One With the Music

I step on stage and my heart beats at a million miles an hour. As I let my fingers take over, I relax and immerse myself into the song. When I’m playing guitar, I don’t have to worry about anything else, like the colossal amounts of homework due, my next big game, or even the seemingly astronomical crowd staring up at me. It’s like taking a hiatus from the real world, where all your problems melt away into music. All I have to fret about is hitting the right note and staying on beat.   

This hidden oasis in the vast desert of reality wouldn’t exist without the modern classical guitar, an acoustic wooden guitar that originated in Western Europe. It belongs to a family of wooden instruments called chordophones. It typically has six strings made of nylon. The design of the modern classical guitar can be attributed to Antonio de Torres, the most influential guitar maker in the 19th century.  Francisco Táregga was a guitarist and composer who was considered the father of modern classical guitar playing. He determined many aspects of the modern classical technique and raised the prestige of the guitar in the classical music tradition.

My pick hits the last note and I let it ring out as applause erupts from the audience. Walking offstage after a performance is the best feeling. it’s an adrenalin rush, and really boosts your confidence. It’s a feeling of relief for getting past it and not having to be the center of attention any longer, and of exuberance for conquering any fears about performing. It’s also a little sad because the music stopped and reality dawns on you again. I am so thankful for people like Francisco Táregga and Antonio de Torres because they assisted the foundation of the instrument I love. Without them, there wouldn’t be that feeling of stepping of the stage, or the butterflies that tickle my stomach before I perform. There would be no interruption of actuality, and because of that, I am truly appreciative of this instruments and all people attributed to its creation.  

Resources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_classical_guitar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_classical_guitar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_guitar

Images
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vAqS-e1fIbEwHQNmOl0ZwjR-9UCQYorRYjXD07ePlL1jOokAa-QQHf9Fs6u4aKTdMx8qfOkqbjM9nU9HgjQf4r4NjWWCziyea_8j_h48OF-TDFA587YzBF6oBsieH2cIcU6qw_em
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6moRzUclPRssacbxnptPUV40gTQ4_fADx5xrczwLdSCRD1QsIkSZzu1-AGZj8P0g7PkjAaY1KCrANjrIrf4LHWUc71CqwEfDYauHe2nxEA1QcPGBg-SfNk_v1mTTmcjh5849BKHP

Video
https://youtu.be/B43xHBpNUWk