The Gift of Music
"I didn't want my parents to see me taking my guitar out of the house" or "I can't sing at home because my family will hear" are common phrases I hear when I talk with my friends here. Learning to play an instrument or sing is often more complicated than just making the decision to take classes. Many layers lie underneath the idea of music here. One common thought is that music of any kind is a distraction from God. Therefore, if someone wants to be a devout follower of God they would not be involved with such frivolous activity. Another, often shared sentiment is that a woman should be seen and not heard. So even conversation, laughter or any noise she may make should be soft and subtle. You can imagine that with that mentality a "proper woman" would never consider the idea of singing and learning to project her voice. The mere idea is scandalous and seen by some as exposing a woman's nakedness. With all that in the back of my mind, I was so ...