One of the things that I find most inspiring about professional musicians is their ability to keep practicing every single day. Despite however they’re feeling about the day, they press on and practice.
There are so many days when I’ve just felt awful about myself and my abilities to play. I wonder why I’m even trying; I don’t plan on being a professional musician.
Yet, I practice.
I love the feeling of the music under my fingers; they express all I cannot say. I’ve always said that my fingers have a more direct connection to my soul, and it is through practice that I can share my soul with the world.
But why share that?
Empathy. It’s what makes us feel for each other. It assures us that we are not alone. Isn’t that a message we love to hear, one we desperately need to hear?
Even though I can’t always press on through the hard days, someone does, and that heartens me. It is my goal to get to that level of dedication, one that is less than selfish. By practicing their craft, musicians (professional or not), share their souls, and that may be one of the least selfish acts. They assure their listeners that they, as the performer, have been through the same toils as all who are human, and it is that message that keeps us going.
We could argue about what music is, what makes it magical, or what makes it effective, but at the end of the day, it is the sharing of the soul that I look for in music. It is something uniquely human I strive to hear.
This post is in an attempt to inspire me on a day when I feel like I can’t or shouldn’t practice. It’s a day that makes me feel like I gave up long ago. If I want to make the world a better place, I should buckle down and practice.
We all should.
Hi, I’m Amy!
I’m a PhD studying Music Theory & Cognition at Northwestern University in Chicago.
I love teaching, which is why you’ll find me teaching music theory on social media (@girlinbluemusic).
Music is something I believe everyone should have the chance to learn, so I’m doing everything I can to support affordable music education around the world.
In addition to all of this, I also love exploring Chicago, boxing, rock climbing, and just enjoying life. That’s an important part of being a musician too!
Even if you don’t purchase anything from me, I hope you got at least one big takeaway from this platform: the music you want to make is already in you.
You just need some help getting it out of you!
No matter what you choose to do, I’m here to help you become the best musician you can be!