Of course I love the clarinet. I love its rich woody sound, that oozes like caramel, that expresses a thousand stories and songs in each note. It’s an old friend, that I treasure dearly, comforting and familiar. It’s my true love.
But there are other kinds of love. And I have fallen head over heels for the saxophone.
I’ve always loved its sound, that golden elixir smoother than silk, exotic and beautiful. It usually caresses my ears, in wind band, sitting behind me.
But it wasn’t until the summer, that I truly fell in love. I went to this saxophone concert, when things were opening up again. They did lots of music, which I enjoyed. But their best was a version of Adagio for Strings. An already heartwrenching piece made even more so, in the soulful saxophones, each note filled with emotion as we soared to the heavens and down again, in that forever ascension and declension of that grief-stricken passage. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything so beautiful. It made me cry, took my breath away, left me feeling everything at once I still have dreams about that piece.
And ever since, I have listened to the saxophones. I found a playlist of saxophone covers of popular songs, which really helps me relax, reduces my anxiety, and leaves me feeling calmer. Is as if they understand how I feel, without needing to say a word. It’s all there, expressed in that gloriously heavenly sound. It touches my soul, soothes my mind, calms me as it fills me from head to toe with serenity. I take it everywhere, with these new earphones, and it makes life less daunting and overwhelming.
Ive always had a little dream of learning it, ever since I found out my maternal grandfather loved the saxophone. Perhaps one day.
Of course I still love the clarinet. It’s been there for me, through thick and thin. Its my anchor when I am lost. My sunshine, on bad days. My friend, who always listens, and never judges. Who celebrates the good days, and understands the bad days. My guide, when my sight fails. My comfort, when I need it most. And my joy, that makes my heart sing and soar when we play.
I can love both instruments. For there is room in my heart for every kind of music.
