video of our performance when I go back to Seattle in summer. |