Having some great discussion around this quote with our team of teachers. One of the awesome things about Music 1st is that we have teachers that are committed to so much more than just teaching somebody how to play an instrument.
There’s some important truth to this quote, we would also suggest that music is way more than just entertainment, but at least that’s the starting point.
This is an interesting statement, and while I probably would suggest a different word than the word “real,” I do think there’s a valid consideration here. Perhaps it might be more caring to say something like a caring and considerate musician should strive towards the goal of always being willing to share their music with people who ask.
A lot of my students know, playing in front of people is just not my normal goal or comfort level, I would rather write a record, however being willing to play in front of people, and having the courage to do so, I still think it’s important and I’m generally willing to do it when necessary.
One of the reasons we bring our team members onto the team at Music 1st is because they understand music on a much deeper level. I wouldn’t expect the average pop or rock star to articulate something like this, but the reality is that music is so much more than simply entertainment. I would actually argue that while it is certainly not wrong for music to be simply entertainment, entertainment alone is probably the lowest value that music provides.
Music is definitely therapeutic (we have a wonderful board-certified and licensed music therapist on the team who does amazing work in that regard). Music can meet pretty much every non-physical human need whether actual or perceived, and both of which are important.
Every piece of music tells a story which can be much more than just entertainment, every piece of music may also speak a message of value of whatever the subject is, could speak significant and important truths, and every piece of music can be a serenade and a love song which are often incredibly important and meaningful to people.
So ultimately being willing to share our music with others means caring enough to share any one of those things and meeting any one of their needs that it can meet.
