I have worked with several groups of students on this idea of ‘play’ in playing in the last month. When I ask participants, “What is your why?” a common response is, “Because music-making is fun.”
Yes, music-making is fun but this is abstract and vague. In my experience, abstract concepts aren’t enough to lean on under pressure. just like a basket isn’t enough to hold water.
Look at your ‘why’ if you have stated it, if you haven’t it might be time to bring it into focus. Suppose fun or some other generalized concept is a part of your ‘why’ l encourage you to dig deeper, to define what is ‘fun’.
What is it about music-making and playing that you find fun? For me, creating sound is fun. I can further define this process as shaping the mouth and embouchure, then moving air through the space. This is my fun! When I am under pressure, I can connect to this process, my why, using it as an intention to organize my playing around. I can be in the moment as I literally, breathe life into notes on the page.
Your ‘why’ is important. Aligning what you are doing, music-making, with your unique why allows you to share your unique ideas. Performing from this perspective relieves you of the burden of trying to please someone else with your playing. But you never know, when the why is at the heart of the process, you just might deeply touch your listener.
Be curious!
I’m curious to know what you find as you look for clarity in your why. Please share!