Music comes to our ears in different forms. Some natural form of music include bird songs. A place without a sound, especially outdoors without a bird sound, does 'sound' eery to me. What about you?

The French saying 'La musique adoucit les moeurs' seems to imply that music somehow makes people and customs softer, that music can indeed play a relaxing role. Beyond popular 'wisdom', one can witness the role of music in history and daily life:

• how the blues developed by the Black slaves in North America,
• how tribes celebrate to the sound of music,
• how religious services incorporate music,
• how military forces invest in their own military professional bands,
• how live music was brought to the military forces in times of war and despair,
• how communities gather around events incorporating live music,
• how people still enjoy gathering around a camp fire and a guitar, ...

These may also be some of your observations.

There is something in music which touches us - depending on the type of music and the period of our life or the time in the day!

Here is an extract from an article from the Sydney Morning Herald dated 20 June 2018 which captures most of the benefits of playing in a group setting.

When a child learns a musical instrument, a brand new world of possibilities opens up to them.
Yes, they learn how to read and play music, but they also develop a special set of skills that enables them to not only play in their school band or orchestra - but to work in any group setting.
They learn how to work with and listen to others, to co-operate to achieve a common goal , and to take responsibility for their contribution to that goal.
Above all of this is the opportunity to learn how to enjoy and relish the sound of the music and to learn to love the making and playing of music for its own sake.

To learn to love what we do is surely one of the greatest things a human being can experience.

access the article on the Sydney Morning Herald website (last accessed 13 June 2026)

As long as a band is physically available in the vicinity, and the instrument of choice is not one which is only limited to one musician eg most bands usually only count one drummer, it is worthwhile approaching the band and asking whether they run free band lessons and lend a reasonable instrument - as long as you can care for it, of course.

In Cowra NSW, one of the brass band members used to the beginner junior players as as group and other adult players join in too. This was a friendly setting. Instruments can also be lent.
access the CDB on facebook (last accessed 13 June 2026)
So in this situation, music is made available to all who wish to commit to the band, commit to care for the instrument, and commit to practicing. No fee attached which is also amazing.

Try and find out what is available around you and have a go. Work at your pace. Listen. Be a part of a musical team and you are likely to love it.

• As a migrant moving to Australia in 1991 with a few years of music in the bag, being able to join the Botany Bay community concert band in Sydney, and contribute in that way to a common sound for common purposes, being totally accepted for making that sound, for taking responsibility for the part I was playing in that global sound, was pretty special and really enjoyable as the overall sound was enjoyable too. I enjoyed the conductor who was competent and easy going too. And I was lent an Alto sax for the duration of my contribution to the band. If you live in that area of Sydney, consider joining that band.
  access the Botany Bay Band details (last accessed 13 June 2026)
  
  
• 25 years later, in 2017, I came back to music and after many hours of practice on the Tenor sax, I was welcome to the local band of Cowra, NSW. Although I felt like an imposter at first given my low skillset, I soon learnt to contribute at my level and to slowly progress. There was never any pressure put on me to 'perform' beyond my ability. All band members contribute to whatever they can. And being a part of an overall nice sound is a pretty special experience.
  
  
• In 2021, I joined the Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) for their Australia Day event. They were very welcoming. If you live in their area and wish to play with them,
  access the Parkes Shire Concert band on facebook (last accessed 13 June 2026)
  
  
• And for the ones of you who are really keen, you may consider working as a volunteer in a music festival. I worked for 6 seasons - from 1987 to 1992 - at the Jazz in Marciac festival in the South-West of France which features international as well as local musicians. Over the years the festival featured musicians such as Lionel Hampton, Oscar Peterson, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, Gerry Mulligan, Stephane Grapelli, Guy Lafitte, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, etc.
  access the Jazz in Marciac festival website (last accessed 13 June 2026)