Beginning a Relationship with Music

As a kid I was drawn to playing music. I remember picking up a flute, or drum, or whatever instrument I was into at the time and playing it for a bit, then doing whatever other activities I was into and then doodling on the instrument some more, then putting putting it down and picking it up and so on. No matter what else I was into I was always drawn back to music. I was drawn back because, like dancing, music touches something in us that is ancient and universal, natural and organic, and it is deeply satisfying. 

As kids the "right way" and "wrong way" stories our culture hands us are still vague and that is super beneficial when starting a relationship with music. Because the truth is, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to create music. Music is a journey and, like all journeys, there isn't anywhere to get to. There may be places we want to visit, things we want to take with us, and things we want to leave behind, but there are no "right" or "wrong" ways to walk the endless paths.

From a very young age music has always been here for me, always seen me and moved me, encouraged me and held me. I am deeply grateful that as a child someone handed me an instrument and said, "here, this is for you, you can play this." I am deeply grateful that my dad later handed me a flute and said, "here, this will help you express yourself when words fail you." I am deeply grateful to be wandering these paths, to be a part of the ancient and the universal. I am deeply grateful for music. 

- Jonah Mulski

We have more resources for teaching kids to play the flute on our Fluting for the Family page, found here.