Yesterdays by J. Kern
Jacob E.
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As I become more familiar with the structure and harmony of the songs I play, I like to create new arrangements and re-harmonize them, sometimes straying pretty far away from the original version. Part of how I do this is by finding out what the song was written about and what feelings the song conveys, and then rearranging it to reflect how I'm feeling and what is going on around me. This particular song was written about feelings of nostalgia and a sense of loss for times gone by. Even though I am performing an instrumental version of this, the melancholic tone is still very prevalent. With every day seeming to bring more bad news, this song has resonated with me in new ways, and I have found new meaning in it. This has pushed me to experiment with tempo, inversions, substitutions, and new harmonic tensions as I delve deeper into the feelings that the song evokes. Despite the inherent melancholy that the song brings, it also offers an opportunity to reflect and remind us of the importance of gratitude in the moment.
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Creativity means being able to create something from nothing, and to turn your own feelings thoughts, environment, and ideas into art. To me, it means being able to express myself and connect with others through my music.