by Peter Muir Ph.D. Dip.I.M.H.
 
© Peter Muir 2005
No part of this article may be repoduced without the consent of the author.
There is music and there is Music.

By “music” – with a small “m” – we mean the technical aspects – knowing how to play the instruments and sing the songs correctly, with the right notes and the right rhythm.

By “Music” – with a large “M” – we mean the whole other side which makes music so special – feeling, personality, expression, etc.

Students will respond far more to teaching which emphasizes Music over music. That is they will respond to the warmth, enthusiasm and sincerity of Music-making much more than whether we are singing in tune or playing the right notes.

It is a sad fact that most people who are taught instruments give them up very quickly. The reason for this is usually because of an overemphasis in the teaching of music at the expense of Music. What started out as fun and a means of personal expression rapidly becomes a matter of mechanical scale-practice and note-learning.

We are therefore concerned with developing and integrating both sides of the equation. Not everyone can be a great musical technician – musical virtuosi are rare. But everyone can be a great Musician, and inspire others to love and enjoy Music.  If your goal is to use Music not just as another skill to be learnt or as entertainment but as a way to enhance your life, you must focus on the Music, big “M,” not small “m.” Our prime aim  is to help you develop the Music in you.