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Seeing music | Jen Hock
FOTOFRIDAY 01.27.12
This week I picked a suggestion that was turned in last week {any suggestions are valid provided that you keep giving me ideas!} - I picked it for its creativity and personal appeal and because the suggestion came from someone who kept sharing this giveaway link on her page!! I couldn't help but appreciate her spreading the word. Here was the suggestion by Jen Hock:
"I suggest you photograph music. What does that mean...well it could be sheet music, could be instruments which could be orchestra type, band type or the old fashioned pot and wooden spoon, could be natures music such as birds or wind chimes. Many people listen to music but to SEE it in its passion and emotion could be very fun and very cool ;) Just a thought ;) Blessings to you."
I loved this idea as soon as I saw two words: sheet music. In town there is an old antique store that I browse through quite often. Really nice people that work there. I enjoy the small town conversation, the quiet, the smell of the coffee they are brewing. This antique store is just such a magical place. From the way the sun streams in on the old quaint things and their cobwebs to the sound of the creaking floors and rattling glass jars as you walk down the aisles. My heart just has this thing for nostalgia I can't explain.
There's an old player piano in this antique store. It sits piled high with old spools in their boxes. Seemingly forgotten and begging to be played. I am always drawn to it. For months I've wanted a reason to photograph it. This suggestion gave me the reason.
When I was a girl I took piano lessons from a man who had really smelly breath. I was 8. Some things you don't forget. But more than anything I remember quiet afternoons and playing on that old upright. That's where my love for piano began.. and lessons ended. When my parents divorced I really didn't get to finish playing or taking lessons. However, years later when I was 14 I started playing again on a piano my dad had bought. It became cathartic and a first love for me. Every day after school when most kids were probably outside playing kickball or something at the park, I was sitting at the piano trying to create by ear... beautiful melodies.. and actually, I wasn't too bad at picking out a song and replaying it on the piano. I learned to play by note enough, but I was always better at playing by ear.
To this day I am drawn to piano melodies in music. To me, there is no other instrument as delicately haunting as the piano. And for me personally, it always brings back memories of my childhood. It's strings are those of deep emotion and sweet nostalgia that attach to my heart. Music itself - is like an appendage to me. So much a part of my life day in day out. Music defines a lot about who I am personally. I think it does for most artists.
Loved this photo challenge and suggestion. Thank you Jen for your awesome suggestion. :)
