Pianists might sense music as left and right, with low notes here and high notes there. The piano lends itself to certain melodic and harmonic patterns, etc. A bass player’s instrument, on the other hand, is up and down, with a different hierarchy of high and low notes, offering a unique sense of musical patterns that “work.”

Which prompted our director to bring up a quote of Abraham Maslow, the famous psychologist. Maslow said, “If the only tool you know how to use is a hammer, then you tend to see every problem as a nail.”

This is profound! And it underscores why it is so important to stretch your creative boundaries; learn new instruments, hear new music, etc. You don’t want to be locked in to using only one tool. Always be willing to try new solutions to your musical “problems.”

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