The Hard Truth About Learning Music

[@JohnnyB1953]

This is an excellent video! I'm 68 years old, been playing keyboards most of my life, and came to a couple of realizations in the last year. 1. I'm better than I think I am. 2. I will never play like Keith Jarrett. 3. My ego is my nemesis! (judgement, fear, comparison, contempt, etc). 4. I need to cultivate a beginner's mind! Thanks for talking about the human side of being a musician.

[@jonathanmurrell5801]

Such a great comment! I’m 58 and even after many years playing am only just really finding my feet as a musician playing predominantly Jazz. I’ve been worried lately that maybe I’ve got here too late. But good to try and expunge such thoughts from our mind

[@cademosley4886]

One thing that's given me some perspective is interviews with Keith Jerrett where he says that even he is surprised about what comes out of him & can't explain it. He practices like we all do, and then it just comes. I think there's a kind of humility in that, even beauty. It's not really entirely in our control, and we can only take so much credit. All we can do is put our selves on a good practice schedule and do the best we can, and things inside of us way beyond our comprehension do what they do and beautiful music emerges. What's great about it, I think, is you don't have to have what Keith Jerrett has for beautiful music to emerge. It will naturally come for anyone that has the facility to play at all. It's a kind of gift humans have been naturally blessed with. That's actually kind of reassuring, if you think about it. You do what you can, and the music will come. Have faith. That's a really heartening & encouraging thought for me.

[@TheTull1000]

Keith is spelled K E I T H, not Kieth. 👌🏼

[@bilbobaggins4403]

Kenny Werner ...Effortless Mastery is a good resource.

[@Domstraight]

@@bilbobaggins4403 yeahh every pianist should read it

[@oscill8ocelot]

I just started playing piano 5 months ago, at 42 years old - a lifelong dream of mine - and the only thing that stopped me from starting sooner was that *story* I told myself that said I was too old to start. We all write our own stories, every day. The story I'm writing now is one of passion and dedication - and it turns out that I'm actually pretty good! I'm writing my own music, playing pretty well for a newbie, and learning more and more every single time I sit down to play. And I just PLAY! It's FUN! It's challenging, pushing myself to learn more, but man is it fulfilling! Excellent video and a great message - I think it's too easy to forget that it's supposed to be FUN - that's why it's called PLAYING =D

[@thetruthisoutthere8598]

I just started 9 months ago at 60 yrs old

[@mrsam2026]

Good for you! Wishing you fun on your journey

[@couchphotography8861]

LOL Too old is when you're dead! When you're just starting out, it can be an uphill struggle, but having fun is the most important thing!

[@youareloved]

I started harp at 40! I'm 2 years in =) I enjoyed reading your post thank you for the reminder!!

[@TheJoscelyne]

I played in band as a kid and remember that every sound I could make was cool, it didn't matter how basic or bad it sounded, just the fact that I could play something was amazing. I try to keep this attitude as an adult learner. None of this internal criticism about my performance, just pure wonder that I can make any sounds at all.

[@wendydarling5790]

I like the idea of scheduling events. That feels very useful. Reminds me of Ellington: "I don't need time. What I need is a deadline."

[@pleximanic]

Bill Evans once said " Practice the minimum!" Meaning to practice the least amount of material at the given time to fully absorb it to the point that you really own it. Practice the minimum/play the maximum is my one and only religion,, 🙏

[@LollyDolly76]

I'm so thankful for my community orchestra. A place to play, to be inspired, to inspire, to perform, to grow, to connect with other, and to learn.

[@davidmead6337]

Thanks for this Adam. Am 77 years young, had to leave music by age 18 in order to climb out of relative poverty. Rediscovered my love for playing at age 53 when semi retired (violin/fiddle) and now coming back to the piano at age 75. Doing some theory and loving more just doodling and making music. I GET what you have just presented. This needs to be recognised by all teens who have the support to engage fully with music. The cuts to free music lessons in schools (as I had in the '50's is a tragedy, and I hope to give back supporting my grandchildren.

[@matta5348]

I feel like I found the Beginner’s Mind by switching instruments. I had been a bass player since college, but switched to bari sax at age 47. I still like those low notes, but I’ve had to sprout a completely different musical mind, and the discovery and exploration has been wonderful.

