Playing music is pure joy. And if your are playing with others that joy is multiplied by the feeling of blending together well, even effortlessly to create beautiful sounds, express your deepest emotions, and connect with your audience. Simply stated, there’s no other human experience like it.
Some thoughts on the joy of making music:
• Music delivers a unique physical sensation: the vocalist holding a note; the guitarist, his instrument vibrating in his hands; the rhythm of breath experienced by the woodwind player.
• You can lose yourself in the music, moments where you surrender conscious thought and plotting to pure instinct and even abandonment.
• There is texture in making music, a sense of warmth of tone and harmony, or the sharp edge of uptempo playing.
• Music allows you to express emotions beyond words, emotions that are complex, joyful, even painful. Think of the singing of Billie Holiday.
• Music allows you to escape what might be the drudgery of a long day or the stress you deal with in your life.
• Playing music affords the opportunity to feel accomplished. Think about mastering a tune you’ve been working on or even a particularly challenging phrase, or playing in a way that appropriately complements the other players on stage with you.
There is little I’ve ever known that can deliver the joy of a night of music well played for an appreciative audience.