I have been an artist, an educator for over 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The media of my expression is music. Naturally I learned music since young and still learning. This learning process will never come to an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning is a great thing. It gives you a new perspective, skills, idea of what to practice next, and new way of evaluating what you do in music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was practicing as always and in the middle of playing Bach, the question suddenly popped out in my mind, “Are you doing this to please yourself?”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing up, of course I was not expected to be a protege or anything. I was just an ordinary music loving kid who is so incapable in many respects (still am now..).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I did, I listened to my favorite Jazz and played whatever I can to please myself. And I was happy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the years of learning music, I gained tremendously that help me to create new things, but at the same time, this simple concept of “pleasing myself” might has been left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example: Meals!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why do you eat? What do you eat? Thinking of what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regular eating cycle, nutrition, squeezed lunch time during the busy work schedule…we often eat out of the reason besides, “it taste good”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what else is ideal besides, “you eat because this will please yourself”?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same in music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nutrition, diet, health concern, all are good but we should never forget everything you do should please yourself. In this way, I might even be able to say, I was a better artist younger when I was not really learning and just played what I liked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since my little question popped up, I found myself asking students, “Do you feel good?”, “Are you happy doing this”, “Did your music made you feel good?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more professional you become, the easier you skip these simple questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We should always happy with what we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be happy!\u266a<\/p>\n\n\n\n