[@maruso2221]

Same here! Learning guitar has done a ton for my piano playing

[@matta5348]

@@joel6427 indeed. Going from bass to sax is a different ballgame. Going from a rhythm instrument, kind of in back of the stage, in back of the mix, mostly “supporting” the band…to being up front with this loud & shiny instrument and being the center of attention…different role and has me thinking about tone and precision and of course melody in away that bass never forced me to do.

[@patriciodasilva7902]

Nice thing about playing bass for so long you probably know a lot of chord progressions and that will really help you in your improvisation on sax. As a child I played saxophone and my idols were Gerry Mulligan and Gil Melle speaking of baritone sax players. But I switched to guitar and continued on that instrument until I was 45 and now I play both guitar and piano. I also tried flute for a while but I dropped the woodwinds I love chords

[@BraxtonKoons]

@@matta5348 bari sax is the bass of common saxes so good swap

[@AlvyneSebalj]

@@matta5348 Really funny, I actually did the opposite as in switching from a "lead" instrument (guitar) to bass, and just the same it had me learning a whole lot of fundamentals in order to be even remotely accurate in my playing, rhythm etc.. And, weirdly enough, trying to learn a ton about harmony in order to better highlight the chords. Loving it!

[@sanchezzz009]

Wow thank you so much for this. I never had any lessons as a child but I remember in 5th grade listening to Dave B. for the first time. Something inside that music ignited a passion in me. Fast forward to today, I’m 30 year old female immigrant from Mexico and decided that it’s now or never. So now I practice the sax regularly. I taught myself (via books) basic music theory and learning now to read music from scratch! I sometimes just put music on and play even if I mess up I’m just SO happy to finally do what I never had the chance to do. Thank you for the encouragement!

[@angeladaley4425]

Why never? Started at 62.

[@samwababoon]

Wow. This is honestly one of the most important talks I've ever watched. I'm so glad I clicked on this, and thank you for the mentorship.

[@piotrszarek9802]

I am sixty one. I started lerning violin about a month ago. I find your talk very useful . Thank you very much.

[@cfthompson]

Adam, you are a treasure! Fantastic musician and wonderful person.

[@suga4all]

This is so true. I am an adult and I struggled a good time trying to implement all that theory and knowledge about harmony. Finally, I made my biggest progress when I stopped thinking of all the harmony rules behind stuff and stopped trying to explain everything. Now I can just play and when I improvise I rarely think about scales, modes, extensions etc. I just play, and somehow call muscle memory patterns that sound good for me. Thats the way!

[@1oolabob]

I love this! Funny thing is, I already know and I still love to be reminded. Grown-up life is habitually serious, and (just going to say it) almost everyone is habitually self-critical a lot of the time, especially when trying to get better at something. A lot of the best musicians I know say that when you practice, you should practice hard and keep at it until you get it to sound the way you want, and then when it's time to play, forget about practicing and just play. Accomplishing anything in any art comes from doing both: practicing hard in practice, then letting go of practice and being playful when it's time to play. Each mental state is its own type of genius: practice builds mental and physical intelligence, and play brings emotional intelligence. It all really requires a lot of work along with plenty of time of no-work.

[@michaeldraney5692]

Awesome advice, worth more than any number of “10 things you need to learn” videos out there. It’s about giving yourself permission and space to grow!

[@gerbidashadji6459]

Thanks for making this video Adam. It really resonated with me and I recognize so much in it about my own musical journey. I've spend most of my 20's doing a lot of technical work on the guitar, spending most of my practice time doing technical etudes. It caused me to really burn out on playing the guitar, and almost didn't play for the first years of my 30's. Now in my late 30's I've picked up meditation and mindfulness and managed to reconnect to the simple joy I once felt of just strumming a chord, or even a single note and my playing is better than it ever was. I guess we calledl it 'playing' music for a reason.

[@EP-ki2zu]

So beautiful i could cry.....happy tears...happy musical tears that make melodies 🎶🙏🏻💜💙💗💚💕 thanks a million! Adam

[@easylikesat]

I needed this message today. I was 14 when I stopped taking lessons. Now I'm 50, and started taking lessons again within the last year.. I feel like I'm stuck.I haven't mastered any of the tunes I've been learning. I feel like I sounded better at age 14. I practice for at least an hour a day. When I get to my weekly lesson, it's like I've never placed my hand on a piano before.

