Ayako Egawa wrote to me from Japan about the proverb, “The Grass is always greener on the other side.” The proverb means that people always think that others have it better in life, even if it’s not the case. Interestingly, Ayako said that this proverb also exists in Japan. Here’s what she...

When I was in elementary band, way back when, I started on the clarinet. I was never truly happy with it and I always wanted to play the saxophone. I did end up switching to the sax within a couple of years of starting an instrument. Now I’m older, and I’ve heard enough great...

Last Sunday evening I went to my friend Rae’s house, where she held a concert. It’s a tradition she started with her husband, Mike, a few years back. Every year, just before Mother’s Day, they invite their friends and family to gather together to play songs on their instruments for each other. ...

Vince Bates recently started a blog about music education called Musicing. I like his thoughts on music. He believes music should be taught in schools to become a vital part of the student’s whole life. Here’s what Vince wrote (it’s also an explanation of what “musicing” means): “‘Musicing’, to me, means any and...