Music Lessons, Life Lessons

Someone asked me recently, "If money were no object, how would you spend your time?" And the answer is that I would teach music lessons, which is something I am already fortunate enough to be doing in my spare time.

In a world where science, mathematics and engineering and other "practical" subjects are so heavily emphasized, learning to play in instrument might seem like a frivolous waste. But by choosing to become active participants in creating music rather than just remaining passive listeners, we can learn valuable lessons that apply to life both inside and outside the practice room.

PASSION
Have you ever been shopping or driving down the road and heard a song that reminded you of a happy childhood memory? Music is the language of the heart, and it can pierce our souls in a way that no other medium can. Some of my students already recognize the power of music and realize that playing is its own reward. For those that don't, my goal is to introduce them to songs that align with their interests and guide their development until they can begin to experience the inherent joy of making music. I recognize that not everyone is going to become a concert pianist or rock star or even a lifelong music hobbyist, but I do want to give my students the best possible opportunity to discover what making music can truly offer them. My passion for music was the fuel that helped me overcome every obstacle I encountered as I was learning to play, and I want my students to discover for themselves that when they are pursuing something they are passionate about they can joyfully accomplish anything they set out to do.

PERSONAL GROWTH
Learning to play an instrument at any age can help students explore new possibilities and open up new ways of thinking and being. It can provide a never-ending source of knowledge expansion, and the work ethic required to learn to play an instrument provides an effective model for accomplishing other difficult tasks in life.

PERSISTENCE
I often talk to adults who wish they had learned to play an instrument as a child or who wish they had more time to learn now. My response is always the same: it only takes fifteen minutes a day. Progress is the inevitable byproduct of consistent practice, and when combined with passion and expert guidance it's an unbeatable formula for success. This same principle can be applied to learning languages, art, mathematics, religion, sports, science or any other discipline in which a student wants to become proficient. Spend fifteen minutes a day learning something new and you'll be amazed how far it can take you.

PERSEVERANCE
Much of the work I do in my music studio involves helping students defeat mental blocks that are keeping them from achieving their goals. Having traveled the difficult path that they are just beginning, it is easy for me to see where they are going and the effort it will take to get there. When they look up and are overwhelmed by the steepness and difficulty of the climb ahead, I encourage them to simply stay focused on what they are learning right now and take it one step at a time. There is no better way to convince others that they can succeed than by presenting them with increasingly difficult right-sized tasks that they are able to accomplish day after day and week after week. This principle translates directly to academic, business and personal endeavors. The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

PAYING IT FORWARD
Amateur and professional musicians alike can help make the world a better place by creating something worthwhile and sharing it with audiences large and small. They can inspire and teach and connect. They can help create meaning by providing the soundtrack to the chaotic cinema of our lives. They can help relieve the pressures of life. They can move us to laughter and tears and remind us what it means to be human. They can give us hope and light and help us better understand the darkness in and around us. In this way musicians can "pay it forward" in a way that is completely unique, and through music they can learn to recognize the importance of paying it forward in everything they do.