This is an open letter to all readers who have children at home or, who can still contact their inner child. Embrace music and the act of studying music. Encourage your child or inner child to find an instrument of interest and then learn how to play it. If it is your child that expresses a desire to join band, choir, orchestra, or study a solo instrument such as harp, bagpipes, or the piano, actively listen to the school music instructor, who should be a good barometer of assessment regarding which instrument would best suit your student and give your child the greatest chance for success and personal achievement. Resist the urge to insist that Uncle Joe's old 'whatever' instrument, lurking in your attic, garage or basement would be the best instrument for your child to play. Of course, listen to your child's 'request', but, only to a point. The instrument your child is insisting on playing may not match skill levels or physical characteristics needed for success. Often, the instrument that 'all the other kids are playing' is not the right choice for that very reason........everybody else wants to play it. Many times, the best musical experience comes from playing the 'oddball' instrument (oddball to parents only) because not very many, if any, other students want to play that instrument.
If your inner child wants to learn to play an instrument, or reacquaint yourself with your instrument from younger days, GO FOR IT! It is never too late to acquire a new musical skill, dust off an old one, or sing in a choir for the first time. Last night I had the pleasure of watching adults , whose vocations have nothing to do with music, thoroughly enjoying themselves while singing. Then I had the pleasure of watching and listening to a pianist whose avocation and vocation is music performance. Her years of training and the legacy of piano teachers was displayed in her skill, musicality, stage presence, and technique. Although the piece was ultra-physically demanding, there were many moments when the audience could also see that the performer was truly enjoying herself, which engaged the audience even further with the artist.
My final entreaty to all who will read this posting: Sing today, sit down at your piano - even if just for a few, stolen moments, pull out your long-forgotten instrument that you once derived pleasure from playing, or be even more selfish and actually listen to a recording that brings you joi de vivre. Let music help assuage and massage your way through this hectic holly-daze
that we find ourselves in.
Take a deep breath......one day and one step at a time.
Ancora imparo
