TrumpetMaster - View Single Post

Tootsall · 12-14-2003, 09:37 PM

Why should (or would) anyone want to learn to play any instrument (particularly trumpet) when they are an adult and might have never played ANY instrument before in their lives?

A cat named Abraham Maslow came up with a theory of human beings and their needs. He postulated that humans have needs which are based on a relatively broad and basic foundation and get narrower and more precise as you "climb the pyramid".

Maslow's theory counters the rather depressing theories of Freud and Skinner in that he (Maslow) felt that people are basically trustworthy, self-protecting, and self-governing. Humans tend toward growth and love.

At the base of the hierarchy is the need for Physiological Needs. Read this as meaning SURVIVAL. The most basic human instinct is to LIVE.

The next tier is "Safety". We want our "world" to be stable and consistent. We want the security of home and family.

Next up from the bottom is "Love". We want to belong to clubs, social organisations, religious groups, even gangs.

The second from top need is for Esteem. As we get older, our careers are established. We most likely are relatively safe and have stable lives involving family, a home, etc. But something is missing. We need to feel good about ourselves and this can come from both self-esteem and from the praise of others.

The final and highest need is that of "Self-Actualization". We want to "be all that we can be". Generally this is acquired through artistic endeavour. Once again, the lower needs have been satisfied but we are still restlessly seeking something more. We feel something burning inside that wants OUT. If you've been the kind of person who could never walk past a musical instrument without feeling a "tug", or the urge to just "reach out and try it"...then music IS for you.

Your career is established, you have family (or peers) who support you. By learning an instrument you put yourself in a position to join a band (remember the "Love" and "Esteem" things?). You are giving yourself something that you can carry into retirement that is socially acceptable, low risk (safety-wise), doesn't have to cost a lot of money, and that can truly make you feel GOOD about yourself. Those "restless demons" are quieted!

You have time to practice. You can afford a decent instrument. You are mature enough to realize that the magic won't happen overnight but that it will probably arrive in tiny increments. You might even be wise enough to realize that you can learn things from someone who might be younger than yourself! But after a couple of years, with diligent work, the magic WILL happen.

I'll be posting a couple of specifics that have happened to me since I picked up my first trumpet at age 50. Magic things that make me feel GOOD about myself! You can do the same with your life. You can bring a smile to someone else's face at the same time...make them forget for that one brief moment, whatever might have been bothering them.

And that's what it's all about. Why not start now? After all, you still have at least half of your life left...and probably the most productive half at that!

12-14-2003, 09:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tootsall Fortissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yee HAW! Posts: 4,641	Why Should I Start NOW? Why should (or would) anyone want to learn to play any instrument (particularly trumpet) when they are an adult and might have never played ANY instrument before in their lives? A cat named Abraham Maslow came up with a theory of human beings and their needs. He postulated that humans have needs which are based on a relatively broad and basic foundation and get narrower and more precise as you "climb the pyramid". Maslow's theory counters the rather depressing theories of Freud and Skinner in that he (Maslow) felt that people are basically trustworthy, self-protecting, and self-governing. Humans tend toward growth and love. At the base of the hierarchy is the need for Physiological Needs. Read this as meaning SURVIVAL. The most basic human instinct is to LIVE. The next tier is "Safety". We want our "world" to be stable and consistent. We want the security of home and family. Next up from the bottom is "Love". We want to belong to clubs, social organisations, religious groups, even gangs. The second from top need is for Esteem. As we get older, our careers are established. We most likely are relatively safe and have stable lives involving family, a home, etc. But something is missing. We need to feel good about ourselves and this can come from both self-esteem and from the praise of others. The final and highest need is that of "Self-Actualization". We want to "be all that we can be". Generally this is acquired through artistic endeavour. Once again, the lower needs have been satisfied but we are still restlessly seeking something more. We feel something burning inside that wants OUT. If you've been the kind of person who could never walk past a musical instrument without feeling a "tug", or the urge to just "reach out and try it"...then music IS for you. Your career is established, you have family (or peers) who support you. By learning an instrument you put yourself in a position to join a band (remember the "Love" and "Esteem" things?). You are giving yourself something that you can carry into retirement that is socially acceptable, low risk (safety-wise), doesn't have to cost a lot of money, and that can truly make you feel GOOD about yourself. Those "restless demons" are quieted! You have time to practice. You can afford a decent instrument. You are mature enough to realize that the magic won't happen overnight but that it will probably arrive in tiny increments. You might even be wise enough to realize that you can learn things from someone who might be younger than yourself! But after a couple of years, with diligent work, the magic WILL happen. I'll be posting a couple of specifics that have happened to me since I picked up my first trumpet at age 50. Magic things that make me feel GOOD about myself! You can do the same with your life. You can bring a smile to someone else's face at the same time...make them forget for that one brief moment, whatever might have been bothering them. And that's what it's all about. Why not start now? After all, you still have at least half of your life left...and probably the most productive half at that!