In the past couple of weeks, still being in lockdown, this question came across my mind, more than often. Not only has it been something that I thought of regarding my own time I invest in the development of my craft and skill, but also the time that my students spend practicing.
Why even bother to practice or play an instrument?
This might seem like a bit of a negative swing on things, pun intended, but not being able to perform live or in any public setting, why even bother to take up your instrument to practice or start playing or doing lessons? What is the use, really?
With these serious questions and thoughts running through my mind I wondered, “…maybe I should consider finishing that Law degree…”. The thought of even re-inventing myself and completely break away from music and all that it represents, also lingered in my mind. To be honest it still does, more than I like to admit. So why do we keep on doing what we do? Every industry has been affected by this epidemic. Personally I am of opinion that the arts and entertainment sector, more damaging than most. To add on to that, even before the epidemic, most of society labeled a person that makes a living through music, as a type of an outcast, someone that does not have a real job! Well, unless you are a world famous multi platinum selling artist you are not really an effective contributor to society!
So why would anyone even consider to take up an instrument to learn to play or even keep up with the practice routine, striving to get better? The answer that I believe to be the most fitting, is that one should not do it to please others. It should not be done to achieve fame or even to receive praises from others, for you will be let down. One should do it and keep on doing it to satisfy the inherent need, that is placed inside all of us… In this case, to play an instrument and to get as good as you possibly can with the talent that God gave each of us.
There are so few things in life that can actually satisfy ones soul! I firmly believe that to play an instrument and to do it well, is most certainly one of them. Having the gift to be able to play an instrument and being good at is, something that can not be left unattended and underdeveloped. It is owed, not only to ourselves as individuals, but also to society, to bring to light the creativeness and pleasure of music, both listening to it and seeing individuals being excellent in their craft.
Music, or being a musician might not be seen or perceived as important as most other things, I personally believe it should. But if you remove it from society, the world will be left with a hunger that is deeply seeded in the souls of every human on the planet. Music transcends every border and it’s the one medium that every person on the planet can relate to and enjoy. It heals, it speaks, it excites, it comforts and it brings across emotions and feelings, when words fail and so much more.
So yes, maybe it does not carry as much value as it should, in my opinion, but that should not be reason enough to abandon ones love for it and the gift to be able to do it well.
Keep on playing, get better, get some lessons done, but most of all enjoy the gift that is music…
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” -Bible