KIDZ CONNECTION PAGE 38 theconnectionsnj.com were just friends who loved playing guitar. Over time, they created their own unique style that mixes different genres together. Now they have played with some of the biggest bands in the world. Their story shows that music can start small but grow into something huge with hard work and creativity. I have been playing guitar since I was five, which led me to learn drums, bass, and keyboard. In addition to jamming with my uncle, I enjoy playing songs from some of the greatest rock bands of all time, like Metallica, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Nirvana. These bands have made music that still matters years later. Their guitar riffs are powerful, and their lyrics have strong meaning. When you listen to their songs, you can feel the energy and emotion behind every word and note. Their music does not just entertain people-it makes people think. It can change the way someone sees the world or help them feel less alone. Music has the power to inspire, unite, and influence. It can change moods, start movements, and bring people together. That is why it is so important for young people to keep it alive. Learn an instrument. Listen carefully to the songs you love. Try writing your own music. Do not just let music play in the background of your life. Be part of it. Create it. Share it. Let music continue to shape the future just like it has shaped the past-and even part of myself! Eshaan is a 9th grade student at Watchung Hills who has a strong interest in music. He enjoys listening to it as well as playing it. He also plays lacrosse, runs cross country, teaches Tae Kwon Do and spends time with his family, including his younger brother, and his doodle, Titan. He plans to continue playing music as long as he can! usic…What does it mean to you? To some, it just adds ambiance to a bar, movie, or fancy Italian restaurant that you blew that month’s budget on. To others, it is a hobby or a way to impress someone. But what is it really? What makes it so special? What gives music a firm grasp over people’s ideas and beliefs? Music can be broken down into a few parts. The steady beat of the drums keeps the band in time and is the base for the rest of the song. The plunking bass notes build layers to the song and give you that feeling where the notes shake your bones. The treble of the guitar is the flashy part that everyone is impressed by. It’s weak on its own but gives people something to listen to, and when combined with the bass and drums, it creates the mood of the song. It is something that can either make or break a song. Finally, the lyrics are what passes on the powerful message of the song. But music is more than just notes and words. Music has influenced the culture of the United States. A great example is the Woodstock festival in 1969. Thousands of people gathered to listen to music and stand for peace during a time when the country was divided. Woodstock became a symbol of both peace and rebellion. It showed that music could give people a voice. It proved that songs are not just entertainment. They can stand for ideas, movements, and change. Throughout history, music has helped people express what they believe in and fight for what they think is right. I strongly believe the next generation should continue to exert the power and influence that music has. Young people should learn instruments, write songs, and create new sounds. Music is always changing, and every generation adds something new to it. One of my favorite bands is Polyphia. The members started the band in 2010 when they TEEN VOICE Music & Meaning By Eshaan Patel Music has the power to inspire, unite, and influence. It can change moods, start movements, and bring people together. M
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzA2NDY0