The way these notes strike my ear canal

Isn't it strange, the way music touches our hearts and minds? It doesn't even have to be "good" for me to really like it. Of course, I think all the music I listen to is good, but that's because there's always a handful of artists that somehow get inside my mind, and rattle my brain around, or make me feel cold in a positive way, or just make me feel good for absolutely no reason. The list of things it affects people is endless.

The dictionary definition of music is "the art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion." The expression of emotion is the key aspect of music. If you don't get excited, or really believe in playing an instrument like a guitar, then long can you take lessons before you say something insensitive, like 'my fingers aren't long enough,' and give up? Music is one of the first things you figure out as a child, something you, learn, live, and love. It's like a picture, or a precious moment in your life that you admire for a while.

Talent doesn't play a very important role in whether I like an artist or not, and/or whether I will listen to it more. The same goes for most people, at least, from my own experience. Let me explain.

Bro: Nate, have you ever heard of Seabass and the Fellas?

Me: No, are they good?

Bro: Dude, they're SO good! Listen to this

(I reluctantly insert the ear bud Bro gave me into my ear. The song starts out slow with some guitar and builds slowly into a decent song, especially when it got to the chorus).

(After 42 seconds, Bro can't wait any longer)

Bro: So, what do you think?

Me: Yeah... they're pretty good.

Bro: I know, right?! Ah, I just LOVE this song!

And just because I said I liked it, we got to listen to Seabass and the Fellas for the remainder of the time I was at Bro's house. Was I lying when I said they were good? No, I thought they were decent, but the music didn't touch me in the ways that other music did, and others still will, later on. Some of which probably isn't nearly as 'good.' And since I got to listen to their album twice through with Bro, I never want to listen to Seabass and the Fellas again in my life. Does this situation ring any bells?

The only time I can really say that a form of music is bad is if it is having a negative and dismal effect on somebody's life. Example: Linkin Park. I'd say they are a pretty talented band, and I enjoy hearing one of their songs now and again when my ipod is on shuffle. But when I was 13, Linkin Park messed me up. I definitely listened to them way too much, and their lyrics subdued me and gave me a very negative mind set. Thankfully, most of the people in my life aren't as stupid as me, so I couldn't hinder there for too long. But that's a perfect example of the way music captivates you. Just like Bro with Seabass and the Fellas, there was something about Linkin Park that I just couldn't get enough of. I don't know what exactly, but it wasn't their negative lyrics, or the then-cool screaming... however, the screaming is what made me lose interest in Linkin Park. After finding out that the guy who screamed was really just saying 'aahh,' like at the dentist, into a little voice filter. What a loser.

In essence, what I am trying to say here is that music is a lot more powerful than we realize. And just in case you're wondering, I've been listening to Simon and Garfunkle this entire time. And I never listen to Simon and Garfunkle.