I have always had the fantasy of playing in a rock and roll band. I decided to take the first step towards achieving this daydream. I bought a drum set off Facebook Marketplace. I felt proud, setting up my own drum kit and practicing. Although I’m not Roger Taylor just yet, I enjoy it. I use it to let my mind rest after a big day. Music makes me want to dance, to relax, and lights the fire in my soul. I wanted to see if others felt the same way. 

Matthew Thomas Davidson, junior French and hospitality business management major, said that he uses the piano to relieve stress. 

“Whenever I’m stressed out, I usually play a song or two and then I’m able to relax a little bit and just sort of get my mind around things again,” Davidson said. 

He told me that he has a personal connection to the piano he plays. 

“It’s not actually store-bought. It’s something I got from my great grandfather. He used to play music too. So basically every time I play a song on there, it reminds me of his passion,” Davidson said. 

He said he believes his great grandfather’s spirit lives on through the piano and that every time he plays, it’s a way to honor his memory.

Davidson said he encourages people to start playing a musical instrument because it can help develop the brain because you are learning a new skill. In order to start, he said to put yourself in touch with a musician or teacher you know and to download music apps in order to grasp the basics.

Davidson has been playing the piano since he was five years old. Although gifted with natural talent, such as perfect pitch, he said that music is more than an ability to him. 

“For me, whenever I play music, it just flows through me so I really put a lot of emotion into it,” Davidson said.

If you don’t want to learn how to play an instrument, that’s okay. Davidson said that simply listening to music can help you cope with negative feelings. 

“Listening to music in general has helped my friends and people [I know] who are genuinely dealing with stuff, because music has certain messages. The music can be very relatable, depending on the mood. It’s very calming overall,” Davidson said. 

He recommended listening to soothing music with slow beats, also known as lo-fi, and classical music on YouTube in order to calm down. 

Davidson specifically recommended the song “Liebeßtraum” by Liszt. He said it is very daydreamy and allows his brain to drift off for a moment.

Ashley Swanson, freshman music education major, said that this feeling associated with music can offer a new perspective on the world. 

“It can help you express yourself in a way that is different than just talking, or writing things down,” Swanson said. 

She believes that music can connect anyone, no matter your background.

 “There isn’t necessarily a language barrier for music, it’s more like an emotion that you can feel together or you can perform together,” Swanson said.

Swanson said music is crucial, especially during COVID-19, because it can help you connect to others.

“It gives us a reason to reach out to people. If you hear a song and you’re like, ‘oh I really liked that song and it has to do with a memory,’ it brings us back to a certain point and I think that’s pretty cool,” Swanson said. 

If you want to get involved with music, Swanson recommends reaching out to current musicians because they can help lead you down the right path. 

To close the discussion, Swanson said to keep an open mind when trying to learn more about music. 

“I would suggest for people to just open their ears to new types of music,” Swanson said. 

Music is not only enjoyable, but can help express your feelings through song and lyrics. If you want to play, you don’t necessarily need to be a rock star to love music. So what are you waiting for? Pick up your guitar pick, drumsticks or just your hands and start playing.