[@tonyprost5575]

I have been playing for 60 years, and I still get fumble fingers when I go for my lesson. It is very frustrating, but remember, at this point you are just playing for yourself, and your own fun, and you have no recitals or anything to worry about. So just laugh, and tell your teacher you will work out the details at home!

[@marcsullivan7987]

Perhaps don’t beat yourself up about “mastering” songs yet. Learn as many songs/things as you can, and you will gradually develop skills, and get closer to mastering them over time

[@patriciodasilva7902]

Boy can I relate I'm 71 I've been noodling on the piano since I was 45 that's 20 something years and then I listened to Joey Alexander who's just a kid play like a an adult of 35 years old playing for 30 years and he plays twice as good as me -- I just get discouraged but I practice anyway. I can play songs and that's about all I ever wanted out of it and it's nice.

[@1workouttransformation267]

I was expecting a music lesson but received one of the best life lessons in life

[@fxaarchable]

Adam: This is so right on many levels for everything, not just music. Many, many thanks for putting this into words.

[@DJlamoun]

12:39 Thank You Open Studio for the BLUEPRINT for those of us who had zero. I will re-playing this video for the a long time.

[@platinumbulletsniper]

"In the eyes of infinity, we'll always be children.." Great vid!

[@colleenvanderhoek3784]

You have hit on pure gold! Adam speaking truths and Peter playing those truths!!!! Wonderful video, Peter and Adam!

[@andrewdeez_]

I know a friend of a friend who picked up double bass as an adult and is now one of the heavies on the scene. He worked his butt off and fell in love in his mid twenties and now is one of the best out there. It's possible to do at any age.

[@barbiebeckford2988]

I’ve been teaching piano for quite some time. I’ve radically changed the way I teach in the last 2 years from being militant about reading, to encouraging students to play by ear, make mistakes, JOIN THE SCHOOL BAND. Of course I’m applying it to my own playing as much as possible and my teaching and playing are much, much better. I was terrified to play piano with other people. Now I’m enjoying the hell out of it and getting better much faster improvising. There are so many different aspects to learning music and they all need to be nurtured. Most classical teachers miss this and many of their students lose interest in music and quit.

[@MikeLindup42]

Some of the best advice I’ve ever heard. Thanks Adam and Peter. For many years I’ve believed that the journey never stops, but even at the level (pun intended) of success I’ve attained, what you say about playing for no good reason and letting go of the story you have about yourself really resonated. I’ll be sharing this. Keep up the good work, I downloaded one of your courses but have been procrastinating because I thought of it as ‘more work to do’ - now a new mindset is possible 👍🏽

[@bigaaron]

I definitely found listening to my body when practicing helps, if you don't feel it, put your instrument down and do something else for minute. If you really want to play and are meant to play, you'll want to in time.

[@alistairmaleficent8776]

Agreed on all points, but with a caveat. I sometimes wish I had been forced to play hours a day when I was a kid. I would be monstrous at this point. But I don't think my art would have quite as much depth to it. Kids that spend all day playing music and not just playing around and experiencing life just don't seem to have the depth of feeling in their music that some less prodigal but more life-experienced players do. It's why these days I prefer listening to actual songs instead of just endless jams conducted by technical wizards. Of course, the best of both worlds is totally possible. I think Pat Metheny, Esperanza Spalding, and Miles Davis are great examples. That's what I aspire to; not to be the hottest prodigal player on the block, but to write music that makes people feel deeply while at the same time blowing their minds with musicality. Keep up the good work, guys. This was a great message; I can tell it was heartfelt, and I'll be thinking about it and applying it.

[@TraneFrancks]

I'm 62 and just got my first keyboard, a generous gift from a dear friend. Will my development be slower? Sure! Brain plasticity is reduced in the older years, but I'm very much looking forward to playing embarrassingly bad Bill Evansisms in a few years time. Exploring chords is huge fun. Can't wait till my left hand has a clue, though. 🤣

[@lukewood2662]

I discovered music production, DAWs and VSTs almost two years ago. I used to play keyboard and sing years ago, and before that I used to play guitar at high school. I probably produced close to 100 instrumentals, and I loved each one of them except one that was pure expression of bad feelings which I didn't like later. Different genres, different instruments, mainly between rock, hip-hop and EDM(and several subgenres of both, like speed metal, drill and melodic dubstep). I can't play the physical instruments as well as the phrases I imagine, but I'm happy with just being able to transcribe my thoughts into music. Some of the best producers out there didn't play a single instrument anyway, so it's all good as long as I keep my mind living music.

