Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?

Ya, I have and it is actually one of the better memories. When I was about twelve years old, my dad picked up the oud – a short-necked Arabic lute that is one of (if not the most) iconic Middle Eastern instruments. For nearly one year, I went to once-a-week lessons. I can’t pretend that I became remotely good at it — learning the oud takes infinite patience and commitment — but those sessions made me realize a lot about rhythm, discipline, and listening to music. Though I don’t play much any more, that experience instilled a huge respect and appreciation for the level of dedication musicians put towards their craft. Every now and again I think about returning to it when I have more downtime..

Admittedly, I would probably say the piano and the oud without missing a heartbeat. I think piano is one of the most versatile instruments ever created. It has the potential to express an unbelievable variety of emotions; as melancholy as despair or happiness like pure joy depending on how it is played. I like classical pianists such as Chopin and more modern artists. The oud is, on the other hand, a very dear instrument to my heart because of its role in my culture. The only thing I can think of to do it justice is the warmth and resonance in the sound are nostalgic and profound all at once. It is as if the music is narrating a story about an oud player playing it skillfully whenever I listen to such music. In the evenings, I frequently play instrumental music to unwind from a long workday, and I have found it considerably more effective than anything else I’ve tested up to this point.