... Joe Satriani - I Believe

During today's concert (see yesterdays blip for more info) a little beetle wandered out from the music Stand in front of me... How did he get there?! I wondered. And more to the point... how the hell did I get here?!

I looked out into the audience to see a music teacher who gave me the Young Musician of the year award when I was at school, I had to stand up and do a recital in front of a paying audience in the school hall. I played Einaudi's Le onde (the waves) on the piano and Polish Dance by Edmund Severn on my violin... I was 15... But I can remember this overwhelming moment like it was yesterday. The moment I realise what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

My dream.

I was awarded joint 1st and 2nd place for both of my performances...

I sweeped the whole of the board and was then awarded the overall Young Musician of the Year... In my fifth year at secondary school (2005) It may not be the most amazing award to ever receive but to me. It was a turning point. I found me.

Tonight I sat in an orchestra made up of 3 of my 4 violin teachers from the last 14 years...

The majority of the orchestra (no offence to a certain person I know who will read this) over double my age... Crazy.

These musicians, have lived the length of my life twice over... They have experience oozing out of the cracks in their shoes...
And what do I have?! - newer shoes?!

I'm maybe realising how lucky I am...

It made me wonder whether I should get back to Music again. I have so much I am yet to learn... We never stop learning...

I didn't go straight into a masters degree when I graduated from University as I didn't feel I was ready... I was a bit of a lost soul and going through a lot so I just had to stop. Get out. Breathe. Save some pennies. Now the soles of my feet are itching for more... I've stuck heart and hand on Aberdeen and the Music Scene up here all my short life, being asked to play for things many people my age can only dream of... I really don't know why I get asked...

Maybe now the time is right to follow my dream again?

A special person, gave me this money box... It has pride of place in my house. I save up 5p's inside of it... Those were her orders. As she handed it to me.... In its box she said...

"always follow your dreams, Bub"

She had a tattoo on her back... Which read "I believe in my dreams" - inspired by this song...

"I believe - Joe Satriani

I've had it on loop all the way home...

I Believe

"I've been out walking for hours.
I've got something on my mind.
How did we get here? Where are we going?
And why is life so hard?

I read the stories, see the photographs.
World's in a crazy place.
I've got to hold on to my dreams;
There's just no other place.
There's just no other place.

I believe
We can change anything.
I believe
We can rise above this.
I believe
There's a reason for everything
I believe
In my dream.

I've seen the shadows of the living.
Seen them turn and walk away.
And I keep searching for the right words.
To send these thoughts away.

There's a picture I like to look at,
A picture of a beautiful face.
And I see something in her eyes,
Sends me to a better place.
Sends me to a better place.

I believe
We can change anything.
I believe
In my dream."

Joe Satriani.