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The most MIND-BLOWING thing about the instrument learning journey is how CLOSE the music is to you at every step
Meaning, even in the simplest beginner songs, you have access to the same emotional frequencies present in the highly complex works
Their essence is transmitted down
Meaning, even in the simplest beginner songs, you have access to the same emotional frequencies present in the highly complex works
Their essence is transmitted down
There seems to be a default programming some of us have where we believe learning music is overly difficult
I believe this is because culturally (western) music has somewhat elitist origins; classical music originally reserved for only the highest echelons of society to enjoy
I believe this is because culturally (western) music has somewhat elitist origins; classical music originally reserved for only the highest echelons of society to enjoy
And so, our music education systems are built through this frame of excellence
We are trained to become concert musicians and perform for the royalty
The plague of excellence-based systems goes beyond music. @EricRWeinstein speaks eloquently of it here:
We are trained to become concert musicians and perform for the royalty
The plague of excellence-based systems goes beyond music. @EricRWeinstein speaks eloquently of it here:
As I'm writing this thread, I stumbled upon this awesome thread by @ethanhein which relates.
The ubiquitous push to turn people into Mozarts has insidious consequences. https://twitter.com/ethanhein/status/1335276000494628868?s=20
The ubiquitous push to turn people into Mozarts has insidious consequences. https://twitter.com/ethanhein/status/1335276000494628868?s=20
NOW, the concert musician track is certainly a beautiful and valuable one.
BUT, I would venture to say that not everyone who wants to learn the piano wants to become a concert pianist.
YET, this is how 90% of private piano lessons are delivered; this rush to become excellent
BUT, I would venture to say that not everyone who wants to learn the piano wants to become a concert pianist.
YET, this is how 90% of private piano lessons are delivered; this rush to become excellent
What if we shifted the root intention from EXCELLENCE, to the WHOLENESS and JOY of the student?
This is the method my genius teacher David Christie showed me in 2018, and it transformed my musical mindset
I write more about the story in my essay here: https://www.alexhermstad.com/blog/9u7bjs8h79n4ohekju7xq9nk5jj5he
This is the method my genius teacher David Christie showed me in 2018, and it transformed my musical mindset
I write more about the story in my essay here: https://www.alexhermstad.com/blog/9u7bjs8h79n4ohekju7xq9nk5jj5he
In this flipped model, the student never severs their emotional connection to the music
They are guiding their own journey; the TEACHER only present as a WAY-SHOWER. The STUDENT is the NAVIGATOR
And the truth is, they know best; far better than the rigidity of a "proven system"
They are guiding their own journey; the TEACHER only present as a WAY-SHOWER. The STUDENT is the NAVIGATOR
And the truth is, they know best; far better than the rigidity of a "proven system"
If you have any desire to start building a relationship with music, and you're on the fence, I say GO FOR IT!
You are entirely worthy and capable. No matter your age or background.
It doesn't have to be stressful or painful. In fact, it will be a tremendous act of self-love.
You are entirely worthy and capable. No matter your age or background.
It doesn't have to be stressful or painful. In fact, it will be a tremendous act of self-love.
