In my head, “music” is a lot like LEGO sets. All of us parents have stood in Target in the LEGO aisle and just marveled at how many options are stacked on the shelf. Music has just as many options and they’re themed, like sets of Legos. Should I play guitar, piano, sax or xylophone? Should I study classical, pop, jazz or contemporary pieces? Should I learn to read standard notation or should I just learn all the chords and how to improvise?
Here's the thing, though: music, like LEGOs, all works together. In the end, you can mix and match your experiences from any of it to create new things and to enhance your understanding of “old” things. I can open up three themed sets of Legos (let’s say LEGO Star Wars, LEGO City and LEGO Classic), dump them in a bucket together and proceed to build something creative and new with the mish mash of various parts. In music, the same thing happens when I fill my music brain with knowledge and skills from different instruments and genres…it all works together to create new things and enhance my understanding and mastery of “old” things.
January and February, to a music teacher, are a wonderful opportunity to try new “LEGO” sets. Without the pressure of performance looming, we can explore freely (and soak up the joy) of discovering new facets to our music life that will greatly enhance our musicianship. Try a song in a new genre… try a new instrument… learn the chromatic scale or jazz chords just for fun… learn to play something by ear…learn how to read alto clef… blow through one entire theory book in a few weeks… learn how to read a lead sheet. There are many, many side hustles to the mainstream “piano lessons” (or other defined paths of study) for us to explore.
If your child is shy, please talk to them about what they would LOVE to do in their music lessons and help them talk to their teacher. By March, we will all be starting to focus on our end-of-year performances and beginning to prepare for these (also a valuable part of the music cycle).
Take advantage of the ebb and flow of the music year and try a new LEGO set this month.
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