Go On

It occurred to me this morning that skill levels are not as important as doing it.  I play the piano.  I am not being unduly modest in saying I am not a good piano player.  There are those that are way better than me.  In fact, probably most are.
The thing is though I would do it in a public setting.  I knew basic chords and depended on people knowing the melody to sing songs.  I would sometimes do a lead in just so people knew where the song was at and they could take it from there.
I knew chords and would basically ad lib.  Mostly that was ok.  In time I could pick up the melody line.  I was in one setting where the leader said we will do it properly at the start and then ad lib.  I felt out of place because ad libbing was all I could do initially.
I would try to get it right and spent time trying to improve, but what mattered most to me is I would provide a platform.  I would play with other musio’s and readily accepted that they were better on their chosen instrument than I was on the piano.  Even if they were not, it did not matter.  What mattered is we were doing it.  The thing is too, the more often I did it, the better I got. 
What I like about that is people were willing to use their skill for the enjoyment of others.  Most are not critically analysing each note.  Most are just grateful to have a vehicle they can sing to.
A group of us were playing in a hall one time and people were playing indoor bowls in the next room.  We knew none of them from a bar of soap.  They told us later how much they enjoyed the music.  I’ve heard of people putting a chair outside their home so they could listen to the music.  Music seems to be a universal language.
The point for me is I admire people that give it a go.  All the better if they are skilful already, but I do not see it as a pre-requisite.  What matters to me is enthusiastically embracing something and letting the results take care of themselves.  Doors can only ever be walked through by those ready to walk through an open door.
So many have hidden talent that remains hidden.  There can be legitimate reasons but often hiding my talent is an excuse.  It may seem like humility, but often that can be a cloak for not trying anything.  The way I think many of us learn is by trying and failing and trying again.  I get it right if I keep trying.
We knew a guy that was a you beaut trumpeter.  He was designated to play the last post.  Unfortunately some things conspired against him (like the wind) and there were some really off notes.  But that did not stop him.  It is better to try and fail than to not try at all.  Of course, it is best nothing untoward happens and often it does not – but it can.
At that point the choice is mine.  Give up or go on.  I gravitate to those that go on.