Music to My Soul

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Ireally enjoy the sound of the violin. I play a little bit but mostly I enjoy listening to other people play. When I try to explain what I like about it I describe the sound as screeching and grinding. I know that probably isn’t what you expect to hear from someone who loves the violin. The fact is I agree with you. 

I guess you could say I’m not a regular person when it comes to music. I usually put it like this: You know how there are some people who say they’re tone-deaf when really they mean that they’re not the best singers in the choir or that when their friend talks about third and fourth harmonies they feel lost? Well that’s not actually tone-deaf. (For those of you thinking “No but I really can’t sing on key ” keep reading.) 

Tone-deaf describes people who can’t hear any aspects of music relating to tone. (Some people also can’t hear other parts of music like rhythm but that’s not exactly tone-deafness either.) To tone-deaf people all notes sound the same. Music might sound like pots clattering on the floor or like someone repeatedly honking their horn. They can’t enjoy music; it just isn’t part of their lives at all. 

Based on the statements I made back at the beginning you’re probably wondering whether or not I’m tone deaf. Truth is I consider myself nearly tone-deaf. I am capable of singing playing piano and as I said some violin but I can’t tell if my playing or singing sounds good or if I go off-key. That’s especially problematic for a violin which needs to be tuned frequently — and I can’t tell if it’s tuned properly! I’m often told I should just use an electronic tuner which would allow me to play each string and hear a signal when it’s tuned. I used to agree it would be a good idea until the time I tried it.