Make Music For Yourself

Why do you make music? Do you do it for yourself or for others? 

Why do you want to study music? Is it what you want to do with your life, or is it what others expect you to do with your life?

As I stood talking with my dad and two family friends today during a music event, this question ran through my mind.  It ran through my mind because one of those people that I was standing there with is the same person that asked me those questions as a junior in high school.

When he asked me if I was playing trumpet because I wanted to or because my parents wanted me to, I didn't know how to respond, as I had never really thought about it before.  It really made me think about if pursuing music was really what I wanted to do or if it was just something that I was going to pursue because everyone told me I would be good at it.

 I'll never forget the advice he gave me that day: "If you want to study music, then do it.  If you don't want to study music, then don't do it.  Don't do something because other people want you to.  Do the things that you want to do for yourself.  Make music for yourself.  Play the trumpet for yourself.  Study music because that's what you want to do with your life."

During the car ride home that day, I remember telling my parents how he asked me those questions, and telling them that I wanted to play trumpet for myself, not just because I was "supposed to." I'll never forget the way that my parents blankly stared at me and said: "We don't want you to do anything that you don't want to do. This is your life."

That day will forever hold a place in my heart, because it changed my outlook on life.  It changed the reason that I was playing trumpet and making music.  It gave me the power to feel like I was in control of my life, especially when it came to music.

It wasn't until after that conversation that I truly started to consider studying music in college for myself...because I wanted to!  Who knew that a small conversation would lead me to where I am at today..pursuing music therapy because I want to.

I was once again reminded of why I am studying music and why I love making music today as I stood talking with these people.  It's people like these that have influenced me to want to study/pursue a career in music for myself.

I am forever grateful to all of my role models, mentors, teachers, friends, and colleagues in music who have supported me and continue to support me on my musical journey of making music for myself.