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We’ve always been taught to appreciate the small things in life, but how exactly do we do that? How do we look for the things that would typically go unnoticed? Well, I don’t know about life, but for music, the answer is music theory.
I grew up music lesson hopping. I took violin lessons when I was seven, drum lessons when I was twelve, and piano lessons when I was fourteen. I never stuck to any of them. More often than not, you needed patience to learn an instrument; patience that I did not have. Three years since my last formal music lesson, I can readily admit that I can not play any of those three instruments at any capacity.
However, one thing did stick with me; basic music theory. Ask me any basic music theory question, and I will probably be able to answer it. I can tell you the difference between a whole note and a quarter note with three quarter rests. I can tell you about thirds and fifths and how to make chords sound sad. I can probably transpose a song for you given enough time. It’s almost a shame that I have no musical instrument that I can apply it with.
There are so many facets of information from which you can learn; books and Youtube videos and the like, but the most valuable would have to be discussion. Talk about music. Reading books about music theory is fine and dandy, but until you realize what the books are trying to say, you will understand nothing. This is where discussion comes up. Talk about songs that made your head bob or whole albums with songs that follow a theme, and all the information you stocked up on about music theory will become clear. Talk. About. Music. In-depth.
Here’s my take. If you want music to be part of your life, learn music theory. You remember that moment when you realized you could actively listen to one instrument in a band at a time? That moment when you noticed that “Hey, the two guitars are playing completely different things!” Well, a steady and constant study will provide those opportunities again and again. You can start with “Oh. So the drummer hits the bass drum twice before every snare.” to “Oh wow. That note was not part of the scale, but it totally worked.” to “Oh. So that’s why they come up with so many covers of saxophones doing the sung melodies in these jazz songs.” Essentially, you’re breaking down music into smaller parts so you can understand them more.
This is where I discovered the high road for music discussion; “Because I like it.” should never be used as a reason for liking a song. You will be ridiculed and called uninformed. Honestly, I’ve realized that it’s hard to call a person stupid for liking Justin Bieber if he can explain why. And I don’t mean all that “Oh he worked so hard, and he loves his fans.” bullshit. Why do you like his music? Tell me why “Baby” is enjoyable, and I will be willing to listen to you. Tell me about the notes he uses, or the repetitive beats, or his vocal progressions.
I’ve discovered that in the music community, it doesn’t matter what you like, it only matters why. So if you find a hater who doesn’t like your music, ask him why he like his music, and why he doesn’t like yours. If he can’t back his shit up, then you’re probably better than him.
So learn music theory, kids! It leads to winding paths of enjoyable knowledge that make music more enjoyable, and it helps you defend your tastes no matter what you like.
red: when and how did you first realize you loved writing?
orange: who is your greatest literary inspiration, and why?
yellow: what is your favorite style?
green: whose style do you imitate the most?
blue: what is your favorite genre/subject on which to write?
indigo: what do you think is the greatest flaw in your writing?
violet: what is your favorite thing about your writing?
pink: what attracts you to writing in general? why do you love it?
silver: top three sources of inspiration
black: your dreams! be published, be a critical success? what?
lemon: do you write fanfiction? if so, what genre? otp?
lime: what are some of the most prevalent themes in your work?
brown: three favorite novels
rainbow: three favorite authors
white: weirdest thing you’ve ever written BE HONEST.
(Source: worldaccordingwrites)
Dr. J as fuck.
Injured Point Guard Jeremy Lin #17 Of The New York Knicks Looks - Yahoo! Sports
And me. Definitely me.
AND ME.
You have my bow.
AND MY HAMMER.
The hammer is my penis.
(via fuckyeahmeninsuits)
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Forest was trying to comfort his girlfriend. He held her tight while she cried. She blubbered through the tears her fears about what happens after graduation. How would she find a job? Would it pay well enough? He just held her despite what was growing in his chest. He held her until she fell asleep.
When she was finally asleep, Forest got up, and drew himself a bath. He sat in an empty tub while the warm water started to crawl up his legs. This gave him time to think about his own life. Outside was Miss Dean’s Lister, Miss graduates-in-a-year, and she was worried. Forest was a college drop out, trying to pursue a career in the culinary area. He hadn’t even started school yet, and she was crying.
The water was high enough to submerge his whole body, and by that time he had stopped thinking about the past, and started thinking about the future. College drop out, nineteen years old, not handsome enough for show business, and too scared of needles to sell any organs. And she was crying. He was puzzled as to why he wasn’t crying.
Forest slid down so the water could cover his ears. There, he was nowhere. He was alone. There, he could think.
He got up, and dried off.
At the end of the first day of his 19th year on earth, Forest Candelaria already knew that on his deathbed, he would be regretting all the things he never did.