[@trombonemunroe]

Such a pleasure to watch and listen to Peter Martin play... such a great jumping off point for shed & jam ideas.

[@jonashellborg8320]

I read somewhere that neuroplasticicty, the ability for the brain to reshape itself to do new things, or current things better, doesn’t deteriorate with age. Also my experience at 46, learning drums. After 5 years at drums i’m definitely way better than at year 1, and have played paid gigs by now.

[@MrFedemoral]

Im 40 and i feel sooo stucked. Thanks Adam! this touched me

[@jega157]

69 yo rocker. Bought a classical guitar 2 years ago to learn bossa nova which led me to jazz standards/ jazz improv. Still a wonderful journey.

[@moheimer]

Right now I feel Humble and touched. Listening to what you Said … Hearing what Peter played … memories flooded my mind and tears rolled down my cheeks. I am 61, living in germany … played Keyboard in a band for years but then stopped because of „life“ … now I try to get back (or Forth?) again … but am Kind of frustrated, and „adult“ in a negative way (Similar to what you Pointed out) … thank you so much for reminding me of my „childish joy“ and „beginners mind“ … (I have to stop typing now … I hear my Keyboard calling for me 😉) … Thanks and „love you all“ …

[@weedanwine]

This is an interesting subject, I saw a study done teaching people to juggle who had never done it before selecting people of all different ages. They found that the prime time to learn something was about 17-24, but that if you're in other age ranges then your learning rate is fairly similar. All of the advice in this video is great, and will absolutely help. But the one thing children have over adults in this situation is TIME, they are time wealthy compared to adults which is why we need to be extra focused at finding time to play as adults so we can advance at the rate we want to.

[@Celestinelee11]

I will be 70 this year. Had my own piano since 50 . It's hard not to be judgmental (disappointment) at my progress. This video helps a lot. Be more gentle with myself. Thanks, you did good.

[@ThomasKobrick]

Amazing video and such an important message. Thank you, Open Studio Pro, for helping me embrace my inner beginner. I can't believe the joy that you bring to my life six days a week through the daily sessions and the one-of-a-kind community you've brought together.

[@georgejames7390]

Only starting playing 2 years ago and being 22 This will chang how I think about music forever

[@nomandad2000]

I was going to Dallas high school: Arts Magnet at Booker T Washington in 87. During lunch, went into the auditorium for a lab band performance. On stage, was our lab band, with Roy Hargrove on the right and Wynton Marsalis on the left, trading kicks and blowing the roof off of the place. I had never seen anything like it….A sensational performance I’ll never forget. That may be around the same time when Wynton discovered Roy, not sure…..RIP Roy…

[@FrankB1110]

This has concepts that can elevate any life to the next level, on any skill or thing you'll do. Such potency, you left me stunned.

[@coopdville855]

It was actually my guitar instructor who once told me that there is an "openness" to the mind prior to the age of about 15 or 16 that facilitates the capacity to learn new things such as playing a musical instrument or speaking a second language. And it kind of just disappears after that point in life, never to be seen again. But he ALSO said that it's important not to treat learning new skills after that point in life as though it's impossible or even particularly unlikely. And then he told me that Eric Clapton had never picked up a guitar until he was about 19 years old. I've never fact-checked that bit of information, though. I'm worried that he only told me that as a means of encouragement,so I just choose to believe it's true.

[@marcsullivan7987]

Clapton started learning seriously around 15, if I remember correctly

[@lkeeble]

I think the main thing is to have fun no matter how good or bad you are. If you have fun then you'll play more and then you'll improve.

[@simonliddell1897]

Sage advise Adam both for learn music as an adult and more generally for learning as an adult. What makes us age intellectually is loosing that beginners mind that open approaching. I've enjoyed all your videos but this one is especially resonate. Thank you.

[@caseym8385]

This is such good advice and inspired me as a piano teacher to help my students get involved in these missing pieces like peer group and mentorship you talk about. Thank you!

