If Music Be the Food You Love, Play On!
With fall already upon us, many students are already feeling the fatigue of a new school year. It’s definitely a difficult task to juggle music with homework, friends, and other extracurricular activities, so how can we make music an important yet enjoyable experience?
Practicing an instrument is often seen as “boring” or “not fun.” In the past week alone, how many times have you or your child complained about practicing? If the answer is “too many to count,” don’t worry – you are not alone! Practicing can be seen as tedious, monotonous, and sometimes just downright tiring, especially if you don’t know what you’re practicing. Every piece tells a story, just like your favorite book or TV show. When you practice, listen to the music that you are producing – how does it make you feel? Does the piece sound happy, sad, angry? Does it sound like it could belong in a scary movie? How can we change the sounds of a piece to make it sound different? Even the most basic emotions can be the beginning of a great musical story. I encourage you to make up a story to the pieces you play, and I can guarantee you that practicing will become slightly more enjoyable!
Eric Young, B.A.,
Piano Instructor