The Tuned In Academy

Shedding In the Street?

gardenCan regular time in the shed (the practice shed) actually be a problem?

In The Tuned In Musician I muse a bit on one possible negative impact of regular disciplined music practice. Of all people, realize that in no way do I intend to discount the value of music practice as a discipline. On the contrary, I would urge you to make disciplined music practice, study, and meditation[1] a regular part of your daily routine. But there can be a problem with an extreme practice discipline: if we are in the shed all the time we can lose sight of and connection with the community outside its walls.

This has caused me to wonder, what if some musicians with the time and the ability were to do more shedding outside, somewhere in the community, and intentionally make efforts to make significant contact and interaction with the people around them?

I know musicians all over the world faithfully busk in the streets, and I have witnessed some of them practice as well as present their art in public. But what if we were to intentionally seek out public places where we might be welcome not just to make music, but to engage in our daily practice routine right there?

Busking, serenading, or just enhancing a city sound-scape can be a tremendous gift of presence and music to a community. But I wonder if we might be better prepared to do this if we spent more time tuning in to the community as we practiced. What if our shed was the street, or our practice room was the parking garage?

I would love to hear your thoughts. I have already found one garden ripe for my practice routine, and I hope I can grow there as a person, a member of the community, and closer to the people; not just musically.

 


[1] Read the book if you aren’t sure what I mean by meditation.

Recent News

What Others Say...

“Sean-David is an excellent and patient piano teacher. He makes every lesson a fun and adventurous when it…

– Parent of KAB Kids Students