From the very first saxophone lesson, I knew that David’s biggest obstacle was his own self-doubt.
He had never studied music, but could talk for hours about his love for jazz greats likeMiles Davis and Charlie Parker. As a retired engineer, Davidhad a diligent work ethic, strong organizational skills and advanced critical thinking.
Here was an adult student with everything he needed for success.
Well, almost everything.
David walked into our first lesson not only with his saxophone, but also a legal pad with an itemized list of eight skills he knew for certain were impossible for him. The list included things like memorization, playing by ear, and sight-reading. He read this list aloud – not so we could address those deficits in our lessons, but so I would know what to avoid.
In his big, boisterous voice, David made it very clear to me: Attempting to teach him those things would only frustrate him, as it had with his two previous sax teachers.
I liked him immediately.
I also decided to ignore this long list of prohibitions.
By the end of the first lesson, we had scratched off one of those items. Six months later, we’d scratched off all of them.
Now, a year and a half later, David is one of my most dedicated students. Together, we have torn down barrier after barrier. He has improved vastly from when we started, but more importantly, he enjoys playing every day. The self-doubt that once ruled him is not gone, but is now balanced by the knowledge that he can overcome it.
Clearly, music is more than scales and arpeggios. To master it, we must also master our ourselves.
That’s why you should stop procrastinating, and take music lessons at the New School of Music.
The New School is a nonprofit community music school in Austin, Texas, where you will receive the finest instruction from some of the best musicians in the Live Music Capitol of the World.
We teach all ages and all skill levels for guitar, drums, piano, violin, saxophone and more. We can provide you with the opportunity to practice intelligently, learn at your pace, and experience steady progress toward your musical aspirations.
New School will also connect you with a community of performers and students just like you, offering the chance to play with your peers, as well as your instructors. We provide free recitals to showcase your skills in front of an audience of fellow students.
We also offer the Texas Jazz and Blues Camp, where students play in ensembles with faculty and students, learning the same way as the greatest musicians of all time: by playing with other great musicians.
New School is technologically driven as well: We offer virtual online lessons in order to reach you no matter where you are. This way you can learn from home, concentrating on the learning process while still staying safe in this difficult time of social distancing.
Time is also flexible in virtual lessons. Learn at your own pace at a time convenience for you.
If you think you can’t devote enough time and resources to start music lessons in Austin now, we also offer month-to-month lessons with no contracts. Lessons are available in 30-minute, 45-minute, and 60-minute blocks to fit your preference and budget – and you can start anytime.
New School of Music is dedicated to the idea that playing music is for everyone.
Come join us, and discover the voice within.