What I learned from a Street Musician

Street performers aren’t what they used to be. I remember when I was younger, I could go to the city and if there was a big event going on, I would see Frank. A baseball game, a concert, a street fair, or a flea market, if it drew a lot of people, Frank was there with his saxophone and his case open for tips. I never had the courage to talk to him because under my rules for street performers, he might steal my wallet or have somebody else do it.

Later, right out of college, I took a job at a local music store. Frank would come in once a week, buy a box of reeds, complain about the price, and be on his way. Every now and then, he would pick up another instrument in the store and play it as if he had played for years. After a few months of talking to Frank, I later found out that he didn’t fit the stereotype of a street performer.

He lived in a nice, middle class neighborhood and somehow, the money he collected in his saxophone case for playing “Moon River” or some other favorite, was enough to live on. It completely changed my idea of musicians. It taught me, a college trained musician with two music degrees, that music is truly accessible to everybody but I learned something more important: Frank seemed to love music more than I did. He felt it where I played it. He talked about it as if it was a woman he loved where I talked about it as if it came from a textbook. What did he know that I didn’t? There was only one way to find out so I asked and here’s what he told me.

Listen as a Lover

You might be practicing for a concert or a recital and that requires hours of painstaking work where you scrutinize each note and rhythm. That’s certainly appropriate but what do you listen to for fun? I’m amazed at how many musicians never listen as they did when the fell in love with music in the first place. Always take time to listen. Attend concerts and listen as somebody who loves music. Don’t analyze it. Who cares if somebody misses a note. Just listen and enjoy.

Find the Joy in Practicing

It takes a lot of discipline to do something you don’t enjoy and unfortunately practicing feels that way sometimes. Always take time to play something you enjoy. Maybe it’s a piece you learned a long time ago but still know well. Make it a reward at the end of a long practice session. If you’re getting frustrated, stop what you’re doing and play for enjoyment and then go back to the harder work.

Have Musical Friends

Music is best enjoyed together. Even soloists often perform with others. Talk to people online, attend concerts with friends, hang out at a music store, or go to a coffee shop where somebody is performing. Talking to others about music is refreshing and it often leads to learning something new about the craft.

Bottom Line

Frank, the saxophone player I would see leaning up against a building with his case open for tips, taught me to never forget to love music as a listener. I even dare say that he taught me more than many college professors. Knowing my scales is important but holding on to the love that I have for music is far more important. It’s a lot easier to practice and attend weekly lessons when I remember that the bigger purpose is being able to outwardly express what I already feel inside. Thanks, Frank!

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