How has music saved your life?

darkrider1 · #1 07-29-2008, 05:23 PM

Sometimes I think back to some of the hard times I had growing up, and how certain periods of my life are marked in my memory by certain songs or artists I was listening to, what instruments I was playing at the time, or what band I was playing in, all the way back to first picking up a saxophone in elementary school band.

In retrospect, I think I can honestly say I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the music, and this strange indescribable need to play it. There have been periods in my life where I didn't get to play much for a variety of different reasons (life always throws curve balls it seems) but I always go right back to it, after not too long. It's always this aching need in the back of my mind.

Have you ever tried to relate this feeling to non-musicians? Have you noticed that regardless of what you say, there's no way to accurately convey the need, that leads to the joy?

Does anyone else here feel that way, and if so, please share your stories!

MyUsernameHere · #2 07-29-2008, 05:48 PM

I don't have any stories like that, but music has saved my life in another way. I was walking to rehearsal with my bass and a crazy mugger stopped me, took my bass and broke it on the ground screaming something about blood worms, Celine Dion stealing his ideas, and how my left hand looked like a tasty bratwurst.

Before he could take his diabolical plan to steal my wallet and chew on my appendages to fruition, I was able to pick up my broken bass neck and stab him in the eye with the jagged edge.

The police never caught the guy, so if any of you see a one-eyed cannibal wandering around singing Celine Dion songs...don't get too close.

Fassa Albrecht · #3 07-29-2008, 06:02 PM

For me music has been a really positive influence.

I was heavily bullied for most of my teenage years and I had the idea planted in my head that I was useless outside of school and academic work.

It isn't helped by the expectation that my family has on me to get a degree and a 'normal' job of sorts, with no interest in anything else.

So when I came to uni and began to play bass I realised I was more than just a load of exam marks and pieces of paper. I realised I could actually do something without a teacher or family member telling me what to do.

Also, during a recent depressive spell I was contemplating suicide and it was my bassplaying which kept me distracted and busy. It also gave me an outlet for a lot of the betrayal and hurt I was feeling from a situation that I was involved in.

darkrider1 · #4 07-29-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyUsernameHere

Before he could take his diabolical plan to steal my wallet and chew on my appendages to fruition, I was able to pick up my broken bass neck and stab him in the eye with the jagged edge.

I've had to protect myself with my instrument before, but not in nearly as dramatic way!

darkrider1 · #5 07-29-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Also, during a recent depressive spell I was contemplating suicide and it was my bassplaying which kept me distracted and busy. It also gave me an outlet for a lot of the betrayal and hurt I was feeling from a situation that I was involved in.

I also suffer from depression, but I've never contemplated suicide. When I am down, I just feel terrible and can be randomly grouchy. Playing music really pulls me up. Amazing what a difference it makes for me at least.

Fassa Albrecht · #6 07-29-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkrider1

I also suffer from depression, but I've never contemplated suicide. When I am down, I just feel terrible and can be randomly grouchy. Playing music really pulls me up. Amazing what a difference it makes for me at least.

It wasn't the depression directly that caused the problem, but a ombination of this and a massive argument I'd had at the time of these suicidal thoughts.

Strange that a lump of wood saved me from doing something so drastic and tragic

Valerus · #7 07-29-2008, 06:24 PM

I'm glad you guys have been positively affected by music

Umm...without music...I wouldn't have a field of interest to go into.
Nothing else seems worth it to me.

My faith in God and my faith in music are the top two things I have right now.

Revvv · #8 07-29-2008, 08:53 PM

I don't know about saving me, but the lifestyle that can go with music almost killed me at one point. I stopped playing for years so I wouldn't drop back into that lifestyle.

jinithith2 · #9 07-29-2008, 10:01 PM

I've had some periods of time where I was completely downtrodden, and I would always find myself listening to music or playing my bass in 45 minute chunks all throughout the day.
Definately helped me pull through

darkrider1 · #10 07-29-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revvv

I don't know about saving me, but the lifestyle that can go with music almost killed me at one point. I stopped playing for years so I wouldn't drop back into that lifestyle.

You mean staying out late playing in clubs, and having to breathe in tons of second-hand cigarette smoke?

Barkless Dog · #11 07-30-2008, 05:48 AM

Being in bands kept me out of trouble and gave me something very positive in a very troubled home & poor friend choices.

mattygbass · #12 07-30-2008, 05:51 AM

the bass guitar saved my life!! when i quit drugs i put all my time into the bass. it has been a great outlet for me.

Matt Till · #13 07-30-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkrider1

You mean staying out late playing in clubs, and having to breathe in tons of second-hand cigarette smoke?

I think it was in reference to the "rock and roll lifestyle." Depending on the scene, drugs and alcohol are around and in excess. And, if you don't play doom metal, women, which in my limited experience means death for us all.

Without music, I probably would have offed myself years ago, no joke.

darkrider1 · #14 08-05-2008, 08:30 PM

Surely there must be some more people on TB who feel as strongly as we do about how music has saved their life?

uethanian · #15 08-05-2008, 10:13 PM

without music i would go insane. literally.

jomahu · #16 08-06-2008, 04:51 AM

it's the only thing that makes me happy and that i'm kinda good at. otherwise, i really do suck at life.

JazzBass Love · #17 08-12-2008, 07:19 AM

For me, I can't even begin to describe how huge of an impact music has had on me. I started playing guitar when I was 12, which was around the time my dad's health began to fail. He ruptured 5 discs in his lower lumbar, so obviously, he couldn't work anymore. The one thing that helped keep my dad from going insane was having common ground with me. I grew closer to my dad as a result of playing with him. Sitting around and playing together acted as the ultimate therapy for both of us.

Due to financial issues, my family had to move to Illinois. Around this time, I got my first bass (Fender MIM Jazz). Having a bass to play helped me cope with losing most of what I had (Our family went from 150k/yr to 15k/yr, so the luxuries of old were sold to make the move) as well as losing my friends.

When in college, playing the bass helped me cope when my dad had a heart-attack. Thank God, he pulled through (and with surprisingly little damage to the heart). It seems that every time something bad happens in my life, I have had either my guitar or my bass by my side to comfort me. Even after my recent bout with kidney stones, when I regained my strength I had my bass by my side. So, I'm going to guess that without music, I would have likely either gone insane or off'd myself. Thank God for music!

BassOverdrive · #18 08-12-2008, 10:47 AM

For me I was playing games and had all kinds of sad stuff welled up inside and always wanted to do something different in my life. I picked up a guitar and thought now im like all those other guys i see on tv, I bought a bass instead and felt unique, like this instrument was different than anything else Ive ever picked up in my life. Bass allowed me to write my emotion and everything that I am into a creative sound and also helps treat alot of sad times. That and we make sexy grooves and thats an extra borwnie point ;O

darkrider1 · #19 08-12-2008, 06:13 PM

I'm so glad you all are keeping this thread alive! I think it's important.

Body · #20 08-13-2008, 01:12 AM

Lost my best friend, my brother, when I was 11. I guess I get depressed a lot but when I have music on or am playing my bass I feel good, don't know what it's about but yeah. Upbeat of Ska and the easy tones and great lyrics of punk has kept me goin' strong.