Take A Hike!

Have you ever taken a hike?

I imagine so, and I am sure you’ve experienced a time that as you were trudging up a hill, panting and slightly out of breath, that someone came up behind you full of energy, jogging merrily past you and out of sight. Did you get frustrated, turn around and go back to your car, or did you stay the course and proceeded at your own unique pace?
I would hope you continued on to your destination. After all – it was there waiting for you, and I am sure you took the time along the way to smell the metaphorical roses, and appreciate the random glories along the way. That energetic hiker needed to go at their own pace, and so did you.

No two people have the exact same agenda for how to enjoy themselves. Fast hiker may have been hiking and exercising those muscles for years, while you may have just started to enjoy this new activity, or simply prefer a slower pace.

Learning music is often similar to this experience.

You may be struggling with understanding how to place your fingers to make that darned Bb chord, while the rest of the group has moved past you and on to the chorus.

Some people seem to “get it” faster than others. Perhaps there is a tendency in some to adapt to mechanical concepts like finger placement, while others lean towards the emotional aspects of dynamics; still others have this acute awareness of rhythm. It doesn’t matter. We are all on the same path and will, if we persevere, arrive at the same place at some point.

There’s no need to compare yourself to the others in any way, other than perhaps to notice, and appreciate, the differences.

Music, like hiking, isn’t a race. The destination isn’t the goal – it’s the journey. Hear those wonderful notes, those beautiful chords, and that enticing rhythm. Play music, don’t be in a rush to check it off your list.

We will get there…. all in good time.