The Lost Joy Of Making Music At Home

There is great joy in making music with others, especially when making music at home. A close friend and student once told me before his passing that he could read and sing music notation by the age of 3 before he knew how to read words. This wasn’t just any friend and I took him at his word because he was one of the finest musicians I have ever known. He was only an average guitarist but he was a great musician.

Paul Palmer was his name and he is known around the world as FreeScorePaul from his YouTube channel. He told me, as we reminisced, that his family sang four-part harmony throughout his entire youth. They did not sing for money or fame. They sang for the joy of making music. The byproduct was a deep understanding of music and its ability to influence their entire lives. We have lost this influence in our families. We all know well the benefits of learning an instrument cognitively, but I believe there is something much deeper that comes from the community of music.

Why Is Making Music At Home On My Mind?

I am sure many of you think this is just some utopian ideal of a century ago that is better kept there. But in my opinion, it is a joy that has been lost and may never return. I have heard Tommy Emmanuel say, “The happiest people groups I have ever met are those that make music together and dance together.” This comes from a man who is considered one of the greatest guitarists alive today and has traveled probably to every continent, save Antarctica, to make music.

There are two primary reasons why this is at the forefront of my thoughts recently. First, I did not have the opportunity to experience making music within my home growing up. Secondly, I want my kids to have the opportunity to develop the benefits of such an experience. They are at an age where this can be implemented and made into a habit. I could add references here to all the studies showing the cognitive, social, and self-image benefits, but I think we all know the value of such experiences intrinsically.

Do We Have Excuses Or Reasons?

The question is whether we find it has enough value to change our lives to create the opportunity for our families. I often use this line of questioning about excuses and reasons when it comes to a student practicing. An excuse is, “I did not have enough time” and a reason is, “I broke my finger.”

We can use the excuse that we can’t sing or we don’t play an instrument but those are all issues that can be mended with practice or resources. I cannot think of a single reason, even for myself, to not be making music regularly with my family. We all have voices and therefore we all have instruments. And we have enough technology to give us all the aid we need.

Is It A Lost Cause?

Why am I writing about this issue? My main reason is to ask for help. If you or anyone you know already create music as a family regularly, then please comment and give suggestions. If you don’t and want to, then comment and let me, and our readers, know what obstacles need to be addressed or what resources would help.

My secondary reason for writing about this issue stems from an entire generation that has little knowledge of good music beyond the repetitious bass heard from our iPhones. We have idolized the process of making music into some search for fame and fortune at the cost of losing the joy of making music for a lifetime. There has to be a better way…I hope. Or has the pendulum swung too far to ever return to making music an integral part of our daily lives?

Check out some of our other articles:

• 3 Things I Am Learning From Beginner Guitar Scales in Open Position
• Mastering the Art: Better Judging of Yourself While Practicing Guitar
• Petit Poney By Yvon Demillac
• First Exercise on the E String by Mertz
• Petit Poney By Yvon Demillac

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Originally Published: September 8, 2016.

Music photo created by pressfoto – www.freepik.com

Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.