Part-Time Musicians Are All Around You

I was talking with some “work friends” earlier this week and the topic somehow swerved into music. Imagine my surprise when I learned that one’s wife was a happy and talented PTM (Part-Time Musician) bassist, and another had played lead guitar in a band several years back and still kept his hand in the music whenever he could fit it in. It got me to thinking: just how many of us are out there?

Turns out quite a few. This article about comedian/actor Paul Reiser sheds light on his PTM-ness and makes me smile every time I think about it. One of my favorite points he makes is this:

Q: What made you want to explore music the last few years?

A: Having started with music before comedy I always just thought I would get back to it. Part of the reason I was able to get into stand-up comedy is there was a structure in place – you go to this club and there’s this hierarchy and so on. But with music I realized I wanted to just give myself the freedom to take any structural demands out of the equation. So if I came up with a little melody my brain would go, “Well what is it? Is it a song, is it a symphony, is it a string quartet?” And I thought maybe it’s just a seven-second music cue, just let it be what it wants to be.

Most of us were exposed to making music as children, in one fashion or another. Many of us played an instrument or sang in school. Some came to music later as a form of self-expression, a release, or just something fun to do. Regardless of how any of us got there, we all hear the music and want to share it with others…even if it’s just the family pet. :-)

Don’t be shy! Sing, play, listen, and experience your music – whether a symphony or a seven-second riff – knowing you’re not alone. And don’t be surprised who you learn shares your playing addiction. They’re everywhere…