Two Quick Ways to Sound Better, 
Feel Better

Originally published as Songdog Newsletter October 22, 2024: SUBSCRIBE TO GET IT!

Try not to have a good time . . . . this is supposed to be educational.

 

 

Music ain't for the faint of heart

 

Two of my students, completely independently of each other, in the last week, have laid claim to being my “worst student ever”.

 

*Sighs*

 

Think about it, from my point of view. . . .
If you’ve ever helped anyone, you probably have a similar perspective: I just don’t think in those terms. I help people learn music, always, no matter what, young or old, pre-skilled or unskilled. It matters not to me, I just help people.

 

It never occurs to me to list my students in some order of greatness or something. And I feel sadness knowing that those same individuals do that emotional violence to themselves. And let’s be clear that no good comes of this; self-judginess provides no data, no support, no benefit.

 

One goal I hold for myself professionally is to help people learn to do this kind of thing less, much less, how about never.

But people - we - I myself included - tend to be pretty hard on our selves when we evaluate our own work.

 

 

 

So please allow me to share two thoughts with you on this topic. Use them in your own practice.

FIRST OFF

Approach your learning the way a little kid does.
*All human beings are musical
*‘talent’ is not really a thing - at all
*kindness wins 
. . . . That was all one thought.


My favorite example of this is: Toddlers.

Toddlers are engaged in the long and arduous process of learning to walk.
They fall down a lot. But you never see a toddler hit the floor and go “Aw dang, you know I’m just no good at this walking thing, I don’t have any walking talent. I guess I’ll stop trying.”
Instead they laugh, pick themselves up, and try it again.
Okay, they might bonk and if so they’ll cry a bit. But it’s pretty easy to get them back to laughing, and trying again.

Be a toddler.

 

 

SECONDLY 
Here’s an exercise I want you to try: Please mess up

  1. Go grab your instrument.
  2. Play something, anything.
  3. Now, play it again and intentionally mess up some aspect of what you’re playing.
  4. Giggle.
  5. Do it again, maybe try messing up in some different way.
  6. Don’t forget to giggle.
  7. Then just go on about your usual playing routine. Notice any differences in your thoughts, emotions, your responses to what you’re playing.

 

I’m not saying what your results will be.
But you will experience: something.
And I want you to explore what that something might be and I want you to ponder what that may mean for your music praxis.

 

 

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Does that sound good? . . . . . Does it feel good? . . . . .

I have incorporated these ideas and many others like them in both my Online Courses and private Coaching. Click to learn more, or write me with any questions. 

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originally published as Songdog Newsletter, October 22, 2024  GET ALL OUR NEWSLETTERS!