It all began with my two best friends, Matei and Dudu. Matei plays guitar, Dudu plays drums, and together they made music seem like the most exciting thing in the world. One day, they looked at me and said, “You should buy a bass so we can jam together.” I laughed. Me? Playing music? I had no idea where to even start.

But something about the way they believed in me made me say yes. I trusted them. So, I bought a bass guitar.

At first, everything felt awkward. The strings, the notes, the rhythm — it was all so unfamiliar. But they didn’t let me give up. They showed me the basics, over and over, until my fingers started to remember on their own. And then… we played our first song together: Where Is My Mind by Pixies.

Me Matei and Dudu during an rehearsal. Image: Picture made by me.

It wasn’t perfect. But when we hit that final note and realized we made it through the whole song, I felt something I’d never felt before — pure happiness, pride, and this strange but beautiful connection to the music.

We started with Nirvana songs — Smells Like Teen Spirit, Drain You — songs that were simple enough for beginners, but filled with raw energy. Every time we played, the excitement in the room was electric. Slowly, we dared to challenge ourselves with more complex songs from Metallica — Orion, Nothing Else Matters. The more we learned, the deeper I fell in love with playing.

Somewhere along the way, my bass guitar stopped being just an object. It became a part of me. It holds the memories of late-night jam sessions, countless mistakes, unstoppable laughter, and those rare, perfect moments when everything clicks, and you feel… free.

My bass guitar. Image: Me.

Looking back, I realize music gave me more than a hobby. It gave me confidence, joy, and a new way to express who I am. I believe everyone should pick up an instrument at least once in their life. It unlocks emotions, creativity, and a part of yourself you might never discover otherwise.