Playing Music for Others is the Greatest Gift

I'm continually surprised at the people I run across in the community who make a point of telling me how much they have enjoyed hearing my music.  It happens quite frequently this time of year because I've been "out" there a lot, performing special music during church worship services, presenting programs at holiday events, playing at private parties. People get quite specific about how a particular tune made them feel, or how the ambiance of the evening changed their mood. It's clear to me that music touches us deeply, and one never knows how far-reaching the effect might be.

One thing I have learned for sure. The opportunity to play music for others is a gift. It's not about me. It's not about the beautiful arrangements and carefully worked out medleys. It's not about a perfectly executed program. It's simply about the music. It's about the real-time energy that flows from me ... my heart, my mind, my soul ... through my hands, into the hammers, onto the strings, and through the air, creating an ocean of sound that washes over the listener, awakening him / her to a different way of being.

Let us all aspire to use that great Ocean of Sound to serve the way of understanding and love.

Make Your Practice REAL

I hear my students complain about how hard it is to maintain a decent level of enthusiasm for practicing. Here's an idea ... schedule a gig for yourself. It's a great way to make your practice more meaningful. It gives you a deadline and forces you to focus on getting it right.

If you're feeling shy, start by playing background music. One of my long-time dulcimer buddies refers to this as "potted plant" music. Believe me, playing in the background and playing on stage are two different experiences. Do yourself a favor. Take yourself out of the limelight. In some settings, the audience won't even know live music is being played. They'll think it's a cd!

What's that you say? Nobody's beating down the door with invitations for you to play? No worries! There are plenty of ways to make your own gigs.

• Play at a family gathering or neighborhood party.
• Play at church, nursing homes, the VA hospital, or your local Hospice facility.
• Present an Elder-Hostel program.
• Support your favorite non-profit organization by playing at a fundraising event.
• Play in the park or at your local farmers' market.
• Provide music during brunch or sign up for open mic at your favorite local cafe.
• You may be sick of politics, but political functions are great places to hone performance skills.

My first public appearance was at a fundraiser ... a contra dance sponsored by our local non-profit Education Foundation. Without much fanfare, I set up my dulcimer in the middle of the floor during "intermission".  I played a few tunes. I don't think many folks paid much attention. But Jim did. He happened to be assistant coach of my son's soccer team. As I was packing up he approached me and said, "I didn't know you played the hammered dulcimer! I play the fiddle. We should get together and play some music sometime." That's how Blue Moon Rising got started. The two of us invited two other friends and formed a band that played together for 10 + years.

So, use your imagination. Put yourself out there! You never know what it might lead to.  And it might be just the thing to take your practice and playing to the next level.

PS ... This time of year, some venues are overrun with do-gooders, and I do mean that in the most positive way.  Scout troops, Sunday school classes, amateur musicians :-) are all thinking about caroling and looking for ways to spread good cheer.  Think about scheduling an appearance in January or February when entertainment is more scarce.