Music

“No, I’m not a classically trained pianist, but I know a pretty note when I hear one.”
— Jennifer J. Chung

I wanted to be a pianist and composer. I took music lessons in high school, learning music theory, piano and guitar. I previously sang in two choirs for a few years. My teacher told me I could never reach that goal. “Maybe with a little work,” he said, “You could be an academic. But not a performer. Never a performer.”

It made me feel terrible. If I couldn’t reach that goal, what were these lessons good for? I became discouraged, and I decided to pursue new goals. I loved to write, so I pursued this goal instead. I don’t regret it, but I wonder sometimes whether I made the right choice. Could I have been a classical musician?

Music is a great part of my life, but I didn’t choose to pursue it further. Whether you’ve taken lessons or just listen to CDs, you can be appreciate music. Sometimes, its sheer beauty makes it even more wonderful. You don’t have to know the structure, key or chords used in a piece to be moved by a song. Music is universal and inclusive to all; it’s a language that transcends international borders. One should not need a degree or a lifetime of training to express oneself through music.

So I’ll play on, and hope that someone thinks the notes produced are pretty too.