Music is Bigger Than You Think
Music is not something we learn by simply following rules or memorising notes. Teachers can’t truly “teach” you music in the way you might think; they can only guide you, show you possibilities, and help you discover your own voice/path. The essence of music is so much bigger than that. It’s a force, a living, breathing entity that connects us to something beyond ourselves. Singers aren’t just singing notes—they’re channelling emotions, stories, and energy through their instrument. The music itself is already within you.
The Music is Inside You
There’s a misconception that music is something external to us, something we need to seek or acquire. In reality, the music is already there, deep inside you. But we have to learn how to express it. It’s as much about story as it is about technique. The music pulses through all of us and some of us learn how to tune into it to let it out.
Learn Through Doing
Like any language, we learn music by immersing ourselves in it, by doing it—not by overthinking or waiting for the perfect moment. When we surround ourselves with music, we absorb it in ways we don’t even realize. It’s like learning to speak a new language: at first, we might struggle to find the right words, but the more we listen, the more we speak, the more natural it becomes. The same is true for music. The more you play, the more you jam with people who already speak the language, the easier it becomes to communicate through music.
Embrace the Spirit of Improvisation
As children, we don’t hesitate to improvise—we explore, experiment, and play without fear of failure. We are just focused on expressing something. Why should that change when we get older? Music isn’t just about playing what’s written; it’s about creating, responding, and exploring. To grow as a musician, you need to embrace the same spirit of play and experimentation that children have. So play with others. You’ll learn more from improvising and having fun with music than from any textbook or theory. It’s in the listening, the responding, the spontaneous creation, that we discover ways to express ourselves. When you put yourself in the space of collaboration and creativity, growth comes naturally.
The Call and Response Exercise
Music can be like having a conversation— Imagine this: I sing a phrase and you simply answer…. there are a million billion ways in which you can answer, none are wrong, they are either present or not, expressive or not, connected or not, and either is fine, it’s a journey of exploration and discovery.
Please Know
Musicians can get absolutely hyper focused on pitch and key but please know that expression, groove, feel, vibe, these things are just as important.
Start the Conversation
If you’d like support developing your musicianship and expressive voice, I’d love to help. I work as a vocal coach in London and online, supporting singers as they grow through doing.
