**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

**NOTE** “What I’ve Learned” is a new series I am starting here at UI. It will dive into a myriad of different subjects, and what I’ve learned about them during my short time on earth. Hopefully it creates conversation and allows me to learn more about the subject.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. - Mary Schmich - Chicago Tribune

One of the first things I’ve learned about friends is that that the above statement is quite true. After moving back to the area where I grew up after being away for just over 7 years I’ve managed to rekindled a plethora of dormant relationships in the last several months and it has been quite beneficial to my psyche.  I think a lot of people feel the need to leave where they grew up for many reasons. Quite often I hear people say  things like “If I stayed in my home town I’d be eating hay and riding a tractor” or some sort of statement like that. I’ve found though that more often than not it is your hometown, and specfically your home town friendships that determine the course of your relationships throughout the rest of your life. As you get older, you really will need the poeple you knew when you were younger.

I’ve also learned that the more “friends” you allow in to your life, the more drama you allow in to it as well. Think about it, it’s virtually inevitable. When you mix two or more lives together you can expect to inherit some of the other individuals issues. It’s the way life works. That’s why I’ve learned that it’s important to keep the amount of friendships you have to a minimum, as I have for most of my life. I’ve got too much going on to have to concern myself with other peoples issues, or other peoples problems. Now those that I call friend, are the ones who I have said these people are my friend, I’ll give the shirt off my back, I care about their lives, and want to be involved in them. Everyone else, is merely an acquaintance. Someone who, while I want access to their life, I want only limited access. While, I’d drop what I was doing in a heartbeat for a friend, an acquaintance is someone who if I have the ability to make time for I certainly will, but I am not going to go out of my way for an acquaintance.

I’ve learned that a real friend, doesn’t spare your feelings. They’re honest, and if you’re an idiot that could mean that they’re consistently telling you things that tick you off, especially if you’re fairly consistent at screwing up. The beauty of friendship though is that it’s not ‘mean’ or ‘rude’ coming from your friend. It is simply your friend, being a friend. You have a hard time hearing the truth from someone who isn’t your friend, but coming from a friend it’s music to your ears and you sort of expect it, which helps in making it not quite as hard to hear.

Friends, are not necessary for survival, but they sure do make living a lot easier. Having a myriad of friends is overrated, but for some reason there are folks who feel like they can not live unless they have all their friends. I’ve learned though, after studying my friendships, and the friendships of those around me, those with a few close-knit friends don’t rely on their friends for survival, but certainly get a long a lot better in life then the folks I know who have a crap load of friends.

Most importantly I’ve learned that friends are simply extended family and should be treated as such. I don’t use my friends, and I hope that my friends don’t use me. I’ve known some of my friends for 10 years and others for as little as 10 months, the reality is they’re my brothers and sisters and I love them all.