[@AlexaMorales]

Adam this video is genius on every level. Love the production and the live soundtrack by Peter! And there were some wonderful tips in there that I didn’t expect. IMHO part of why we older music students tend to feel frustrated is in part due to entitlement. Older students may have disposable income and been successful in a professional career. They literally don’t have the awareness of just how much shedding it’s going to take. For example they wouldn’t question years of studying law or medicine but forget the music can be equally demanding. I used to make this mistake of wasting my music lesson with psychological questions around practice or lack of progress. My theory now is don’t waste any precious time with a music teacher on psychology, if you need therapy go get that separately 😂 Be kind to yourself, find community like OS pro and have fun! Play on!

[@dmitry941]

Wow. I'm 26 and learning piano from scratch for a year now. I'm so glad KZbin recommended this to me. But I'll be honest - I expected some different discussion from the title. Thank you for raising such an important topic and sharing your wisdom. Definitely provides food for thought!

[@CWBella]

I belong to @OpenStudioJazz and know first-hand what a wonderful community of musicians and instructors it is. The instructors are so knowledgeable and have created an incredible culture of supportive learning. I've made musical friends from around the world, and as Adam says, we DO have each other's backs - and have a lot of fun learning together. Check it out!

[@bluecrueful]

52 year old electric bassist who never learned to sight read, and still struggling with it, but I can swing and have a decent feel and can improvise ( though it is a lifelong project learning) I discovered just recently that I have a real knack for composition- and I am having fun with it and not disgusted by what I am producing

[@thesoundsmith]

Love that picture of the Williams family outing @1:55...

[@amno1000]

You’re in my head bro! Thanks for sharing

[@ericwinter4513]

Adam, thanks so much for this video. I’ve been following the channel for a few years, and I’ve always appreciated both of your insight and ideas, but I found this video to be not just especially helpful, but especially compassionate. I’m someone who has very much gone through the peaks and valleys you describe. I got my degree in jazz, which I think makes me particularly susceptible to the pitfalls of “informationing” over playing. It also leads to incredibly high standards and what you might call “self-vibing” (I’m coining that now, but you have my blessing to use it in a future video lol). Anyhow, I found so much of what you had to say in this video to be really encouraging, so thank you again.

[@mo-music]

I resemble this remark. 😅

[@MariliaCoutinho]

Hey, Adam, I'd like to write a little essay as a comment on your video to my "audiences" - I don't think you will disapprove of it, but I wanted to ask your permission and also congratulate you on giving concise basic advice on music learning that is directly applicable to any physical skilled activity (I'm thinking sports and dance here) and even scholarly work. I wish first year graduate students on *any* field could watch it, and then again the day after they defend their dissertations. I wish athletes, exercise scientists and coaches watched it. Thank you!

[@0000song0000]

Frogs,🙈 in my case trying to put myself again into "beginner years" is quite painful. I knew by age 4 I wanted to be a musician, and landed myself the gig of glockenspiel - girl on the Fall recital 😅 got a used keyboard for Christmas that year and within weeks my grandma threw it to the garbage bin 😢 I remember myself crying my eyes out asking neighbors to hand it back to me on our gate, while my grandma told them nevermind... So, my relationship with piano, my very first love, always has that memory imprinted... By the time I turned 11 I got myself a guitar, and while being locked down on closets, and constantly grounded and bullied, my relationship with guitar never got as bitter as with piano (I left my guitar at school to keep it safe)... but then I was constantly reprehend by teachers cause "why don't you practice at home!" and I couldn't tell them playing music was banned at my house 🙆🏻 (yeap, they threw away the record player, and my only way to listen to music was at school, one classmates' dad gave me his old Sony walkman because they actually noticed 🤷🏻 while the rest of the adults thought I was exaggerating)

[@7deepbreaths.sounds]

Don't know when this vid was made, but that "Hit Me Peter Martin!" is the "shizzle"... & yes, you are VERY, VERY, VERY fortunate to have Peter Martin at arms reach!

[@orkdal7]

This is the best piece of advice about learning I've heard. I was already thinking half of these things and you just affirmed them. Being part of the music community is one of the most exciting things in the world - playing with people, learning from each other and having a mentor is all about that ❤ I feel very encouraged after this video - thanks you :)

[@MichaelLynMusic]

Great Video Sir...from my journeys it seems also to be about NEW Neural Pathways...and the young mind is an empty "psychic sponge"...unhindered by all other adult responsibilities... {of course their are the physical aspects of the muscles of the hand and their young/or older already formed aspects too}...but music IS just like Martial Arts...there MUST BE a beginners mind at all times to grow...

