my five--music edition.

i have a few philosophies about music. five specifics, to be exact.

first, there is nothing better than that moment you find a new song or artist. you know what i'm talking about. nothing beats a new music find. nothing. one that speaks straight to your soul. or defines life for you. or just makes you feel good. new loves come in all forms.

two, every piece of music should be given equal opportunity and attention. to every song or artist, there is someone that really does love it. maybe even someone who would call it their favorite. therefore, when presented with a new song recommendation, you must never just listen once and decide you hate it. you must listen to a new song as if you already do love it. as if you're looking to describe why someone should love it, even if you think you don't. if you've listened with an open mind a few times and still don't like it? by all means, never listen to it again. everyone may have their own opinion. what is important, is that everything is given equal opportunity. there are so many songs that i would have blinded myself to had i had relied on my initial first-listening impression.

three, there will be songs that you'll fall in love with at first-listen. first few seconds, really. and it is in those moments that you experience one of the most beautiful things in all the world. for that is true art. something capable of moving you on first impression? magical, really. it's a magical moment.

four, my fell-in-love-on-first-listen songs may not be the same as yours. which is fine. differences of opinion are what make life beautiful. music is powerful. and with that power, can make you feel things and have impressions that you might not otherwise be able to ever experience through any other medium. and in that power, we all have different experiences and feelings that drive different presentations of music to have a differing effects on each and every one of us. something that moves me to tears, may not move you at all. and that's just the way it is. every experience influences your perception.

five, too much music is never given the proper opportunity for success that it deserves. but then again, i'm constantly amazed by not only the sheer amount of music in the universe, but also the incredible diversity to be found, even in the most seemingly similar of pieces.

go forth and practice with care. and an open mind/heart.

there is nothing worse than ignorance or unfounded arrogance.