Having a deep-seeded love of music is one of life’s simplest and yet greatest pleasures. Whether you have an appreciation for hearing and supporting music, or you have a passion for creating it yourself, there will be few things as rewarding. If you grow to love music as a kid, it will follow you throughout your whole life.

If you are anywhere between grades one and six, chances are you have met the recorder: a simple way to learn basic notes and songs. Maybe you love playing it, or maybe you find it boring. Whatever you feel, in a bit we’ll talk about ways to get the most out of your time with the instrument. When I was in grades five and six—along with being introduced to the recorder—my elementary school provided classes with a ‘music period’. This was my absolute most favorite class, and I was not alone. Our teacher Mr. B would sit on a wooden stool in front of the class with a guitar balanced on his knee. We would sing along to songs like “If I Had a Million Dollars,” “House of the Rising Sun” and “Puff the Magic Dragon.” There is something about collaborating and creating that makes school so meaningful and—dare I say it—Fun!

Depending on your school, typically band classes will be offered starting in grades six or seven. Here, you’ll get to choose an instrument (like the flute, saxophone, percussion etc.) For some, this part of school isn’t fun because it seems like homework…like your being forced to do it. Don’t let school have that kind of power over you. This is YOUR time. YOU get to pick the instrument, and maybe your teacher decides what you play at school—but at home…YOU’RE the conductor.

Ways to find your own musical inspiration:

• If you play an instrument (even if it’s the recorder!) find some sheet music outside of school. Songs you love! Google search free sheet music or buy some with your allowance. Do you love The Beatles? The internet is full of free sheet music and if you’ve learned basic music reading skills at school, you can definitely play “Here Comes the Sun.” Find a way to link up your personal taste and the tools your school has provided. If you find the recorder boring, play your favorite songs on it—or better yet, create your own.

• What is your favorite movie, TV show or video game? All of these are scored—meaning they all have music especially written or handcrafted for them. Make them your obsession and they will become the soundtrack to your life.

• Get your parents to take you to middle and high school band concerts. See what the older kids are playing and maybe something will call out to you.

• Ask a role model what their favorite album is and listen to it. Associating someone you admire to music may mean a lot to you one day.

Who knows- maybe you’ll love playing musical instruments so much, you’ll choose it as a career. A lot of bands/ solo artists need what you call “session players”; musicians that come into the studio to record on an album. For example, if there is a solo artist that needs a saxophone player on his album, he can contact a recommended saxophone session player.

“Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble with the singers that they are accompanying and they often do not achieve individual fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_musician)

Whether you just want to play music for fun, or make it as a career somehow, music is always needed in the world. If you have the passion for music and are inspired enough by other musicians, get playing!