THE MUSIC ON THE EARS OF A TONE-DEAF

[6/30] THE MUSIC ON THE EARS OF A TONE-DEAF

Until about some years ago, I was a music enthusiast who watched MTV, checked the billboard hits on a weekly basis, and following music site as PitchFork. I was listening to hot released hits a lot, humming like crazy on the street, and put some singer picture as my desktop wallpaper. There was the time when I let music defines me. Sad music drags me sad, cheerful song bounces me high. I still remember, how music worked like fragrance on me. Some particular song connected with some people or some occasion. It is pretty much like an old saying; music hurts, music heals. (Almost sure that I just made that up). The thing is, I actually am a tone-deaf.

On our third year of junior high school, we had that music subject in our curriculum. One of the final tests for the subject was to sing one particular song in the group in choir style. So we formed a group of three and decide who would go soprano, who would take mezzo-soprano, and who was alto (or in the case of male: tenor, baritone, and bass). I considered my self a middle person, so mezzo-soprano might be my part, that's what I think back then. Turned out, I couldn't really follow the pitch no matter in which voice I assigned to. I felt terrible for my group mates for later we got average mark which I believe was my fault. I'm glad that no one kicks my butt for that. But anyway, that was the first time I realized that maybe music is not my thing.

I was that wicked person, who keeps singing (everywhere and every time) even though I know for sure that I barely have any control over my pitch. Before leaving Bali last year, my friend and I frequently go to karaoke places, where I pretended to have a high tone as Sia and sounds pretty like Lady Gaga. In fact, I was sure that we were about blowing each other eardrums by listening to us singing. Lucky this city citizen that I can't really afford to spend my money at those karaoke places.

This afternoon, I was taking a long ride on the bus with my headphones sticking to my ears and realize that I no longer hear the music to define anything happened in my life. I shifted the place with that stuff I was listening to. I define them to be heard. The annoying concept, I would say. I checked my Spotify playlists just now, finding Arctic Monkey on the top, following by Dexys Midnight Runner, The Lumineers, The Smiths, Fourtwnty, Stars and Rabbit...long list to go and how much I am into folk and beautiful indie music.

Well, my relationship with music may slightly change, but my ability in perceiving it doesn't really change for a decade. Me, singing while showering is still an enormous problem in this house.

Love,
A.

Picture was taken during the stadtfest last week.