We all take up music for different reasons, but I’m confident that at the heart of them all is NOT the idea that music is work. How much more could we accomplish if we just allowed ourselves to have some fun?!?
I ran across a video a few days ago that demonstrated beautifully the impact that fun has on us as human beings. We’ve discussed this on several occasions (see Five Secrets to Rapid Improvement in Your Playing for a favorite example) but a picture is worth a thousand words…and moving pictures significantly more. 8-) Check it out!
The best thing about this video from the perspective of a Part-Time Musician (PTM) may be that it holds the key to getting the most from our shared obsession. No one would argue that taking the stairs involves less effort than riding the escalator up to the surface, yet people chose to take the stairs. Why? Because it was fun. Even with more work involved, it was fun!
Studying an instrument takes effort, and there are days we all consider quitting. It takes time, it takes work. Yet it can be an incredible amount of fun if we allow ourselves to make it so. Practice, yes…drill, yes…strive, yes! But don’t forget to have fun with it, too. You may be surprised at the improvements you see.
The response to yesterday’s article was amazing, and the feedback mirrored my own thoughts and feelings. There are those who overcome so much to play their music…and by comparison, very little stands in our way.
If yesterday’s amazing demonstration didn’t jar you into action on your instrument, perhaps this one will. PTM reader Dan Kieffer turned me onto the story of Patrick Henry Hughes, a talented and inspiring young man who has just become my hero. He and his family exemplify the values of music, love, family tragedy and triumph, and everything else that we all talk about at length, but so seldom demonstrate with any conviction. The video tells it best.
To Patrick and his family: thank you for all you do. Without even trying or intending to do so, you are an inspiration. Play on!
This article by Dr. Maoshing Ni was forwarded to me by Chicago fiddler Chris Marshall (thanks, Chris!). While it mentions many things you can do to maintain or improve your brain functions, the excerpt below is sure to catch your eye as it did Chris’s and mine.
“Many people marvel that Asian children seem so intelligent. It could be because they use their fingers more frequently. They eat with chopsticks and at one time, they used to compute with an abacus in school. In fact, some studies have been done with children who use an abacus daily, and findings show that engaging the fingers stimulates nerve endings that go directly to the brain, increasing circulation. Take advantage of this by practicing motor activities that use your fingertips, like crocheting, knitting, and other arts and crafts where you are manipulating small parts. Try playing the piano or a stringed instrument.”
Somewhat depressingly, Dr. Mao indicates that the human brain starts to decline at a mere 30 years of age. The good news? There are ways to stay sharp, and playing music is one of them…so play on!
All the best,
Mark
Related articles can be found here. Please feel free to leave a comment; we’d love to hear from you!
General, Inspiration, Learning | Mark October 30, 2009 | 
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