There are as many stories of why a person becomes a Part-Time Musician (PTM) as there are PTMs. Very few of us will share every element of Maya’s story, but there is a lesson – and inspiration – for all.
Maya Shankar, Scientist
Young Maya Shankar played at a very high level, studying with Itzhak Perlman in preparation for a career as a professional violinist. In 2002, a sudden playing injury took the violin from her very talented studied hands and forced her to seek a new path. While music had been her primary focus to that point, she took the life lessons she had learned from studying music and applied them to great success elsewhere…eventually becoming a cognitive scientist. This article from our friends at Violinist.com provides the details.
Fast forward seven years. Oxford University PhD candidate Maya Shankar was invited to attend the Academy of Achievement Summit in Cape Town, South Africa. Two weeks later, she received a phone call. Since her biographical information included her history as a violinist, and since Joshua Bell was also to be honored at the Summit, the organizers asked if she would be willing to perform with Mr. Bell while there. What else could she do?
Careful to practice only 15 minutes a day to avoid reinjuring herself, Maya worked to polish her well-refined but long-dormant skills. The performance went beautifully, and she rediscovered the music that was still within her…and found more of an emotional connection with it than she had ever had before.
While it is unlikely in the extreme that Ms. Shankar will ever be able – or even desire – to play professionally, she has gained a great deal over the years from her music. We also can gain a great deal from her example:
Sometimes “the end of the world” is simply a strong push in a new direction. Go with it.
Sometimes, it isn’t even the end. Sometimes, you can go back…at least in some capacity.
You’re going to put in the time somewhere to get to any given skill level – no shortcuts. This can be viewed as a problem or a challenge laced with rich, periodic rewards.
The payoffs are always there. Sometimes they are small; sometimes they are large. But it is worth any time you may invest in yourself to learn/play your instrument.
I wish you all the best as you continue to grow in your music, in whatever way you can.
Keep playing,
Mark
For more information, including a wonderful video interview of Maya Shankar describing this experience, please see this article at FromTheTop.org. The video is only 5 1/2 minutes long, but it’s well worth the visit!
Several events and discussions over the past couple of days have reminded me of an essential truth: music is truly whole only when it is shared.
Music is a performing art
Unlike most visual arts, the aural arts are enjoyed while the artwork is being created. Of course there are are exceptions to both categories: the visual art of dance and the aural art component of composition spring to mind. We will discuss the impact of live vs. recorded events in a future article, but for the moment, let’s focus upon how the performance relates to the music itself.
For any newcomers to the Part-Time Musician “playing addiction”, there is nothing quite like a live performance – no matter how small or large the audience – to make you more fully appreciate your music and the impact it can have upon people’s lives. This is about you, of course; after all, you get to enjoy the benefits of your learning, growing, and playing on a daily basis! But when you share your music with others by playing for them, everyone is enriched. Those listening are transported to a world of your creating, and the gift you receive is wrapped in the giving itself. It’s hard to explain, but very real to experience.
Music is an inheritance
Last night, I visited the youth symphony for which I was, for four years, Director of String Ensembles. Watching and listening to the new Director and group, I was impressed with the talent and commitment evident in all involved. When you’re in the middle of the scramble, it can be easy to overlook that. It reminded me of how important it is to pass along your music and knowledge – whether very specific or wide-ranging, structured or just “felt” – to others.
There is an age-old struggle within most musicians, whether full- or part-time, regarding personal advancement vs. contributing to others’ advancement. This often translates to “play vs. teach” in the full-timer’s world, but it’s much more complex than that. Most musicians (or artists of any stripe, really) must strive and improve over time to be satisfied. Taking time to share what you know with others would seem to diminish that, but those who have done so know differently: sharing what you know deepens what you know. And if that isn’t enough, it challenges you to learn (and master) even more!
The Takeaway
As with most things in life, the key is balance. If you want to be the best musician you can be, be sure to incorporate opportunities to share your music and what you know about it. Music truly is a gift from which you gain most while giving.
All the best,
Mark
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With the Christmas season quickly approaching and gift-giving on everyone’s mind, here is something you might consider getting for the person on your list who seems to have everything. Thanks to David Carter for passing this along!
Cyber Conductor v1.0
Whatever else they may have, I guarantee you they don’t have one of these! Click on the video below for more information.
Keep playing,
Mark
DISCLAIMER: PartTimeMusician.is not affiliated with Aleksey Igudesman in any way. We just think he’s both talented and funny. Oh that we were also so burdened!
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Yesterday’s article was very positively received, and for good reason: it demonstrated that it’s possible to have fun building a fine stringed instrument…even if the resultant instrument doesn’t look all that fine.
This article – actually a wonderfully extensive series of articles – was briefly mentioned in the introduction to yesterday’s linked posting, and I wanted to share it as well. For those of you who have been bitten HARD by the lutherie bug and have moved far beyond the tinkerer stage into serious instrument building, this is for you. Even if you have no intentions of building your own exquisite cello, it makes for fascinating reading.
If you were to assign a dollar value to the hours it takes to build a nice instrument, you’d quickly decide that finished versions are relatively inexpensive to buy. This is due to many factors, such as well-trained (and superbly-skilled) craftsmen, dedicated workshops, and exchange rates (in some cases), among other things. But for some exceedingly creative musicians, the thrill of playing an instrument that they themselves made is so far beyond playing a purchased instrument that words just can’t capture the feeling. You know who you are.
Here at PTM, we’ve discussed homebuilt instruments ranging from gas can banjos to hand-made marimbas, and it’s all good. For those cellists among us who want to create their next instrument with their own loving hands…this one’s for you. Enjoy!
News | Mark November 17, 2009 | 
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