**NOTE** “What I’ve Learned” is part series here at UI. It dives into a myriad of different subjects, and what I’ve learned about them during my short time on earth. I write these “What I’ve Learned” entries in an attempt to hopefully it create conversation and allow me to learn even more about the subject. To read more from the “What I’ve Learned” series simply click on one of the entries linked at the bottom of this one. Also, feel free to comment letting me know what you’ve learned about music…and be sure to elaborate!

First and foremost I’ve learned that the ability to express a feeling, a dream, a concept, and idea, a cry, or any sort of thought is more easily done in music. It doesn’t even have to be lyrical. Music is so incredibly expressive that it is almost impossible NOT to allow your music to express one of those things. I think that is the reason why I’m so drawn to all (well most) forms of music. The freedom of expression is almost overpowering.

I’ve also learned that most people limit themselves to one or two genres of music. They seem to never step outside the boundaries set by those genres and as a result they have a very limited scope of anything truly musical. There are so many forms of music out there that I couldn’t quite possibly limit myself to one or two genres. Now grant it, there are genres out there that I am not a fan of, but that doesn’t mean I don’t or won’t listen to them. It simply means I don’t listen to them as regularly as I would the genres that I am a fan of.

I’ve learned that judging a person by the music they listen to is absolutely foolish. For instance on any given day you can usually hear me jamming out to urban music or hip hop. You’ll also hear classic rock, reggae, spanish (even though I have no idea what they’re saying), pop, punk, grunge, alternative, and even classical. Sometimes I wonder what people think when they hear the music I listen to. I’ve only had a few folks say anything to me. One time someone said they had me penned as a underachieving stoner when they heard me listening to grunge, but they changed their mind when I rolled in the next day jamming out to some Gregorian chants. I’ve realized that while you’re able to tell something about a person by the music they listen to, more often than not you don’t learn anything terribly important about the person based on their music choice.

I’ve learned that the only way to listen to music is loudly. I have a love/hate relationship with car rides. I don’t like driving, but I LOVE jamming out when I’m in my car. I know that others are often irriatated by the fact that they can hear my music, and I try to jam out as respectfully as possible but, sometimes I can’t help myself. Music HAS to be listened to loudly so you can take in the full effect of the sounds, the words, the melodies, the beats and everything else associated with the piece.

I’ve learned that music is powerful. This sort of relates to my first statement. Think about it, how many forms of artistic expression exist that allow you to do the things music lets you do? I mean, I’ve known many artists who have released a disc with one sound then their next disc is a completely different sound. Sure a fiction author can write non-fiction. A blogger can be a poet. A canvas artist can create sculptures. All those other forms of artistic expression are limited to just a few other alternatives whereas, music is limitless.

Most importantly I’ve learned that there is a song for every feeling, every emotions, every season, every year, month, day, hour, minute, second. There is always a piece of music for you at any given time. I’m not sure about you, but that is pretty damn cool to me.

What about you? What have you learned about music. Feel free to comment below.

Other entries from the “What I’ve Learned” series:
What I’ve learned about friends