Latest / Dits & Dahs / teach yourself what you already know and learn something new
Transcript
- Sue: In my life as a musician, I've always had facility with playing two instruments at a level that is professional, meaning I'm well versed to participate in almost any level of music performances that are thrown at me, but that, you know, rightfully so, the opportunities aren't just like given to you. But the competency level is what I'm talking about today. And in my life it was introduced to me as a child, so it's become a regular routine or a common area for me to spend my life is playing at least two instruments. And I'm speaking most specifically right now about the ability to maybe learn a second language or to learn a skill that is potentially gonna equal your income producing skill that you have now. And this morning I'm thinking about the headspace that I'm in when I'm training myself how to play another musical instrument because we have within Western musical instruments we've got several families. You know, this would be your woodwinds, brass, percussions, strings, voices. And just because you can play one instrument doesn't make it a given that you can all just sidle over to another instrument and slot yourself right in at the same level of competency as the first. It takes training. Not everybody can achieve equal professional competency on those instruments either. There are plenty of us who made a living, in my case, playing oboe and English horn at times in my life. But it doesn't guarantee that me as a violinist is going to be the same. The fact that I have piano organ skills that are equal level to me being an oboist professionally is from such a s early age that it was already sort of ⁓ built into my life in terms of its routine. You know, I didn't have the perspective as a child whether or not it was something I was gonna do professionally. In in most cases people will have told me I would have had to make a choice between the two. And you begin to understand then that while some of these advisors are and mentors are very important in the decision making process of the specialty that you're studying with that mentor, it doesn't mean that they're right in offering that kind of advice to say it's one or the other. And so you get into this kind of programming of are you with us or against us? Are you an oboist or a jazz piano? So then there gets the point in your life where you recognize that the process of learning that second instrument is a pr is really enjoyable because by now you've succeeded in the first instrument. And I'll say if you if you start a first instrument, you're also probably learning how to read music as well. So you've got another obstacle sort of in front of you or s that you must master before you can get to the place where you're learning that instrument has any value. So now you know that since you've gotten a level of proficiency with teaching yourself the first instrument, and in my case, you know, I did that with a second instrument already. So, you know, getting on to the third potential new interest of learning is gonna be smooth sailing because I've already taught myself how to read music. I've already taught myself the process of what it is to Teach myself an instrument. It doesn't really matter what the instrument is, so I can now focus on those features of whatever that instrument is so that I can only energize my learning process in those areas. And then it becomes a much more efficient process. It's what music educators have to go through. before they get their teaching certificates. You have to have some basic level of competency. You have to be able to help that way. And then realistically gets to a place where the teachers have to say, ⁓ yeah, yeah, I can play percussion, but I'm not a percussionist. So at least in terms of a a musician You have this sort of a level of competency on a variety of instruments, none of which you would necessarily be able to take a gig and play professionally. Some of my friends do, and they're just geniuses as far as that stuff goes. I value them highly. But for the rest of us that have to go through the sort of one by one process of adding instruments into our repertoire, it's a mindset that I think is useful to learn and to utilize in other areas in life. Subtle layers, I think, of understanding better what it is that engages your mind. And in my case, I love learning new skills and musical instruments just as a ⁓ my gateway to more knowledge, more competency or perceived competency. But I started thinking about this topic today because sometimes I see and know of friends who do have this competency level of being able to play multiple instruments on stage at one time. And I'm not just talking woodwind doubles or, you know, string guitar or keyboard doubles. I mean, that is certainly impressive and I value that as well. I'm talking about someone who can let's say you have a small group of four or five musicians. So you got a drummer, you got a bassist, a guitarist maybe, keyboardist and a reed player. And then during the course of the gig, all five musicians rotate to another seat. And if you've ever experienced it and you listen to them play the same song, or maybe they switch during the course of the song, and then you recognize that the music sounds the same no matter who's behind playing what instrument. That revelation to me is an amazing mindset. to achieve is that awareness within self of how to make the best use of who you are, your tools, your physical, your mind, body and spirit, to align everything so that only the instrument changes, but the musical performance, the way it gets executed, all of that. remains at the same level of proficiency and and execution. That's more commonly, I would imagine, like a ⁓ someone who draws and paints uses their hand to illustrate in whatever way, a canvas or paper. You know, the specialty of watercolor and oil painting and charcoals and all of that are such that not every creative artist of those materials are equally proficient, are they? Few stand out. And then you recognize the amount of engagement they have had during the course of their life to achieve that. And that's inspiring to me. And it's not a competition. It's just the awareness of understanding of what everyone who is solid in their mind, body, and spirit has ahead of them for their potential to self actualize. And how difficult When people are trying to energetically project negative ideas and thoughts towards you as an obstacle, it can be to actually achieve that. We've all seen people online or seen performances of people and were blown away because they can, in the course of a performance, pick up six or seven instruments and make it very beautiful to watch and seemingly easy to do. And that's the key. It is one of the most difficult things to do. But when you look at that kind of talent, you've got inspiring thoughts at hand. Because while at that moment it may not seem as though we are equal, we are. How bad do you want it? Now, this is where the yes no decisions come in. There are no shortcuts to this, but you may have some inherent gifts of which you were unaware that you can make best use of to achieve this vision of a learning a new instrument. You don't need to make a diabolic deal to do so. That's what these talented musicians show me. And yeah, you're probably right. I might be surprised to learn that they did make a diabolic deal. That said, I don't do such things, and the proficiency that I have with both instruments, including the ability to improvise, which is not something all musicians have developed, is all organic. It's what we all have. Am I widely known for my talents? No, don't need to be. But it comes from a pure place, and that's what's important. And I will posit this. People who have done so and great music careers, if there's if there are such things as both, then they're creating a huge smoke screen to cover the light. or at least attempt to, of those that are organically creating their own inspired engagement. Like me. Stick around me long enough the smoke will clear. And in the meantime, make your own kind of music. Do what you do that puts a smile on your face. Whatever it is. In fact you can just generically substitute music for whatever that thing is. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror today, flashed your smile with your glint in your eye? Should do that, if you haven't. And do it as much as you feel free to do so. When you see yourself in the mirror, that's what the world sees. So flash yeah, smile. Have a giggle. Thanks for listening. I appreciate you.