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 thrilled to find a female friend who plays guitar and sings! She and another girl friend decided to come to my house one evening with their guitars ready to jam together. Around 7pm the one guitarist arrived but still no sign of the lead guitarist. So, the two of us just chatted over coffee and biscuits catching up on the latest news and sharing thoughts on what we had read lately. The lead guitarist swept in fashionably on time an hour and a half later in her regal robes and shimmery dress. Both of my friends had brought sweets with them - brownie pudding and a traditional sweet "loqamat" (fried balls of dough drenched in a light syrup or honey). Now I brought out the tea and the three of us chatted some more as we passed around the delicacies. 

By about 10pm we were ready to start jamming. The lead guitarist pulled out her instrument and started to perform several songs that she had memorized. Most of them were in English, but then she broke out into an oldie in Arabic and tears came to my eyes. There is just something so beautiful about hearing an artist sing in their own tongue! Especially, when they are facing societal barriers from every angle and you know how much they have to fight to take up space. We took turns going around and playing tunes that we had been working on. Then, we pulled out a YouTube play-along video. My two friends led on guitar and I accompanied on piano. 

The first time through, each of us was mostly focused on the music and sang here and there as able. Playing through again, I started to hear our voices swell together in song, accompanied by the soft strumming and melodic keys. My heart melted with joy hearing such a sweet sound. Both my friends expressed how grateful they are to have a safe place to play music together and sing. My prayer for these gatherings is that each soul who joins would find safety to express their God-given creativity. May each one experience the love of the Creator who has given us the gift of music and respond accordingly!