I've had a few piano teachers over the years. And I can't say that they really helped me. Why? Because I can learn technique pretty much on my own. What I needed was for someone to help me TRUST MY OWN INTUITION and act as a mentor guiding me to my desired goal, which at that time, was to create my own music. Think of a visual artist as an example. This artist may be able to understand and apply different techniques to create a pleasing work of art, but the art itself won't have that special X factor that only comes when an artist fully trusts their own intuition. Intuition is the most confusing thing for someone without it to develop. That's because they've had a long time not trusting in themselves and their own unique talent and ability. Nothing is more important for without the ability to trust yourself, you really won't be able to hear the intuitive voice that is always present and is always willing to guide you - if you let it. The first step to accomplish this trust in yourself is to switch from a product oriented attitude to a process oriented one. You must let go of the need to produce something that is "good" or "bad." Instead, allow for mistakes and experimentation. Improvise and start out by using simple means. A few chords, a scale, some brief instruction are all that is required. You must be able to play! Children trust themselves and their power of intuition without exception. They haven't learned how not to. I like to use the analogy of finger-painting as an example of this. Put finger-paints and paper in front of a child and watch what happens. They can't wait to get started in exploring this world of color and form. They're not concerned with good or bad. What they are concerned with is pure joy. And this comes from their ability to suspend judgement and just play! |
