Sharing Talent 1

(part 1 of 4 from the article Sharing Talent with Others)

Why should students be encouraged to play for other people?

Part of the reward for learning a musical instrument is being able to share your talent with others!  Performing certainly doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but there are things about performing that are good for everyone to experience.

First, playing for other people provides encouragement for the student to work hard on a specific piece and polish it well.  A recital date or grandma’s visit may be just the thing needed to spur extra practice or give another purpose for polishing review songs.

Second, playing for other people can be a great opportunity for someone besides the student’s practice partner to provide positive feedback.  If mom is the one who does daily practice, then playing the song for dad can be a great way for dad to be involved and supportive of the student’s hard work.  Learning a musical instrument has greater value when multiple people are able to appreciate the child’s efforts and encourage him/her to continue learning.

Third, playing for other people helps the student learn how to conquer fear, focus in the midst of distraction, gracefully accept compliments, and deal with mistakes as well as successes.  These are all important skills in a variety of life situations and it is good for kids to have a chance to practice them in small and large ways.

Finally, playing for other people is a way to share a gift that God has given.  I believe that God has given each person a unique set of skills and talents, and those talents can and should be used to enrich the lives of people around us.  Sharing musical skills is a chance to give your student the opportunity to serve others and bring them joy.