#musicmajorproblems

I think I was somewhere around eleven years old when I decided I wanted to major in music.  It just seemed the natural thing.  I loved the piano so much that it hurt, and I was good at it.  I couldn't go a day without singing, and I was good at that, too.  Bam. Music major. Done.

Well, as you all know, I changed my mind about my major more than a few times after that.  Recently, I changed it again, and I am officially a mass communications major.

I really am excited about what lies ahead in the field of mass communications.  But for one whole year, I was a music major.  Here's some of what it taught me.

• Music can make you feel a thousand different emotions at once.  If a cello solo doesn't make you cry, I really don't understand you.
• If you're not practicing, you should be.
• You can't just throw the word "classical" on any instrumental music before the twentieth century and expect not to get dirty looks from everyone in the music building.  Are you talking Renaissance? Baroque? Romantic? Symphony? Chamber music? Song without words? C'mon, people.
• Two weeks of aural skills will change the way you hear music forever.  
• Do not correct any music major concerning anything about music unless you want to get shanked.
• You thought music literature would be your easy class? Hahahahahahahahahaha
• Trust what you feel and take chances with it.  Music is art.
• Nine classes is a light load.
• Hard work does pay off.  Even five minutes of purposeful practice can make a huge difference.  Don't slack, and don't do anything halfway.  If this isn't what you love to do, don't do it.
• The most desirable superpower is perfect pitch.
• Someone will always be better than you.  Don't let that discourage you; instead, let it inspire you.
• I've heard it said, "If you love music, don't major in music."  While I don't agree, I see where this is coming from.  It's easy for music to become work.  Don't let it.  Don't forget to love it, to enjoy it.  Listen to all kinds of music.  Go to every concert you get the chance to attend.  Don't lose your passion.

It's going to be sad not to be a music major anymore, and I'm glad that I am keeping the music minor so I can keep hanging out with my musical family in the Porter lounge.  I always wanted to study abroad, but I couldn't afford it... so I'm so blessed and thankful that I got to spend a year in the land of the music majors.  Maybe I'll go back one day.