Music AND Classical- WHAT?!?

So the longer I've been in music school, the more I realize how difficult of a major it is. Most people come up to you after they've found out that you're a music major and they say,
"Wow, so you just sit around all day and play piano? That's it?"

"Yessir. That's it. Nothing to it."

But of course, I also get the opposite reaction too. But in general, most people disparage the work that goes into being a musician. Not necessary just piano- but any instrument.

For a good number of us musicians, we are going to school to study just as long as a medical student would studying to become a doctor. In fact, in order to pursue what my mind is currently set on, I will be required to earn a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree. That's just as many years as those med-school students! (aka I'll be OLD when I'm done)

But, I guess of all things that annoy me- one thing really sticks out like a sore thumb: The people that turn their noses up when they look at my ipod and see that over 50% of my music is classical- 6.1 days worth of it if you play it straight through.

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Music is draining. It's emotionally draining, physically difficult to facilitate, incomprehensibly complex, architecturally structured, and massively broad in repertoire.

Of course, if I was actually complaining, then I wouldn't call myself music major anymore. I play because I love it, not because of anything else.

It's just rather frustrating to see people so naïve about classical music. Talking to my friend Scott about music, he said something that really made sense, "classical music is the foundation for all other types of music! Where do you think all your jazz musicians came from, or your pop musicians? Well, most of the good ones were classically trained at first!!"

Now I realize there is some negative connotation with classical- in that it was heavily associated with the rich snobs and royalty of the past. (Often kings and queens would force composers to write music in "their honor," and in the past, only the rich could afford phonographs and classical records or attend concerts). But judging the music off the culture of society doesn't truly exemplify the essence of the music. Even though Mozart was forced to write for royalty, does that demean the artistry he incorporated into his music? The music still stands on its own.

I guess that's a big reason I don't like some of the mainstream music out there today. It's so heavily influenced by looks and culture. If you took it all away, and just took the music as is- there would be a LOT of stupid music out there. Yeah, it's catchy. Yeah, I'd probably dance to it. But do I think it's the most thought out, quality stuff out there? No. And don't get me on the "oh, but you're being subjective." THINK about it. The music without the "Lady Gaga" clothing culture and sexualized glam. No music vids and no mass-mediation. Is it quite the same without? Can it stand without all the hype?

The answer: probably not.

So... YES I DO listen to classical music. YES it dominates my ipod. And YES, I think it is cool.

Is that a problem?



-KKZ

America: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, and the Victim of Ethnic Destruction

I love America. Don't get me wrong- I wouldn't have it any other way. Compared to somewhere like, say, China, it's a ton cleaner, there are less people and you have more rights. In fact, what I'm about to write isn't 100% applicable to every person. But I believe it affects everyone to a certain degree.

There. That was my disclaimer, and that being said: a land like America has potential for problems. And no, I'm not just talking oil spills and abortion issues.

Recently I was talking with an Asian friend and he was telling me about how he grew up in a white neighborhood, and how he didn't really get along with his parents. On top of all this, he understood very little about the Asian culture because his parents had taken on the "American-White" style of living. On top of all this, he had a very bad experience going back to his home country, where his grandparents just yelled at him and made him go to school in the summer (since Asian countries have schedules different than ours). So overall, he felt very uncomfortable in any setting consisting of a bunch of Asians. He was much more comfortable around white people.

The question that went through my mind is: How can one feel uncomfortable around people their own type!?!

Now that question may be too naive in nature, but in my experience, and with others' experiences, I have come to realize the norm of society is the concept that "like-begets-like." I suppose there might be some childhood trauma or disgust involved with my friend, but I don't think it even borderlines abuse in terms of being a "turn-off" to people like him. I guess it's also an identity crisis. Not having been reinforced with who you are early in life can often lead to confusion about who you are and who you interact with later in life. Not saying that it is all bad- often people who develop like this can be very open minded to things like other ethnicities. Yet, I feel they lose a sense of their own internal ethnic identity.

Growing up in a relatively traditional Asian family, I guess I really do have a bias, and I assume that all Asians that are in my generation have grown up with their parents' traditional influences. My grandma always said to me "marry a Chinese woman; Chinese people are good; stay together with your fellow Chinese people, they understand you best." Stuff like that. Not that I'm going to necessarily follow any of that. Yet, talking with my friend made me realize not everyone was like that and how America was slowly trending towards a loss of ethnic identity.

What does it mean to be an American? I hope it certainly doesn't mean to forgo or forget about one's roots. Unfortunately, more and more people are becoming complacent or apathetic about their roots. Something, which could end up being very dangerous in the future of America's ethnic diversity...

Just something to consider and think about!!

-KKZ

Being Depressed is No Fun...