Don’t Just Play the Notes, Play the Music

My wife, Sharon, is a piano teacher. She teaches students of all ages and all skill levels. One of her students is a teenage prodigy named Jordon. At a recent recital, I sat in the front row and Jordon was performing an original piece of music. I was captivated by this

young man’s music, but even more so by his physical representation of it.

As he played, Jordon’s eyes were closed. His hands floated over the keys, as if they were gliding on butter. His body moved with the tempo, his head swayed with the rhythm, and his facial expression clearly displayed what he was feeling as his own music came to life. When the music became very quiet and mellow, Jordon’s head dropped close to the keys as if he was listening to the sound of each individual key being pressed. He moved slowly and gracefully with the sound. Then his back straightened, his eyes opened wide, and his face contorted into an expression of intensity as the crescendo built and the climax struck.

The music slowed down once again, and his head went down close to his hands again. As he reached the closing notes of his work, he let his right hand drift past the end of the piano and into the air as if to whisk the music off to heaven.

A long silence followed as Jordon slowly stood to take his bow. The audience began to rouse from the musical trance in which they had been locked, and, to a standing ovation, young Jordon claimed his accolades.

Any musician will tell you there are those who can play the notes, and those who can play the music. As a speaker, you need to say more than the words; you need to live the message. Your message to your audience isn’t in your words; it’s in your heart. Open your heart, free your authentic self, and get lost in your message, just like Jordon got lost in his. So, what’s the lesson? When you’re speaking, play more than the notes. Play the music!

Get IMMEDIATE FREE ACCESS to 4 Hours of Intensive Training Videos, Deliver High-impact Presentations and Influence & Inspire Any Audience When Public Speaking...all starting right now! Get you free public speaking video here.