The Importance of Community for Musicians
Though the most important part of learning an instrument is always going to be the personal practice of a student, music is rarely an individual activity. Whether it is in a jazz band, string quartet, or a rock band; most music is played with other people.
No one would question the importance of a basketball player practicing free throws alone, but no amount of practice in the driveway can prepare a player to compete on a team in a game. Similarly, to continue to grow on their instrument, students of music must also practice being part of a team!
How Do We Get There?
To assist this effort, Adam is always attempting to help build a community where students can feel comfortable playing music with and for one another. The goal of this community is to foster students’ development by allowing older students to mentor younger students. This will inspire new levels of confidence through cooperative efforts and expose students to different techniques and styles of music. The skill sets acquired through these experiences help students grow, both on and off the stage!
Adam uses two of the most tried and true methods of building this community: participation in recitals and jam sessions.
- The time-honored tradition of recitals continues to be a great environment for students of all levels to build confidence. Getting public encouragement from friends, family, and fellow students has a profound impact on students’ confidence and emotional well-being. When students perform a piece of music that they have worked hard on, and experience the fruits of their labor, they see the benefits of dedication and goal setting.
- Since the 1940’s, jam sessions have been a very common tool for musicians to increase their skill and network with other musicians. Jam sessions usually consist of learning and performing cover songs or writing new material together. Students can also use this opportunity to try out the scales they practice by taking improvisational solos on their instrument. When Adam hosts a jam session, it gives his students an opportunity to learn from one another in a laid back environment where all skill levels are welcome.
The Bottom Line
When part of a community, students build work ethic, self-respect, and confidence. Adam’s hope is that through bringing his students together, they will form their own bands, encourage each other, and develop a greater passion for music. Still got questions? Contact Adam now and experience the community for yourself!
