My Best Advice!

If I could give my students only one piece of advice for the rest of my teaching career, what would it be?

It’s like one of those desert island questions, except without the sand. (For the record: Water, Goldberg Variations, magical lamp.) It’s a bit silly, because it will always be hypothetical, but it is nevertheless fun to entertain. What would I say if I could only say one thing? Because the truth is, I give a lot of advice.

This is a professional hazard of being any kind of teacher, but I think it also speaks to the incredible complexity of learning and making music. Music engages our whole selves– physically, cognitively, emotionally, and interpersonally. We must hone a wildly diverse variety of skills, then integrate them dynamically in real time.

To be honest, I cannot think of a more complex human endeavor.

Hence, advice! But if I were to limit myself to only one piece? One singular sentence in a potential galaxy of guidance?

The funny thing is, it’s not difficult for me to choose. My best is advice is very simple:

Be curious.

What the heck does that mean?

When it comes to learning and making music, our default attitude is often one of judgment. We hold where we are up to where we want to be and try to gauge the difference. We often exist in a perpetual state of assessment: Are we doing it right? Do we sound good? Are we there yet????

If, instead, we are curious, our lens changes. We can’t forsake judgment entirely, but by focusing elsewhere and reducing judgment’s cognitive and emotional burdens, we have the space to become our own best teachers.

When we are curious, mistakes become opportunities, helping us notice where and how to concentrate our work. Gaps in knowledge become beacons for learning. And challenges become invitations to explore.

When we’re curious, our minds are calm and open. We’re ready to learn. And so we do!