Introductions

My name is Emily and I am writing this blog for my Communications Level Two class. I am very excited about this assignment for two reasons. The first reason I am excited is because I love writing. That being said I prefer writing fiction so this experience of writing about actual events is new to me. If my audience would like to provide feedback on my writing style that would be very much appreciated! The second reason I am excited about this assignment is because it is motivating. I have not touched a piano or keyboard in over six years (and even then is was briefly as I usually played percussion). So I am excited to have a reason to use the keyboard again and to gain new skills by joining a community of other instrumentalists that I can learn from! Now, since writing this post is actually an assignment I should actually spend some time creating the content that I need to create to receive a good grade. Without further delay here is some information about my discourse community!

The community I have chosen to write about is piano players. I may actually broaden this to musical instrumentalists (because the music community includes more than just pianists).  This community is very diverse and it’s traits varies by group. For example when I was in high school concert and jazz band (as a percussionist) we had a very different subculture than say, someone studying their Royal Conservatory in piano. However the love for musical arts units us all. I also think valuing practice and hard work is also important. In band we had to practice a lot. I remember most of my lunch hours involved eating quickly (in the music room) while talking to my fellow “band-nerds” about the latest songs and then spending the rest of the time practicing them. Hard-work is valued in the music community.

Since I am actually just rejoining this community of musicians my role is not yet established. I remember vaguely how to read music, however, I am sure I lost my skill in site reading. (The skill to play the piece while reading it for the first time.) Since I do have to explain my role in this community for the sake of my assignment I will say that I am a mentee. Although I do not have a role model yet to mentor me I plan on finding one. Since I am new I am a learner in this community. I also hope to find an online community of people who have more experience playing the piano than me so that I can get advice from them. If there are also any local bands I would love to join in order just to gain some more skills. I may also find a piano teacher if my budget allows me to. Meanwhile I am just going to review basic notes, practice playing them and take joy in the fact that I am rejoining my old community.

Finally, I am supposed to share what draws me to this community. I feel like that is almost indescribable. How can one explain the joy in ones soul that you get from hearing an amazing piece? The draw I feel towards music is intrinsic. Music is something that is shared in all cultures for a reason! Finally, I also love the thrill of playing a complicated piece correctly (after hours of struggle). The thrill of success is amazing! Finally, I enjoy the learning new skills. Learning is fun, especially when it involves music!

By: Emily