The first draft of this blog was drawn up on February 26:
Today is my 60th birthday.
I am typing this blog from the town of Saxapahaw, North Carolina. It’s 21 degrees celsius, the sun is shining, I’m with one of my dear Music for People friends, Alison, who is warming up on the piano for a show this evening. We have more music friends joining us later this week for an extended improv jam by the Haw River.
I feel a deep sense of contentment.
I am healthy, surrounded by love and friendship, and doing what I love.
I have come to a place in my musical life where I am excited to explore, play, practice, grow, and learn.
More than anything else, I want to share with you the joy of a musical life.
What does that mean?
Despite what I perceive as the democratization of music through online platforms, there is still a prevailing attitude of all or nothing
With this prevailing attitude, we miss the whole point of music making.
I am writing this to ALL musicians including: those in their third stage of life just starting to learn to sing or play an instrument; middle age individuals and parents who are finally finding the time to return to the musical aspirations they once had to set aside; those of you who chose a career path other than musical performance; those who never completed grade 8 conservatory or who had to quit the band; music teachers who have little time for their own music; music therapists and practitioners in need of musical self care; teens and adults for whom music is only one of a number of interests; and, all of you who always wanted to play or sing but…
I am writing to you.
Please do not stop your quest to play music!
It’s ok to not be a virtuoso.
It’s ok if you don’t get to perform on a big stage. It’s ok that you do not have a career in performance.
Think of all that you DO GET from playing music:
You acquire a whole other level of appreciation for what great artists do.
You gain a deeper understanding of how music works.
You get to connect with other music lovers.
You get to create, make music, and be in the company of others who love to make it
You get to reap all the physical, mental, emotional and social benefits that musical practice brings.
You experience joy and collective effervescence.
You offer yourself the gift of musical self care and connection.
You won’t regret it.
The only thing you risk regretting is NOT playing music.
Go ahead - pick up your guitar, go to the piano, drum and/or sing.
Get in touch with others and join a community, band, or choir.
