‍MUSIC MATTERS

‍Make time every day to listen to music. From Rossini's William Tell Overture to Duke Ellington's Take The A Train. From Beethoven's Fur Elise to Al Simmons' I Collect Rocks (Hey - that's me!). Sound quality is of utmost importance. Find the best sound system available. Even if it is just a large "boom box."

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‍Some music should be listened to with no distractions. If there are funny lyrics, put on some headphones, then sit and listen and laugh along. Some music stirs the soul; other music needs to be danced to. Play a wide variety of music while you are drawing, painting or cleaning up.

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‍Have daily "Jam Sessions," even if it is only hand clapping and foot stomping. Have one group of people keep time by pounding out a loud steady beat while everyone else claps on the off beat and improvises.

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‍If you are playing music with other people think of it as a conversation. Leave gaps in your "dialogue" so that someone else can "say" something - especially if your instrument happens to be the loudest.

© Al Simmons 2025
www.alsimmons.com