When you play an instrument, it’s easy to get wrapped up in practice routines, technique, intonation checks, and all the little details that come with trying to improve. But sometimes the most memorable moments come from something simple, which is playing for the people around you. Sharing music with loved ones could create a connection that feels different from any concert stage.
This kind of playing may not only help you grow as a musician, it could also remind you why you picked up your instrument in the first place. Let’s explore why performing for friends and family matters, and how it could strengthen both your musicianship and your relationships.
What is Behind Shared Music
Playing music for others may feel emotional or personal, but there is real research showing why these moments can be powerful. A study from Oxford University found that making or listening to music together could release endorphins, increasing a sense of closeness among groups.
When you play for friends and family, you’re not just performing. You’re inviting people into your world. There’s something ancient about that. Many cultures believed that music could serve as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual. It's a reminder that music can carry emotional messages that words may struggle to express.
Also, these small performances can build confidence for the bigger ones.
Playing for Loved Ones Can Strengthen Your Skills
When you perform for people you’re comfortable with, the pressure is lower, but the experience still counts. You may notice:
More Awareness of Musical Storytelling
Your family and friends may not care about perfect technique. They just want to feel something. This could push you to focus on tone, mood, or character.
Real-World Performance Practice
Even a tiny “audience” may help you learn how to stay calm, how to recover from mistakes, and how to keep the music moving.
A Chance to Share Your Identity
When you play for the people closest to you, they get to see another part of who you are. That connection may encourage you to keep growing, keep practicing, and keep exploring new sounds.
How to Make the Moment Feel Natural
You don’t need a stage. You don’t need a perfect setup. A simple approach could make everything feel comfortable:
- Pick one short piece you enjoy
- Play in a relaxed space
- Keep the energy light
- Treat it like a conversation, not a recital
And if you’re a bassist like me, the double bass can fill a room with warmth especially during the holidays.
If You Want Something Seasonal to Share…
If you’re looking for music you can dedicate or perform for friends, family, or at gatherings, I just released the "Christmas Bundle". It's a collection of seven holiday bass solos:
- Silent Night
- Jingle Bells
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Deck the Halls
- Greensleeves
- O Christmas Tree
- Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
It’s cheaper than buying each piece individually, available as a digital download, and the files work for both orchestra and solo tuning. These pieces could be great for small performances, quick dedications, or simply adding music to your holiday season.
Check out the Christmas Bundle here
If you want the full updated collection of my bass solos, you may also grab the complete set on the site.