I started playing the violin at the age of 7. At first, playing a musical instrument was just a hobby. However, during my formative years, this skill became more and more important in my life, so much so that I continued playing it for another decade, until I was 17.
During the first years of learning, I think what marked my journey the most was the development of perseverance. I have always been a hard working kid, dedicated to my responsibilities - such as my studies. In order to cope with an extracurricular activity that required mental effort on my part, I had to learn to coordinate my schedule to find time to practice and perfect my technique. In that respect, I learned something early in my childhood that has proven valuable for the rest of my life: time management skills.
As I grew up, "creating" time to have violin lessons and practice was essential. These breaks acted as a getaway from studying, and as a way to relax and abstract my mind, especially in the years when I was completing the International Baccalaureate, a program that is very time-intensive and left me with a very tight schedule.
In addition to helping me perfect and learn a number of personal skills, playing an instrument has also empowered me socially. Having played in recitals and been part of orchestras at school and also at the music academy I attended, I often had to play with other people. This interaction reflected directly on my abilities to work as a team, since the concept of the orchestra is for everyone to play in tune - as if we were one. This activity also meant that I had a whole social network beyond the school and my religious or cultural circle. I met a lot of different people, of all ages, that I probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet if it wasn't for the violin.
In terms of learning as well, learning to play any instrument requires us to be able to read music. Although overrated, I think this skill is almost like knowing a third language. Being very thorough to read, this ability to interpret musical staves has helped me, in terms of learning, to sharpen my ability to concentrate.
Above all, I feel that the violin has provided me with great opportunities for self-development, not only in terms of social and teamwork, but also in academic terms. It helped me figure out how to better manage my time, to never give up, and developed my concentration and memory skills. Finally, what I feel was the biggest blessing that came from this activity was an escape from studying, and above all, a way to deal with stress - especially in the last years of high school. I learned how valuable it is to have an activity where we can abstract ourselves from our stress and where we can express and direct our emotions.
Imán Din
