The new normal of social distancing and face masks sometimes makes it feel like we’ll never be back to regular classes, or in-person recitals where the whole family comes to cheer you on, or even be able to hug our grandparents without worrying. If normal life is stressful, how can we deal with that plus the added stress of a pandemic?
I’m turning to my tried and true stress reliever – making music. In these moments it’s not about practicing and perfecting for me, it’s about feeling the words, the music, and all the emotions that the artist packaged into a song. When my own emotions feel overwhelming, I borrow someone else’s. Lately I’ve needed songs that help me feel powerful, and ones that let me feel sad to balance what life throws at me these days.
Practicing and performing music helps us understand the world around us, gives us perspective, and lets us escape all at once. We can see our favorite artists doing this exact thing during quarantine. They’re embracing new and creative ways to make music together, rather than waiting for everything to return to normal. They’re giving us their understanding and emotional response to the fear and pain we’re all feeling. It was likely therapeutic for them and they want the same for their listeners.
Create, perform, practice, feel. Share your music with others and save any worries about having a perfect performance for your lessons. We’re here to help you keep improving and learning from these moments.
What music gets you through your stressful times?