Philosophy

 

The joy we experience when we make a pleasing sound on our instrument! – The frustration of having to go over and over a passage to get it to feel and sound like the actual song… these things NEVER really change! They are part of the learning cycle. No matter how far we’ve come – how many chords, scales, licks we’ve mastered or songs we’ve memorized. .. My next musical challenge will be just as hard as yours will be for you.  Sometimes it’s frustrating then ultimately satisfying and fulfilling. We get used to this pattern as it continues every step along the way.  We are all on the same path … we just start our journey at different times. That’s why I see beginners and experienced players all as equals.  We’ve worked hard to learn some things, but none of us will ever know it all.  This fact certainly levels the “playing” field!

“No small thing to note, he is a great guy and makes learning more fun.”

My philosophy is that learning music should be fun from the beginning and approached with a relaxed, free-flowing attitude.  If music learning is fun for you, then you should do it. Getting “good” or constantly measuring your progress to ensure you’re getting “good” can take some of that fun away. I help my students experience the joy of music, then together we continue to keep it fun and meaningful!  Why do you think they call it “playing” music”? So don’t stress over progress, it comes and goes.

The “flow” is most important!  Just as you can only steer or control a vehicle once it is in motion, we can only control and refine our tone and technique when things are in motion and flowing. Being overly-careful can actually hinder the “flow”… it’s OK to make mistakes!

The study of music is definitely about the “journey” and not the “destination”. Ultimately how accomplished we become is not nearly as important as the enjoyment and self-fulfillment experienced along the way.  I see beginners and experienced players all as equal.  We’ve all worked at music enough to learn some things, but none of us will ever know it all.  This fact certainly levels the “playing” field!

You do not have to be able to read to play and enjoy music! There’s lot’s to know, but the good news is that you don’t need to know all that much to make some great music. Keep it fun and you will be fine.

We also can’t expect to learn a new song or piece each lesson. The absolute best way to learn is incrementally by slowly absorbing the nuance of each, technique, chord progression or lick, and finally exhausting it.  When we’re in a hurry to learn to play, we can miss the joy of playing itself. Trying to take on and incorporate too many things at a time can be difficult and much more frustrating than the organic, lengthy, time-tested method.

The big part of a lesson is getting to experience and play music in a relaxed environment with someone who cares about your progress. Someone who knows just where you are and where you’re headed… and is always on the scout for the next thing you need to understand (or do) to reach your goals.