This is a great quote. And it is a great philosophy for music as well when it is time to play. When we present before an audience, whether the TIA community, the public, or even if you are coming in to play for your lesson or class. Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the music!

It’s also what one of my most influential teachers, Jerry Bergonzi used to tell me all the time. He would say, you practice, and you work on your craft, you hone your skills and you fine tune every element of the music on the practice bench. But when times come to play, forget all about that. Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the music.

But you will enjoy the music SO much more when you can play it better, and that comes with practice and discipline. Real fun with music, making the kind of music that you don’t just enjoy but that will resonate with your whole body and soul, that kind of fun—begins with practice and hard work. Practice hard. Play hard. Enjoy the music, both in practice and playing.