Once I decided to take up the saxophone, I could begin the learning process by seeing myself playing the saxophone.As I began taking lessons, I was able to add more detail to my visualization by watching my teacher; seeing how to hold it properly, how to place my mouth on the mouthpiece, how much air was needed to get a sound, and how to have fun while doing it!Live Performance Leads to InspirationMy parents took me to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra during my first year of lessons…. I watched them in a focused, detailed manner — taking in the specifics of how they sat and breathed and watched the conductor, Eugene Ormandy.I also watched the overall scene, not focusing on any one thing too closely, sitting back and drinking in the experience.

Age is not a limiting factor in the brain growth caused by music practice.After hearing about the vitamin-like goodness of music listening and music practice, I was glad to be doing Morning Notes, my daily 15 minutes of musical play.Morning Notes reveal great benefitsEvery morning after my morning pages (see The Artists Way), I played Morning Notes for 15 minutes; playing without written music, whatever came into my heart and fingers…. Whether you are a beginning musician or an experienced one, you will find value in Morning Notes.Fifteen minutes is the perfect amount of time for this activity.Morning Notes bring you into a deeper relationship with your instrument.Novice to AdvancedThroughout the two weeks, I took turns playing Morning Notes on a variety of instruments.