Andres+P's+OpEd+Article

= ** Awaken the Wonders of Music by Picking up a Flute ** = // By Andres Parra //

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Music opens creative and profound dimensions within the continuous routine of day to day life. Its rewards are among the greatest that can ever be achieved by man, inner peace. Furthermore, the benefits obtained through playing a musical instrument sweep an even wider array of areas. The widespread notion that it makes you smarter is not a myth, it activates certain parts of the brain that are essential to both the young and the elderly, not to mention everything in between. It’s a fun way to relieve the stress of an arduous day at work or at school by clearing the mind and relaxing the soul. It instills a sense of responsibility, having to dedicate a consistent amount of time in order to secure a mentality of accomplishment. ======

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You have likely come across this list before, and yet still the dream of playing an instrument may have not become a tangible actuality. In many ways it’s similar to learning a language, and without proper instruction and direction the endeavor effortlessly spirals into a muddle of chaos and frustration. However, there is an easier way to introduce the concept of music and I propose the flute as the answer. In contrast to the more popular instruments that are widespread in society, such as the guitar and piano, the flute removes numerous difficulties while simultaneously introducing its own distinctive voice. A transition can then take shape from the flute into either of those two wonderful instruments, but the journey will be facilitated by the prior knowledge that you have achieved. ======

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So the question becomes, what is so different regarding the flute? A melodic interval is created when a melody is made up of notes played one after the other, such as the case of the flute, but when notes are played together they create a sound called harmony. When you play three or more notes together, that is called a chord, but neither a harmony nor a chord are made possible by one flute which reduces the difficulty significantly. Those two popular instruments, the guitar and piano, while being able to metamorphose into a one man band have this obstacle to overcome. In addition, the flute is only concerned with the treble clef, unlike the piano which faces the situation of the bass and treble clef. Having to play two things at once is substantially more difficult than merely one. The steady progress throughout learning the flute will introduce invaluable concepts of music theory which will provide the fundamentals for any transition to another instrument. ======

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But why pick the flute and not another woodwind or even a brass instrument? Personal opinion reigns supreme, but it is difficult to not appreciate the mesmerizing magnificence of the flute. Its relaxing sound is capable of sending the audience as well as the musician into a trance of peace and harmony. Mozart’s Flute Concertos and Debussy’s Syrinx are just a minute quantity of the gems you will discover. So why not pick up a flute and witness in awe the wonder that is waiting in the world of music. ======