[@charlesmccormick2625]

Very intentional self-talk without flagellation. Play for fun, for self, and deadlines place urgency into your process!

[@TheThreatenedSwan]

People say this about language too, and it's like, no, as an adult, if you put in the same amount or time as a kid learning that language, you would reach the level of a 12 years old in a fraction of the time. It's a total myth that children are quicker or more creative that is perpetuated by average adults. Another key factor to this is children can easily be forced into all kinds of areas they would not select into in adulthood. So yes, in that sense it is nurture. You can make a child become better at an instrument than they would ever choose to become as an adult

[@enobongthomas1138]

You guys are so helpful and creative...

[@gaylepinderhughes7166]

Thank you so much for this video. You have affirmed my intuitions as I have started to work on learning an instrument from scratch with a teacher, exercises, etc. (Not really working.). I had concluded what would be best is just to play around with the instrument for a while rather than taking formal "lessons.". This video is excellent and right on time. Thanks again.

[@jayumble8390]

This is such a great video and Open Studio is the best!! My situation is this, was a guitarist all my life was divorced at age 62, quit playing all together for 5 years...didn't touch the guitar, didn't listen to music, threw tons of music literally in the trash, sold almost every piece of equipment I owned, etc. figured I'd never touch the guitar again. Then 2 months ago I was checking out a Pat Martino video Live at Ethel's and I thought maybe I'll just pick up my strat (one of two guitars I kept) and try to play something. btw, I studies 2 years with Pat in the early 80's so I am down with his improv. system and what have you. But anyway, I didn't know if I could remember anything at all let alone re-connecting with my chops, etc. Now at 67 I'm having more non-attached legitimate fun with the guitar and yes, I'm approaching it like a kid. Being away from playing for 5 years has completely changed the way I approach the instrument. I'm just having all out fun now.

[@dualwreckterfire666]

This is my favorite sermon ever!

[@apian29]

Brought me to tears. Brilliant speech and beautiful playing in the background

[@iceykid2]

This video is right on time . I started saxophone in quarantine and everyone else has been playing for decades so I feel behind 😭😭

[@lucasthompson5389]

thank you Adam and Peter for this message, it was exactly what I needed to hear.

[@UwU-yq2zw]

it's always great to hear that my struggles are common. i was always obsessed that i need to know all the theory before i start doing something. now i will try to just take more fun from playing guitar and making beats. thank you!

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

So, you mention that "it's nurture!" ... you are not wrong. As a behaviour analyst, I can confirm that it is whatever happens in the environment that sets up for learning and reinforces that learning (at least if organised correctly).

[@thomasmarcelmusic5878]

Man you got me on my feet! I saw you and Brian Owens do a masterclass during my undergrad at Webster a few years ago about similar topics and it left an impression on me. This video is a nice reminder, thanks Adam.

[@jonnuanez7183]

I started playing guitar in April 1987, at 15 y.o. Chords were hard to form with my hand. Switching between chords was tricky. Guitar lines were 3-4 notes at best. But pppfffttt I'm in it to win it, and it was my dream. Guitar just fit, so in no way was I giving up. Wasn't even a thought. Thanksgiving of that year, we go to a relative's house for the holiday food. I was invited to bring my equipment and set up in their garage. I tore through everything I knew and lots that I didn't. It was like a switch. Even I was surprised. I know I'm giving a rock reference and this is more of a jazz channel, but it still refers to the young mind thinking you're not getting anywhere and then one day the clouds part. It's magic. And kinda bizarre lol.

[@SilverTheFlame]

This might be my favorite video on KZbin. Wow. So much insight, motivation, and killer backing music by Peter Martin.

[@gypsycat26]

Hi Adam, Thanks for this video. It hits home on so many levels. It's easy to get distracted with all the noise that's in our minds and the outside noise in world. It's important to center ourselves and remember our connection to music.

[@thomassicard3733]

Adam... May I sum it up as: We need to ALLOW ourselves to become what we desire.

