Warning: Music May Cause Happiness!
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
There should probably be a warning sign on the front door of every music school:
WARNING: Music may cause happiness. Side effects may include singing in the car, dancing in the kitchen, spontaneous piano playing, and an uncontrollable desire to perform for your family.
And at Leading Note Studios, we see those side effects every single day.
Sometimes joy starts with something incredibly small. It’s the look on a student’s face when they make their very first sound on a saxophone. If you’ve ever tried a woodwind or brass instrument for the first time, you know that getting that first real note out is an accomplishment!
Sometimes it’s a beginning piano student carefully playing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and realizing that the sounds coming from the piano actually make a song they recognize.
And sometimes it’s a student playing the opening notes of Don’t Stop Believin’ and suddenly everyone in the room knows exactly what song it is.
That is the joy of music.
Music doesn't have to be perfect to make us happy. You don't have to be a professional musician, win an award, or play the most difficult piece in the book. Sometimes the greatest musical moments happen right in your own home—your child practicing piano while you're making dinner, someone picking up a guitar in the living room, or the whole family singing along to a favorite song in the car.
A Little Girl With a Big Musical Dream
As I write this, the music world is mourning the loss of the wonderful Dolly Parton, who passed away today at age 80. Her story feels especially meaningful when we think about the importance of giving children the opportunity to experience music while they are young.
Dolly's musical story began long before the world knew her name. She composed her first song when she was only about five or six years old. By age 10, she was performing on the Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour, a local radio and television program in Tennessee. And at just 13 years old, she performed at the Grand Ole Opry, where she was introduced by Johnny Cash and received three encores.
Think about that for a moment.
Before Jolene. Before 9 to 5. Before I Will Always Love You. Before the awards, movies, Dollywood and worldwide fame, there was simply a little girl from Tennessee who loved music.
No one knows where that first piano lesson, guitar chord, drumbeat or squeaky saxophone note will lead a child. Most of our students won't become professional musicians—and that's not why we teach them.
We teach music because of what happens along the way.
We watch students learn to stick with something that's difficult. We see their confidence grow when they finally master a song. We watch the nervous student walk onto a recital stage and then stand a little taller when the audience applauds. We see families create memories around music that can last a lifetime.
And every once in a while, that child who simply loves to sing, play or write songs may discover a dream that changes the direction of their life.
Fill Your House With Music This Fall 🍂
As the school year gets underway and our calendars begin filling up again, I want to encourage families to make room for music.
Fill your house with music.
Turn it on while you're making dinner. Sing loudly in the car. Let your child play the same song for you for the 47th time. Clap when they finally get that tricky part. Dance in the kitchen. Go to concerts. Try a new instrument. And when your child says, “Come listen to this!”—go listen.
Those moments matter.
At Leading Note Studios, our motto has always been Teaching the Joy of Music, and there is a reason the word joy is in there. Yes, we teach notes, rhythm, technique, theory and musicianship. But ultimately, I want our students to discover something they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.
So, Happy September and Happy Fall from all of us at Leading Note Studios! 🍁
And if you've been thinking about trying music lessons, consider this your warning:
You might walk through our doors as a beginner...
but don't be surprised if you leave as a musician. 🎶
With joy and music,
Camille Hastings
Owner, Leading Note Studios
Teaching the Joy of Music
