Reflective Essay: How To Play An Instrument

Learning how to play an instrument does not happen overnight, it is an art that takes time and dedication to accomplish. Although I have been playing my clarinet for seven consecutive years, there are many things I continue to struggle with, like double-tonguing or counting while I play. Over the years, my entire mood toward music changed after choosing my instrument, being present for a group lesson, and participating in Solo and Ensemble Contest. Each event played a role in making me the musician I am today.

The idea of choosing an instrument at the age of nine seemed astonishing, but I never knew that a single day would spark an everlasting fire in my soul that longed for music. As a fifth grader sitting in the corner of a small music room,

Being new to this experience, I did not know what to expect, but one thing was for sure, this contest would alter my future in music. Arriving at the school and finding my room, I anxiously waited for my time to perform which slowly crept up and came too soon. When the judge called my name, I stood with my instrument and shakily made my way to the center of the room along with Mariah, my piano accompaniment. I warmed up with a B-flat scale and turned my attention to the judge, she welcomed me with a smile on her face and I introduced myself with a shaking voice. When Mariah and I were ready, I brought my clarinet into position with trembling hands and began. After I initiated the first notes and remembered the tranquility my music gave me, I lost track of everything. My body swayed with the beat, my hands stopped shaking, and my mind focused on the warm sound that escaped the bell of my clarinet. When the song concluded, I looked to Mariah with the largest grin on my face. I did it. This experience has shown me what I can do with my music and now I take the time to practice and learn new things because I want to continue moving people with the music I create and the emotions that come with it. As a young musician, I did not start knowing how to play the clarinet like a professional,