Music - developing the mind, broadening the outlook

We are not interested in the fact that the brain has the consistency of cold porridge. (Alan Turing)

Wacky guy that Alan Turing. In essence, he is saying: it is not what it is, but what it can do that is important. A friend alerted me to the article (link below) from the Guardian and so I thought I would write an off-topic post (well not on IT) on one of my favorite pastimes - playing music. It has great (and perhaps slightly unexpected) benefits beyond making your porridge more functional.

I started learning the violin about a decade and a half ago. A difficult instrument you say? For sure. But sufficiently different from the hurly-burly of life in helping to run an IT MSP/Professional Services company as you can get. Fortunately after a few years learning classical technique from a very patient teacher, I found a marvelous teacher of Irish Fiddle tradition who specialized in adult learners.

He went out of his way to get all his students involved in concerts, in ensembles, but mostly playing in front of people as much as possible. And I have to say, that is very daunting at first. He made a few comments one day about the experience of "busking" and the rest is, as they say, history. I went off to the City of Melbourne, did their induction training, and got my "license to thrill".

So for the last two years, I have busked solo on the streets of Melbourne, down at South Bank, in the CBD and on the streets of the suburbs here and there. Some suburbs are great and the local councils encourage buskers. Not so strangely in these burbs, the people seem to get it and appreciate the street entertainment. I have also been able to donate my time as a wandering minstrel at a few community "open days". To be frank, I am not a great player, but, well read on.

I am not it for the money. But I do get a lot out of the experience. It is about getting over the anxiety about performing in front of the public. And also learning to entertain people. I get a look of great feedback from people, who walk by and smile. I was chatting with a neighbor once and I asked her "when would she drop some money in a buskers cap". The reply was "if they make me smile". So I try to aim for that.

I am loath to draw an analogy here, but it is a bit like customer interactions, you only get a brief window of opportunity to "delight".

Some people do stop and chat. Some because they like Irish music. I have had a few older people, one woman from Wales for instance, who just loved it because although it was not the music of Wales, it still brings back memories of the old home. On a few occasions, people do a little jig or step or two. That is a real hit with me.

Young kids are great. Some just stop in their tracks, fascinated, upon seeing a fiddle player. If it inspires them to pick up a violin, in this era of smartphones and tablets, then all the better.

But I have had one or two parents stop with their child. And then learn from them that their child is autistic. That, for me, pulls at the heart strings and what do you do but be inspired to play on for all you are worth. If the child gets some enjoyment from listening then it has been a great bit of "busking" and a special memory for all to take home that day.

As you probably know there are some buskers out there who are doing it tough. Being a fellow musician has given me the opportunity to get to know a one or two of these people by name. Some I might only see every other from Saturday. But at least we can now exchange a few comments about how "the crowd is today" and how they are going. Becoming accepted as part of the street folk is also rather special.

So learning music (as the article points) out, is a great way to develop the mind (and the outlook). I encourage you all to grab a guitar, mandolin, or a piano (maybe not the fiddle) and find a teacher. It may take a few years, but the results can be amazing.

The Guardian article on Music developing the mind.

And here is my Mor O'Mallie facebook page. If you live in or around Central Victoria here is Sean's site for learning Irish Fiddle.

PS AlanTuring also played the violin.