You are special, you are loved and you are not alone! There has never been a more appropriate time to say this or to share with others that which makes us unique. This is what it is to be human! And music is just an extension of our beautiful humanity. So, let's start with a little background…
Our community in North Fulton Georgia and online has made Music By Tritone who we are for 18 years! Now with ONLINE LESSONS for our students — and the new norm instead of the occasional — we have been truly INSPIRED by how well students of ALL AGES are thriving with virtual lessons. They are also excited by the student video recording projects — solos, bands and ensembles — all online!
It's these projects that I'd love to talk about here. In the information age where we have access to the most extraordinary glimpses of man and nature. It has been all too easy to refrain from contributing anything less than sensational. As amateur artists and students, the question many wonder is WHY? Why should I share something that doesn't achieve critical acclaim or push the limits of human achievement?
To understand this, I enjoy reflecting on a time when recording did not exist. Prior to 1878, there was no way to capture music — and even many decades later — live performance was the only way for most to appreciate music. Musicians provided this enjoyment physically and in-person in every town and city. Most experts agree though that modern musical performers achieve consistently higher levels of technical perfection due to advancements in pedagogy, more widely accessible training resources and constant self-analysis.
So why then, paralleling this advancement has there been a decline in the enjoyment of musical performance by amateur musicians? One explanation: It seems there's always someone who can do it better... and that "better" performance is right there at our fingertips. But what really is better? I spend a lot of time fixing posture and helping with tone and rhythm but is that actually what makes music "music"? Performance, in fact, is expression simple and pure. Better technique may help us better convey our intent but any time we play something or sing and try to convey genuine human emotion, every time we tell a musical story, we have created original art! That uniqueness makes it special, it makes it ours and THAT IS BETTER!
Music, especially during this time of necessary separation, gives us an outlet for expression, satisfaction of accomplishment and the possibility of something beautiful to share with our family and friends. On Facebook we'll be posting lots of student videos (solos and virtual ensembles) in the coming days but in the meantime, please share our page with your family and friends so they can ”like” and follow!
If you haven't already, please consider joining us if you or anyone in your family would like to begin or improve on an instrument or voice. We teach Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Guitar, Ukulele, Drums, Voice and Songwriting: Beginner to Advanced, Children and Adults. We also organize virtual bands and ensembles as well. In any case though, think about sharing a "musical performance selfie" by posting on social media or simply sharing with a few friends and family!
You can find out more about virtual lessons by CLICKING HERE.