Don't Forget The Root

"My first piano came from a skip"

I think one of the most important things in life is to remember where we came from. It is true that most of us will try and make the best lives possible for ourselves and for our families and why shouldn't we? The thing is, most of us won't look back. But why? From shame? From snobbery? What's the point in being where you want to be if you're not going to recognise how you got there? It's the journey that counts.

Emma Sinclair is an exceptional musician. She's married to music. RSAMD graduate, piano teacher, musical director for numerous stage shows in Scotland and secretary of the South West Scotland Centre for the Incorporated Society of Musicians: she's definitely earned her place. And how did she get there? By listening to the voice in her heart that was telling her ten year old self to play and by subsequently pulling a piano out of a skip because she had no other choice!

A lot people these days have everything handed to them because their parents want to give them everything they were never able to have as kids. And sure, that's what parents are for. I just think it can get a little out of hand these days. Where's the work ethic? Where's the discipline? Music takes time and dedication. It takes time to learn an instrument, to read music, to write a song, to record it. You have to work for it. But if you're not willing to work, how can you ever get there?

I reckon for some people it just comes naturally. Like Emma. But the one thing she's maintained throughout her entire career is where she came from. I think she holds onto that to prove to herself that she deserves to be where she is. And she does deserve to be where she is because she's earned it. She has the career to prove it. 

We never know where we're going to end up in life - just make sure that wherever you are, you don't forget your roots: if you lose those then you never existed.

Love EllieMac x