🎵 Daily Reflection 013 – Does Music Need a Purpose?

Mathew Creedon

24h • 🌿 Daily Reflection.

Today's reflection might feel a little uncomfortable... but sometimes those are the ones that change us the most.

Take a moment to ask yourself:

Why did you start learning music?

For me, the answer was pretty simple.

When I was a kid, I thought girls liked guitar players!

There was no great mystery to it. I wanted music to give me something. Love. Attention. Approval. A sense of identity.

As I grew older, I realised I wasn't alone.

Many of us begin learning music because we hope it will make us somebody. We imagine becoming the hero who finally masters that difficult piece, impresses an audience or proves something to ourselves.

But here's a question that completely changes the conversation...

What if music didn't need a purpose?

What if it didn't need to make you successful?

What if it didn't need to make you important?

What if music was simply... music?

At first, that idea can feel unsettling.

If music doesn't complete our identity, then what are we striving for?

The mind doesn't like that question.

It quickly fills the space with stories.

"I'm not talented enough."

"This piece is too difficult."

"I'll never be able to play like that."

Notice something.

Those thoughts aren't coming from the music.

They're coming from your interpretation of the music.

Fear isn't a feature of the notes.

It's a thought.

And I'd even go as far as saying it's one of the poorest guesses the mind can make. It imagines danger before it understands what's actually happening.

If you're going to use something to guide your musical journey, I wouldn't recommend fear.

I'd recommend curiosity.

I'd recommend common sense.

I'd recommend experience.

🎵 Today's Practice

Choose a piece of music.

Before you play a single note, spend one minute simply looking at it.

Notice every story your mind creates.

Don't fight the thoughts.

Don't judge them.

Just notice them.

Then quietly remind yourself: