Music can be tricky.
Like most things in life, it requires a lot of attention, focus, and discipline. We at Vibe are constantly updating our curriculums and our approaches to help your students flourish as musicians. We celebrate success, but also understand that new challenges are always on the horizon. If you aren’t careful it’s easy to get bogged down by this cycle of short-lived victory only to be followed by another hurdle. We don’t use music to get through essential daily routines like we use math and reading skills. We don’t always see results like we do when we dedicate ourselves to the gym.
So, honestly, what’s even the point? Why do we put ourselves through so much work for no seemingly obvious reasons?
I could spout off the statistics about improved grades, higher critical thinking skills, you name it. But when we move out of the age of grades and standardized tests is where the benefits of music really start to show themselves.
Going Beyond the Music
Both of my parents were public music educators during my formative years, so playing was not an option for me. I griped and moaned about having to practice piano DAILY. My dad would even have to hold the kitchen timer because I would try to shave minutes off without him noticing. I knew I was good (at least I was told I was good) and I had plenty of support but MAN was I bored. I couldn’t connect with anything, it all seemed pointless because no WAY was I gonna do this for a job or anything.
However, I recall one day being VERY upset about something that had occurred in the household. Odds are that my sister had taken control of the GameCube from me or something along those lines, but I went to my father about it. He suggested that I just sit down at the keys and play for a while and I would feel better. Just work it out on the piano.
That’s when it all clicked for me. I did exactly that, and almost immediately I felt better. I started playing piano when I was upset all the time. I started playing piano when I was happy to express how happy I was. It was in those emotional moments that I realized that music is personal. We don’t dedicate ourselves to music for the results. We dedicate ourselves to EXPLORE ourselves. Music taught me how to love for no reason other than to feel love. It taught me how to make beauty out of my sadness. It taught me how to open up and be free.
Music and Relationships
It is so important for me as a player and as a teacher to explore personal relationships. When I teach your students, I’m asking them “how do you think this composer felt when they wrote this piece? Have you ever felt that way before? How did that impact who you are today?” Not only that, but I’m also sharing with them how these pieces made me feel, moments I’ve felt similarly, why I’ve changed from it. I’m trying to open my heart so they can open their hearts and grow into the secure, emotionally intelligent young folks that we’re all supposed to be. The music doesn’t happen in the notes and the rhythms, it happens when we use those tools to bare our souls.
Why do we make music? We can’t afford not to.
Playing music is a deeply meaningful experience that goes so far beyond the mere learning of a new skill. I hope that you are encouraged by that realization to pursue music for the growth and joy that it brings. Explore the wonderful gift of music today by signing up for lessons with one of our amazing instructors!
- Andy Greenwell, Music Instructor at Vibe Music Academy
