Sometimes it’s important not to fret it, so to speak. You’re someone who’s decided to learn an instrument. You’ve been diligent and organized about your practice. Every day but Fridays (or Tuesdays, if you’re a Tuesday person) you will sit down and try to progress on them keys or on them drums. You’ve been very disciplined and you’ve paid a heavy price to be disciplined. It took a good long year to get your daily hour of practice set in your day (but on Thursdays, if you’re a Thursday person).
Then life happens. Oh, it doesn’t have to be bad news. As a matter of fact, it can be the best news in the world: you go on vacation. You’ve prepared your travels, you’re ready to go, you’ve even got a destination you’ve always wanted to see: one that doesn’t have no drums or keys, yes, that one. And you’re off. Let me tell you, the first day is rough, no matter what. Your mind is still tied to your routine. It is painful to tear yourself away. You get grumpy, like you’re missing something important.
Eventually, after a few days, a new routine sets in. It involves many things, but certainly not your instrument. Still, in the back of your mind, you try to convince yourself that this is all very good for your practice. And, tell you what, yes it is.
Because you need to let it go. You’re on vacation, enjoy that. If you go to a deserted place with a few people, every diner will play country music. If you go to New Orleans, the streets will sing the jazz. If you go to New York, the rumor of the city will be full of all the music of the world. And if you set foot in another country, well, that’s game over. Then the music will be foreign for sure, sometimes you won’t even understand the lyrics!
Let it go! Your mind needs a good cleansing. Routine are great, but getting away helps to refocus and understand what matters in our life. And, for the dedicated musicians out there, don’t worry, you’ll get back on the horse. Music will never leave you.
