My dad was and still is a brillian musician. My brother and myself owe it to him for urging us to take piano at a young age and choosing a band instrument. We owe jazz band to him. We owe marching band to him. Let's just say...we owe him a lot. 

When we were younger, my dad used to play music for us to lull us to sleep. My brother, especially needed a magic dose of the music in order to calm down before rest time. We were layed out on a blanket and some twinkling music floated into our ears. 

And as we grew older, the music that floated underneath began to float side by side as we watched our dad play sitting next to him on the piano bench and then side-by-side as we played duets and trios. And regardless of whatever position we were hearing the music from, it still had that same magical effect-now we were just hearing music from a new perspective much like we hear life from a new perspective as we grow older and life changes happen and we find ourselves listening to the music from a new corner. 

It's been a while since I've played music with my dad. I think we should do it more often. But just yesterday we were practicing a piece for my brother's upcoming wedding. Now standing over him with my flute, I was able to hear the music from a whole new perspective at the same time simultaneously watching his fingers. And what I noticed was something I've never noticed before and that is-my dad plays with the softest fingers possible. Actually, it's like he barely touches the keys. He also has a little bit of a hard time hearing-which you would think would make him play louder. And yet, his fingers just barely rake the keys. It's like-no matter what song he plays-it still sounds like a lullaby. 

I guess you begin to think about the volume of music whilst also thinking about an individual's personality and how they view life. For my dad, no matter where he has been, he always sings the softest tune possible. I think for him, he's much more interested in what others have to say-I wish I could say I was as humble. I think he relishes in the idea of playing his melody softly so that it jives with any other melody that comes near it. And regardless of how frustrated or angry he may get sometimes, he always counteracts with a soft lullaby. 

Perhaps today, you think about the kind of melody you create. Think about the volume and how it matches with others. Think about the way in which you go about playing it and then strive to create a lullaby-you may find you hear the world with softer fingers and consequently-with a softer voice.