I repeatedly hear about the futility of being attached to outcomes in life. In fact, attachment seems the surest way to suck all the fun out of something. I have learned this hard way again and again, especially in my music career. In fact, one of the primary benefits of this blog has been that I get to be creative in a way that is fun for me… ie, free of attachment!
Fortunately, when it comes to music, there are quite a few areas where I have excelled; that is, where my desire translated into successful execution and I enjoyed the experience and the outcomes*. This sounds like non-attachment to me. Let’s see if they pass the test.
These areas are:
- music composition
- piano accompaniment
- private piano shows (private functions, house concerts, and retirement homes)
- teaching piano
- being in a rock n’ roll band
- writing love songs for my wife
- writing for musical theater
Okay, let’s look at each of these!
Music Composition:
I love writing music. It is so fun! I have written a lot of music. I look forward to pleasing new opportunities unfolding around writing music.
Non-attachment test: Clearly no attachment here! Just appreciation and anticipation.
Piano Accompaniment:
While I never aspired to accompany singers, I always fell into it naturally. I’m good at it. I have played a lot of plays, I have taught a lot of singers. I got the skill set, and the love of musical theater especially that this fits for
Non-attachment test: No attachment! In fact, a bit of indifference, but that comes across as open.
Private Piano Shows:
I have had a lot of fun playing for hundreds and hundreds of audiences over the years, from house parties to retirement homes. Lots of fun, lots of good times, lots of happy audiences. I thrive off a personal connection in a comfortable environment.
Non-attachment test: No attachment here! Just confidence and appreciation.
Teaching Piano:
Teaching piano has been a god-send. I love it. I love working with students. It is a great source of joy, of creativity, of contributing to others, and of community. It also feels good to be a mentor, a natural role for me.
Non-attachment test: Indeed, no attachment. Lots of appreciation and ownership.
Rock n’ Roll Band:
Some of my biggest and most exciting gigs were in a band. It felt good in many respects. The camaraderie with the other guys in the band was really cool. It feels good to be on a team. Lots of fun in many ways.
Non-attachment test: Nope. Just fun, appreciation, and joy of community.
Love Songs for Wife:
To date, this is has definitely been my most successful ongoing songwriting gig to date 😉 Lots of love expressed over the years, and lots of fun, lots of craftsmanship put into this, and many songs I am quite proud of. Accomplishment, generosity, love, and joy.
Non-attachment test:Definitely not attached. Loving, appreciation, and accomplishment.
Writing for Musical Theater:
Whenever I have done this it has seemed very natural, very fun, and very cool! I love it. Eager to do more!
Non-attachment test:Definitely not. Eager for more, and in my element.
Conclusion: This proves that the things in my music career that have worked the best are things where I feel no attachment to outcome. Instead, I feel a lot of enthusiasm, joy, eagerness, and alignment in these areas.
Kinda makes it easy to say “More please” 🙂
*I just created my own definition of to excel, expressed as this equation:
excelling = desire + successful execution + joyful experience + positive outcomes
Seems a lot like alignment to me 🙂