When I was younger, I voluntarily picked up the violin, much to the ‘delight’ of my parents. It seemed like I was inflicting a form of ‘musical torture’ on them in the early years of learning. Probably more because of my own passion than any influence from my parents. Imagine it sounding like this young chap playing it.
So, where did this fascination for music originate? To a large extent, it stemmed from the simplicity of it and the immediate feedback. Creating sounds was entirely within my own hands. And luckily what is music is nowadays subjective.
It was a significant investment from my parents to acquire a violin, pay for classes, and cover all related expenses. Fortunately, we had insurance for the expensive instrument, which came in handy given my tendency for clumsiness during my younger years. I’ll leave it to your imagination to figure out why the insurance mattered here 😉
The most rewarding part of playing the violin was when it started to sound like music. This might sound simple, but the learning curve for this instrument is actually quite steep. My playing skills received a significant boost when I joined the local Kreismusikschul-Orchester in my hometown of Erding. The ensemble sounded instantly better, and I also enjoyed the social aspect of it – being out and about!
I’m particularly proud of the music tour we embarked on in the beautiful island of Corsica, France. Our entire ensemble went on tour, which resulted in numerous joyous memories. It felt like a holiday with one or two concerts thrown in. For young kids like myself (I was around 16 at the time), going on an adventure trip with peers is one of the best things imaginable. I formed pleasant friendships and cherished moments spent on the beach and cooking together.
Participating in the orchestra and performing in concerts were great highlights. So, why didn’t I pursue a career as a music teacher? I would attribute it to the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle. I was willing to put in the initial 80%, but wasn’t as keen on perfecting the last 20%, as it would have required an additional 80% effort. Moreover, it wasn’t a top priority in my teenage life anymore. I found other interests more exciting, such as the card game Magic: The Gathering, interacting with girls, and delving into computers and computer games. These interests ultimately led me down the path of pursuing a career in tech, which I thoroughly enjoy, allowing me to create in the digital cyberspace.