[@MATTHEWS_IXXI]

This the most powerful and need word I needed today, thank you

[@jrob8071]

Thanks for a great message. I’m 49, and I play for fun but just now learning jazz principles. My biggest obstacle is my mindset! This is inspiring me to go practice with FUN. Hit me, Peter Martin!

[@basmster1]

This was awesome!! Thank you Open Studio

[@DojoOfCool]

Thank you so much you have no idea how much I needed to hear things you said. Been in a musical funk and not sure what to do and the answers are in there. Thanks again.

[@DeyquanBowens]

I love these guys! I’m about to share this with my community! Good luck to you man and I hope you get out of your funk soon! Believe it or not, I’m in a funk as well! I need to reach out to my mentor! 🙏🏾

[@L.F.Carpede]

Beautiful. Very insightful. Thank you. Much appreciated

[@bertramblik8826]

Thank you! I'm 32, I needed this so much! But what I need now is a peer group, to play more and scheduled gigs.

[@martindavis3239]

I am 86 yo and really appreciated that advice.I started saxophone practice 15 months ago and can hear myself thinking- I,m never going to sound like Hodges,Desmond, Getz. But I realise now a PMA and play around more with your current music whatever it is will free up your inhibitions and allow you to progress.

[@herbiejames4785]

I Love you Adam......(*oh and Peter too.). As Always.....Great advise.

[@marymissmary]

I’m a baby piano student at age 48. I have my first piano recital next month😊. Love your content!

[@scratchesonajazzkeyboard1681]

Great advice. I'm trying to "play around" to get better at improvisation. Granted there are lots of technical steps to practice, like enclosures and chord tones, but just playing around often leads to a line that I really like and that reminds me of the keyboardists that I'd like to emulate (BG Adair). I'm on another online teaching site at the moment but I think this one will be next.

[@nathaniverson6828]

Adam... I just want to give you a hug. Platonically but a hug none the less.

[@CBFresh]

Thanks a bunch for this man. Music has been with me my whole life, but I've never really been able to push through and get serious about it.

[@blunderbuss-n6n]

I've searched forever for a channel like this!

[@rr13431]

My advice is find a song that you can easily play then play the heck out of it then play it for (or with) friends. My beginner song was Horse With No Name by America. Being able to play it along with the radio motivated me to keep going for another 50 years.

[@couchphotography8861]

Hi Adam, you are talking about a perfect world here. When I was at school, in the UK in the 1950's I was given a silly triangle to play, when I really wanted to find out about the big piece of furniture in the corner with the black and white teeth....after being threatened with having the lid slammed down on my fingers if I even went near the thing, no wonder it took me an awfully long time before I could find a piano without a threatening ogre looming around it. It didn't take me long to figure out that these so-called music teachers were the devil personified and should be avoided...mentors?? no such thing...Fast forward to Canada, I am now playing sax in a band, and I have my very own accoustic piano, with the lid firmly up at all times, and having had to teach myself pretty much all I know. Kids today have no idea how privileged they are....

[@garrygivens1680]

When this video first started, it felt like I was in Praise and worship at a church. What you guys were doing is not too far from what musicians do at a CCM or Baptist/pentecostal oriented church during the Praise and worship segment of the service whether you realize it or not.

[@aw8ke111]

I absolutely needed to hear this! Thank you for this gift!!

[@owen_engepretzel1894]

2:33 woah, those chords!

[@chrisheynen1784]

Thank you so much, I just had a really sh*t practice session and this video was exactly what I needed!

[@ireneguilford7861]

Loved the video. Really helpful. Thank you so much.

[@johnbalbuena7264]

Just what I needed . I’ve gotten away from open studio. But fellas, I’m back!!

[@TheColdHarshTruth]

I couldn’t agree with this more! This has always been my default mindset in life with everything! 😂 I’ve been on this channel everyday for months, and today I discovered this video! This channel keeps getting better and better! I am definitely signing up at some point soon! Cheers! And greetings from Scotland! 🍻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏🏽🤍🤘🏽

[@rojasantiago89]

Wow... Pure wisdom... Thanks 🙏

[@adamcrary1602]

I would say that this is mostly easy truth, and definitely very valuable… It just foesnt seem like a “ hard truth”

[@simonkm]

I love your stuff. Thank you a trillion times.

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

These are facts... beginners...Play more😊