As we welcome 2012, many of us are taking this opportunity to reflect and reset. The new year often brings a fresh sense of purpose—whether it’s spending more time with family, improving health, reducing stress, or pursuing personal passions. One resolution we frequently hear is the desire to learn a musical instrument or to dedicate more time to music practice.
If that’s your goal this year, we wholeheartedly support it. But we also want to be realistic: learning music, while rewarding, is not entirely stress-free. Like any new skill, there’s an initial adjustment period. Frustration is normal. Progress can feel slow. That’s all part of the process—and that’s okay.
One of the best ways to prepare for lessons is to simply listen to the music you love. Really listen. Enjoy it without analyzing or critiquing. Absorbing music in a relaxed, judgment-free way strengthens your connection to it, and helps you develop one of the most essential skills for any musician: the ability to listen.
As you begin your lessons, remember: it’s normal to feel challenged. It’s even normal to feel like you “aren’t good at it”—especially at first. Embracing that discomfort is part of the learning journey. The students who progress the most are often the ones who learn to enjoy the process, not just the results.
We look forward to helping you achieve your musical goals in 2012. As part of our own resolutions, we’ll be sharing more regular updates, tips, and resources—so feel free to let us know in the comments what you’d like to learn more about.
Here’s to a year full of growth, music, and inspiration!
—Henry Bahrou
Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff
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