Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Making Music Memorably in the Midst of your Music Lesson

It has happened more than once, more than twice, more than three times, more than.... It is that moment in a music lesson where the student and teacher have made music memorably. And I have experienced it with this year's summer students more than any other season over the past 3 years. This is the kind of music-making that is 100% playing and/or singing in the present moment; all the while losing the perfectionistic box of rules. Rules that are displayed on the score so that we all speak the same language, but cannot be the primary motivation for making those notes come to life. It is only the real live musician who can translate what they see to what they play or sing. And it is the real live musician who makes art; art that transcends the page!

As the summer session comes to a close this week, I wanted to take some time to reflect on what happened, who made it happen, why it was so special, when will it happen again:

What happened? 
Students showed up to their lessons having practiced their music at home during the week. They were ready to show off their work! Supportive parents drove them to their lesson and praised the good work their son or daughter had accomplished during the week. Students were then able to make music memorably.

Who made it happen?
Real live musicians!

Why was it so special?
Sometimes in the midst of teaching lots and lots of students, particularly beginner students, the musical pendulum swings more toward the rules. However, this summer that pendulum swung more to the magic of music-making.

When will it happen again?
I have been a music teacher for 36 years so I know about what happens when the new school year begins. The curricular and extra-curricular activities add competing interests to a student's schedule. But remember what I said about making music memorably? It will be my challenge for each of my students: 1) Remember what you accomplished.  2) Make a new musical memory at each lesson.
3) Find the magic in your art, the only art that is uniquely made by YOU!

New students: Contact me for more information about the year ahead! Fall Session begins 9/6/2016.
610-608-7194
eeschutz@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/EstherSchutzPianoStudio/