I have come to be a great listener of sound...music yes, always, but also of sound. And what is sound but music in its rawest form, at times, a seemingly disorganized cacophony at others, as perfectly structured as any great Beethoven symphony.
We just had a new grandbaby in the family, and I am imagining those tiny ears tuning in sound for the first time in the womb, sometime around 20 weeks gestation. Hearing gives a fetus a first perception of an outside- the- womb world. How wonderous those first sounds must feel!
This is the root of music appreciation, and it began for all of us in the womb. Then as we grew, we learned that we too could make sounds. If you have ever witnessed a 9-month-old exuberantly whacking on kitchen pots and pans, you will understand the joy which should be at the heart of any music program. It is sometimes easy to forget in the midst of the hard work of teaching and learning and practicing a musical instrument, that Sound + Joy is really the essence of why we are here
Reconnecting with sound is as easy as sitting still and listening, really listening, feeling intrigued by the sounds as they enter your experience. Feeling the response of them in the body- the wonder of them and the feelings and movement they evoke. It involves being present in a sound-filled moment for the sheer joy of it!
So occasionally, I stop to just listen. Often, I introduce that forgotten sense of playfulness into students' lessons. I may adhere to the goal of instilling a life-long passion for music in my students, but lately, I have felt that it is and more about reawakening a deep-seated love of sound.
Many of you take a break from music education over the summer. Enjoy the shift to other things! No demands to practice now, just keep listening :)
