J M Music

14/03/2026

I only have a few photos from the Eskdale Festival of the Arts, but I'm so proud of each and every one of my students. Whether they came away with a certificate or not, they all played with confidence and were very well prepared. What a great opportunity to perform in public, and they did it so well! Fantastic 😁

09/03/2026

Just wanted to celebrate one of my talented students Andrew, who recently passed his grade 2 piano exam with a merit! Well done Andrew and here's to many more 👏

07/03/2026

That was a whirlwind of a week, culminating in a headache, but finished off with a bit of escapism (watching The Feeling in Leeds). On Thursday I was extremely proud watching students play at the Eskdale Festival, every one of them playing at their very best. There was some stiff competition, but it's not about the competing, as I often say we're all climbing a different mountain, but they were well prepared, they performed perfectly and their hard work paid off. Well done to everyone, and good luck to those waiting to perform this coming week. You'll smash it 💪

26/02/2026

I'm sharing three photos from a very recent trip to Lanzarote. The first photo is at the bottom, the second half way up, and the last from the top. It got me thinking about achievement in music. This next few weeks I have some of my piano pupils and a choir entered into a festival where they will showcase their achievements.
I wanted to climb this great volcano (Montaña Rojo) because it would be a great achievement, and I would make memories I would never forget. There were moments when I didn't fancy it. Why? All of a sudden I didn't think I could do it. Standing at the bottom it seemed so much bigger. So much harder. But I kept imagining the breathtaking view from the top, and trundled on, step by step.
I want to wish all of my young pupils this next few weeks, the very best of luck. And remember, when you're doubting yourself, feeling overwhelmed, that you're not good enough, it's too big a mountain to climb, take that first step! Keep stepping until you get to the top. Then, when you're stood there listening to the applause, that is the pinnacle. Take in the breathtaking view and breathe. All your hard work is worth it. Coming away with a medal or certificate is not the point. The point is getting to the best you can be. There will be more mountains to climb, even bigger ones, but you've done it. And you will again.

27/01/2026

Something to cheer the day. Wishing for a bit of sunshine 🌞

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! All the very best for 2026.
Let's make it a good one!

29/12/2025

This guy amazes me. What a great musician and also a reminder...Where there's a will, there's a way!

24/12/2025

18/12/2025

So true. I would also like to add that some do pick it up quicker than others, and it's crucial not to compare ones self to another. We are all individual learners. The outcome may be the same, but it takes most 'normal' people a long time to get there. Be comitted, don't compare, and relish in the small improvements.

I saw a FB post today where someone was asking how he could speed up the process of learning the piano.

Good luck with that, sunshine.

It’s like these “get fluent in a language in three months” ruses. Insanity.

The complexity of learning a skill like playing the piano is off the scale. Aside from the physicality of actually playing, the complexity of the coordination and cognitive changes that must occur is utter madness. It takes years. It’s absolutely marvellous.

Same with learning languages. Aside from rattling around with French for the last three years, I’ve recently come back to Spanish, which really I’ve not worked for over sixteen years.

Sometimes it’s overwhelming to think how much work I need to put in to develop properly. Hours every week of listening, speaking, watching stuff and reading, bits of grammar (because I’m self taught, and have many grammar gaps), vocabulary revision. No amount of piddling around on Duolingo is going to turn me into a more confident and fluent speaker.

Point is:

You have to be attached to the process, and not the outcome. I’m still learning how to play the piano. I’ll never stop. Good job I love it. I’ll never say I’ve got there.

When you’re attached to the outcome, you will live in a constant state of not being enough.

When you can sit, however, and unpick little bits of music, and revel in the sound and the gradual development; when you can love the music and see it as a long term relationship with a piece rather than a quick fling, a consumption of the music before moving on to something else to feed your hungry, gobbling gremlin that is your need for accomplishment personified….

…well, only then will you be a pianist, my
son.

Dodgy Kipling reference, but you know where I’m coming from.

14/12/2025

Naughty elf has been busy making treat bags this weekend...minus a few chocolates 🤣

14/12/2025

I came in to the studio this morning to this...