With his math homework in one hand and an energy drink in the other, Joseph Dagle can be clearly perceived as a very busy young man, most especially in the world of academia.
Throughout his high school career here at South High, he’s been incredibly ambitious. When he graduates this year, he’ll have taken a total of 8 Advanced Placement classes.
This year, Joseph has decided to challenge himself with rigorous classes like AP Physics, AP Calculus BC, and Dual Enrollment English 101. However, Joseph’s senior year came with a new and different kind of challenge: he learned how to play guitar.
As a fellow instrumentalist myself, having played the euphonium for nearly 7 years, I was immediately excited (and impressed) to see that a fellow classmate and friend had so quickly kindled a fiery passion for music.
Below, you will find the interview I conducted with Joseph, which covers the incredibly motivating story of his passion in music, as well as a few bits of advice for anyone that’s following a similar path.
Throughout your life, how many instruments have you played? Which ones, and when? Did you enjoy them?
Up until senior year, I strolled through life unexposed to the creative treasures musical instruments have the ability to create. Despite yearning to play instruments— violin, piano, guitar— my parents never had the adequate funds to buy me equipment or bring me to music classes to foster my curiosity. Due to this, my motivation for music slowly dwindled. My once prospering dream to play an instrument became nothing but a thought in the wind. Upon enrollment at South high, nothing changed; I remained isolated from music despite the countless opportunities at my disposal.
When did you start playing guitar? How did you decide to start? Was there an influence?
In March of my Junior year, I had been called down by guidance to decide my schedule for the following year. Due to taking no art classes throughout high school, I had to decide on a course to take for the entirety of senior year. Since I’ve never been fond of drawing and painting, I decided to take guitar (with no real recollection of my childhood dreams in mind). While I initially took the class in hopes of an easy A, my perspective was flipflopped immediately. By the end of the first class, my fingers were calloused, aching from continuous picking of metal strings; yet, I couldn’t shake this feeling of exhilaration— a feeling that screamed “Where have you been all my life?”
As a senior, do you have any regrets in starting music later in your high school career? If you could do it over again, would you have started sooner?
I hold deep regret when it comes to starting music later in my high school career. By sheltering myself away from a past dream of mine, I hindered my ability to explore forms of self expression that have helped me convey emotions I previously had trouble understanding. If I could start over again, I would’ve taken the leap of faith— even if my inexperience and unease screamed at me to turn the other way. While I still struggle to overcome these urges, performing has helped me step out of my comfort zone. A prime example would be my first guitar performance at Birchtree Bread. After prolonging the inevitable due to the fear of uncertainty, I finally decided to go up and play. The song of choice was Jingle Bells, perfect for the time of year we were approaching. While my concentration collapsed upon the audience singing along to the melody, I believe this experience taught me the importance of overcoming fear.
Instead of letting it hold me back— instead of letting the overwhelming thoughts hold me captive— I overcame what seemed impossible in the moment, gaining an incredible experience in the process.
Do you have any musical artists, albums, or songs that inspire you?
An artist that has pushed me further down the path of music is Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was a German composer and musician who redefined what it meant to be a musician, developing a plethora of classical music pieces that many deem as “perfect.” He wholeheartedly believed that composure of music was meant for the glory of God, leading him to pour his heart and soul into his music. After learning this from South High’s guitar teacher Mr. Gay, I took it upon myself to learn this challenging piece. Despite playing guitar for roughly 6 weeks at this point, I committed to the struggle while immersing myself in music filled with refreshing love, and loyalty.
Through immersing myself in ambivalent tones— joy, sadness, awe— I’ve garnered a better understanding when it comes to emotional (and self) expression in the form of music.
At this point in the school year, you’ve had multiple performances. How do you manage stage fright?
Stage fright is a tricky concept to manage, as it’s something that never truly goes away. The anxious feeling of butterflies in my stomach, my trembling hands as I hold my pick intensely, my wavering eyes in the face of the crowd. The feeling never goes away; rather, it functions precisely like public speaking. You may be nervous on your first performance, yes, but that feeling dampens overtime. The feeling of anxiety that comes from performing becomes a tool you can use to amplify your playing.
How would you describe the feeling of playing music for an audience?
The feeling of playing music for an audience can only be described as an amplified version of a school presentation. Initially, there’s anxiety— your hands shake, your eyes waver, and your thoughts race in and out of your head; however, once you start playing, everything around you fades to white. The crowd dissipates as you further your consciousness and focus between you and the music. In those few short moments, it feels like you’re playing more than notes: you’re expressing something words could never express. Even if things don’t go perfectly, the experience you gain from performing is unforgettable. Through public performance, you end up sharing a piece of yourself to the audience they never knew existed.
What are your future plans in terms of college and a career? Will music be a part of that? How so?
Something that has defined me for the better part of a year has been my book. It’s grown into a living reflection of me, giving life to a plethora of ideas I’ll use in my future endeavors.
One of these is creating my very own videogame (with the help of a friend going into computer software engineering) to bring this book to life. Like any good videogame, you need a good OST (original sound track). By mastering guitar throughout my journey in life, I plan on creating an invigorating soundtrack that’ll prove as a testament to my ability to perform. I hope to master other instruments (violin, piano, saxophone) that’ll continue to enhance my music journey throughout the remainder of my life.
Do you have any advice for someone that wants to play a new instrument, but doesn’t know how?
Take the leap of faith. Playing an instrument is like riding a bike— you may start off struggling, but with consistent practice, it’ll eventually become second nature.
Avoiding music because of fear of inexperience or embarrassment only gives fear power over your life. Whether you’re at South High, Doherty, homeschooled, or a post-high school graduate, opportunities to explore music are constantly at your disposal. Music has always been a way of bringing people together, allowing anyone the chance to participate.
So, I strongly encourage you to give music a try. Go to a piano or guitar class, experiment with home-made instruments, or pick up something that peaks your interest.. All it takes to start is stepping outside your comfort zone.
