The Amateur of Music and Beginner's Mind
I receive a fair amount of feedback from readers who do not identify as musicians. They find that a particular article connects with them because of its accessibility and the lessons I share that are applicable to life in general. I'm finding that this ezine is for non-musicians as well as musicians.
Yet, I believe we are all musicians, whether realized or not. Still, I understand the hesitancy people feel about identifying themselves as musicians. Some people have a belief that only those who play or sing to a certain high standard may call themselves musicians or be considered a professional musician. And that leaves the moniker of amateur for the rest.
Origins Of An Amateur
Amateur has come to mean a person who engages in an art as a hobby rather than as a profession; also, one lacking the skill of a professional. This crumpling of the word does not sit well with me. Amateur has a much more fitting beginning. The word comes from the Latin, amātor (French spelling amateur) meaning lover, devoted friend, devotee, or enthusiastic pursuer of an objective.
Let's reclaim this word and bring deserved appreciation to amateurs.
The ability to make music is inherent in all of us. If we use the broad definition of music as auditory communication with structure, that is, pitch and rhythm, we have some room to accept ourselves as musicians. Of course, there is no single agreed-upon definition of music and what definitions there are vary according to culture and social context.
Express Your Inner Musician
It is my mission to reach those people who are amateurs of music and want to express their inner musician. I am an amateur of music, a devotee and enthusiastic pursuer of all things music. I love listening to music - on the radio and on youtube.com; in concert and in nature.
I also love expressing music. In my 50 years of life, I have played saxophone and clarinet for 40 of those years. A cello came to me about 15 years ago and I took a year of lessons. On travels, I have picked up hand drums of various sizes and rattles and shakers. Our home has quite a percussion section in it. After attending a weekend workshop with Motherlode, I picked up a harmonica in G. This I keep handy and play at all hours of the day, but especially when traveling. Just recently, I bought a Native American flute in the key of B that gives me great pleasure playing outdoors.
Yes, I love making music and that includes singing. I sing with CDs. At concerts, I join the sing-alongs. Around the house, you can hear me sing my own made-up songs and yes, I whistle while I work!
Singing is probably the most accessible instrument for most people to play since we carry our voice with us. No matter where you go, there it is!
Instrumentalist or Vocalist...or Both!
You may be surprised to learn that in all these years and in all this love of music and expressing music, I have never sung in a chorus. I've always considered myself an instrumentalist, not a vocalist. And yet, I love to sing. I am an amateur of singing. There is a lot of music in me and it wants to be expressed.
Beginner's Mind
This brings me to the concept of Beginner's Mind, a Buddhist concept that refers to having an attitude of openness and eagerness when studying a subject. Bringing a lack of preconceptions to your subject just as a beginner would.
I am cultivating Beginner's Mind in my singing. Today I joined the Aurora Chorus, a women's chorus in the Portland area whose vision is powerful women singing peace. Tuesday night, I went to the voicing session with conductor, Joan Szymko. What is my vocal range? What part (Soprano 1, 2, Alto 1, 2) would suit me best to sing? Tonight (Thursday) is the first rehearsal for our Dec. 20 performance, Calling On The Spirits. It turns out I sing higher than I thought! I'll be singing Second Soprano.
Open and Eager to Learn
I expect to be learning a great deal about the voice, about how to create delicious vocal tone, how to blend with one hundred plus women's voices, and more of which I am as yet unaware.
Every Thursday night, I will bring my Beginner's Mind to rehearsal, open myself to what Joan teaches, and become a powerful woman singing peace.
Calling All Amateurs!
Are you an amateur of something? Could applying Beginner's Mind to that which you are devoted, move you forward in your study? How do you use Beginner's Mind in your everyday life? Share your thoughts with me and my readers: email me or comment on my blog.
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