The relationship I have with music is very strong. My parents were a big part in this, playing Motown and oldies music when I was very young. I remember for long period of time, my dad would blast Bob Marley on Sunday mornings to wake us up and get ready for the day. Those were the best days.

My dad was very musically inclined, playing the guitar all the time. I can still hear him tuning his guitar and then starting to play this one song. Sadly both my sisters were not into playing instruments but they took up dance. I on the other hand decided to learn how to play the piano so that my dad would be proud of me. So my sister had an old keyboard that she was not playing and I set out to learn how to play it. Went on YouTube and started learning a really simple song, Love and Harmony I think. If you hear it you will definitely recognize it. I practiced and practiced until I got it down and played it for my dad. Although he was not all that impressed, I still think that it made him happy that I wanted to learn how to play music.

After a while of playing the piano, I wanted a little bit more of a challenge. Since my dad had 3 different guitars, I set out to learn how to play. With the help of my friend, Daniel, he convinced me to learn Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson. The beginning of this song sounded very difficult at first, but once I practiced (for just about 3 months) I had it down and played it for my dad to see if he was impressed. Again he just kind of smiled , but deep down I know he was proud he just didn’t want to show it.

After my dad passed away when I was 17 about to turn 18, I felt like I lost the passion for music, but I most definitely did not. I got more in touch with music and that was the one thing that helped me cope with my fathers passing. I would listen to Bob Marley constantly and listen to songs that reminded me of him. I would learn songs that would help me cope with these hard times.

I feel that music is a very powerful tool that is underutilized in the world today. The way that I see music, is that it is a way to tell a story of emotions through rhythm and lyrics that take you on an emotional rollercoaster. You have ups and downs, the bridge to the climax, and the ending with bliss. I feel that music has lost that sense of storytelling and making people feel a certain way. Nowadays its just electric noise or mutter rapping, which saddens me but I know that there are still great artists out there still making storytelling music.

What kind of music do you listen to? And how does it make you FEEL?