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By Emelie Sanders.
This morning, my mother took her work into the living room, declaring today would be an official “couch day.” For her work she either designs websites or writes. On her design days, Meredith, Kenny and I are free to play music, watch movies or television shows together on the couch. Basically, a “couch day” means we are allowed to be much louder than usual. Obviously, it’s a Sanders’ favorite.
Turning on the Apple TV, I brought up my favorites on YouTube and showed Momma a few recent finds. My favorites are simply a collection of videos I find inspiring, which usually consists of ukulele tutorials, music covers and Indietracks. After showing my third video, she suggested I write about the different things that serve as inspiration for me and today I wanted to write solely about music’s impact in my life.
Most of the adults in my life like to tell me how unhealthy my constant background music is for performance skills and productivity. Most specifically, how it can distract me and effect my ability to memorize and concentrate. I have not formed an opinion about whether or not this is true simply because I have not seen these claims visible in my own life. I have actually noticed the positive effect music has on my productivity, unlike television which is a constant visual distraction for me.
Whether I am cleaning the kitchen and need some jams or getting away in my room to read in peace, I have music playing. I would say I play music 75% of my day. The other 25% is merely the mercy I bestow upon my family when they beg for a little silence.
Obviously, music plays a large role in my life. I have a great respect and appreciation for music and its artists. My respect for musicians increased after I decided to learn to play the ukulele. A year prior to that decision I was introduced to Christofer Drew (a.k.a. Never Shout Never) after he published his first album to iTunes. The album consisted of many quirky ukulele songs with a rare addition of a guitar or harmonica. I was instantly inspired, sold my guitar to a creepy guy at a pawn shop for $50 and bought a cheap ukulele at a music shop.
I failed miserably attempting to teach myself to play, learning the chords incorrectly and tuning my ukulele to the wrong notes. In my defense, I am not the musically talented one in the family. That would be Meredith, who at this very moment is writing yet another song on her keyboard.
Only a few days ago I was able to undo the damage from poor playing habits I’ve learned, reteaching myself multiple chords and tuning my ukulele correctly for the first time.
Printing the chords for “Free Fallin’” by John Mayer, I sat on the back porch with Daddy for a couple of hours and eventually picked up the song. The strumming pattern did not come as easily for me…which was discouraging. To get out of my head I turned to my YouTube favorites. Sometimes all I need is a little encouragement.
For five years, the band Walk off the Earth has been writing original tracks and performing creative covers of popular songs. There is no doubt that all five members of this band are truly talented, but they never cease to inspire me – a not-so-talented musician. Seeing other people succeed after so much hard work encourages me to keep playing and to not smash my ukulele against the ground when I am unable to accomplish a simple strumming pattern.
I do not plan to learn another instrument besides the ukulele, but I am still encouraged by the way they creatively approach music. Walk off the Earth uses a variety of instruments in their music. In their cover of “Somebody That I Use To Know” originally performed by Gotye, Walk off the Earth uses a single guitar to cover the different instrumentation from the original song. They inspire me to be more inventive and not shy about how I play my ukulele.
Lately I have given a lot of thought to the things that occupy my days, considering how the time I spend now can benefit my future. I do not plan for music to have a large role in my future other than the occasional busking to get out of my comfort zone, but music definitely is a hobby of mine, whether I am playing or listening.
Momma always tells me no one can be good at everything so pick carefully. Music is one of the things I chose and the inspiration I gather from other artists is a blessing.
How does music inspire you and if you have a list of iTune or YouTube Favorites, what are your top 5?
Emelie, daughter of Heather L. Sanders, is a homeschooled teen and a retired “wanna-be over achiever.” She is slowly narrowing down the things she wants in life, pursuing American Sign Language, health, fitness, Minecraft and her kitty, Finn.