Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about how I started learning music when I was a kid. I started with piano lessons in elementary school, which quickly evolved into playing percussion in middle school and high school. Looking back, I realize how important it was that my parents encouraged my music lessons. I wasn’t the kind of kid that would have taken on music lessons without my parents encouragement. I was a kid. My idea of a well balanced breakfast was a bowlful of FruitLoops teetering on the arm of the couch while I watched Saturday morning cartoons. I had NO idea the benefits that an education in music would bring. My parents were even willing to give me a drum set when I was in high school. I can only imagine what that sounded like in the early days of trying to convince my hands and feet to do 4 different things at once. At one point, I even tried to “soundproof” my room in an effort to shield my family from the endless practicing. Somehow, I don’t think those heavy blankets hung around my room did anything to help the situation.
The funny thing is, I can’t remember my parents ever complaining about the noise. Sure, it annoyed my sisters, but we were always bugging each other back in those days. I guess what I’m trying to say is, be sure to thank the people who introduced you to music and told you that music is important, music is worth pursuing, and that it’s okay if you don’t sound perfect at the beginning – all you have to do is practice, practice, practice.