Discovering Your ‘Why’ in Piano Playing: A Path to Passion and Purpose
As the new academic year gets underway and students return to lessons after the long summer break I often ask myself why some students see the long break as an opportunity for more practice and why others see it as quite the opposite and without regular lessons, see the opportunity for a total break and then return feeling nervous and frustrated at their playing which inevitably feels rather rusty.
Having given this a lot of thought, and of course, taking into account the pressures on young students with school work etc, I still feel that behind these differing approaches is perhaps the business of ‘knowing your why’ in relation to piano playing. What drives you, why do you want to play, what pulls you to the piano to practice, or alternatively, what turns you off practising?
In the world of piano playing, the question ‘What is your why?’ is more than just a motivational prompt; it’s a gateway to deeper engagement and fulfilment with the instrument. Understanding your personal reasons for playing can transform your practice sessions, performances, and overall experience at the piano. Here’s how exploring your ‘why’ can elevate your musical journey.
The Importance of Knowing Your ‘Why’
Your ‘why’ is your core motivation—the driving force behind why you sit at the piano each day. It could be a desire for self-expression, a quest for technical mastery, or a love for the rich emotional language of music. Identifying your ‘why’ helps you set meaningful goals and overcome challenges with a sense of purpose.
- Clarify Your Goals When you know your ‘why,’ setting goals becomes more intuitive. If your motivation is to express emotions that words cannot capture, you might focus on interpreting pieces with emotional depth. If your aim is technical prowess, your practice might revolve around challenging compositions that push your boundaries. However, one cannot really exist without the other, we need a solid technique in order to be able to play expressively.
- Overcome Challenges Every pianist encounters obstacles—be it technical difficulties, performance anxiety, or a plateau in progress. Your ‘why’ can provide resilience. For instance, if your purpose is to connect with others through music, the discomfort of performing might be easier to navigate, as it aligns with a greater, more rewarding goal. If you are working with a teacher then they will be able to help you with any challenges you encounter.
- Deepen Your Connection to Music Understanding why you play can deepen your connection to the music itself. If your ‘why’ is to preserve and share a family tradition, you might find a richer meaning in playing pieces that have personal significance or in exploring the historical context of certain compositions. Choosing repertoire will be of great importance and as pianists we are so lucky that the repertoire is so vast. Again, a good teacher can help you to select repertoire which will meet your needs and be of an appropriate level for you at each step of your journey.
- Enhance Your Practice Effective practice is a huge part of any piano journey, knowing how to approach challenging sections and what to focus on is something a good teacher will be able to help you with. A well-defined ‘why’ can also improve your practice sessions. Knowing your purpose can guide how you approach each practice session.
Reflection and growth as a pianist
Discovering your ‘why’ is an evolving process. It might change over time as you grow as a musician and as an individual. Regular reflection can help you stay aligned with your core motivations. Ask yourself periodically why you are drawn to the piano and how your goals and aspirations have shifted.
Conclusion
In essence, your ‘why’ is the heartbeat of your piano journey. It’s what makes your musical endeavours meaningful and fulfilling. Whether you’re playing for personal satisfaction, to communicate with others, or to master the instrument, understanding your core motivation can lead to a more enriched and purposeful musical experience. So, take a moment to reflect on your ‘why’ and let it guide you through the highs and lows of your piano playing journey.
