The Value of play

I like to begin every lesson with a warm-up. The warm-up serves many purposes. First, it invites the student into a musical mindset and helps prepare their attention for the next 30 minutes. But during this time, I’m also looking for something more important: their instinct for play.

No two students are the same. Some have fiery energy and need to move their bodies. Some are deeply focused and subtle. Some are inquisitive and want to understand every detail of the game. Others are wildly imaginative and get lost in an improvised story.

All of these approaches are wonderful. My job is to stay flexible, recognize what comes naturally to each student, and channel their unique sense of play into a joyful and productive music lesson.

Victor Wooten, in addition to being one of the greatest bass players of all time, is a widely respected teacher and speaker. In his Victor Wooten TED Talk, he shares a principle that strongly shapes my teaching philosophy: music is a language, and it should be taught the way we teach language to a child.

With language, we don’t require babies to learn the alphabet—or how to read—before they are allowed to speak. They simply speak, and we speak back. They learn by listening, experimenting with sounds, and playing with what they hear. Their play becomes more sophisticated over time as they listen more, learn more, and practice more.

Every song a student learns adds to their musical vocabulary. The more vocabulary they have, the easier it becomes to express themselves through music.

Of course, learning an instrument isn’t just about free exploration. It requires focus, consistency, and practice. But as a former student myself, I believe in striking a balance. When I was growing up, many teachers emphasized only the disciplinary side of learning and left little room for play. Eventually, I stopped taking private lessons. It didn’t feel fun, and I didn’t want to practice.

After some time away, I found myself back at the piano, experimenting, exploring sounds, and figuring things out on my own. That freedom to play—on my own terms—was what finally helped me connect with the instrument.

Not every student is motivated in the same way, or more particularly, my way.. That’s why all the teachers at LWL prioritize understanding our students' perspective. The key to effective teaching is discovering what they enjoy—what makes them want to sit down and play.

If you’re looking for music lessons that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of music, book a trial lesson with Lesson With Luke today.