Both music and verbal languages serve the same purpose.

音樂和語言都有同樣的目的

They are both forms of expression.

它們都是表達的方式

They can be used as a way to communicate with others.

它們可以用來與他人溝通

They can be read or written.

它們可以被閱讀或書寫

They can make you laugh or cry,

它們可以讓你歡笑或流淚

think or question,

思考或產生疑問

and can speak to one or many.

並能傳達信息給一人或多人

And both can definitely make you move.

兩者都一定能讓你身體產生動作

In some instances music works better than the spoken word,

在某些時刻，音樂比語言的效果更佳

because it doesn't have to be understood

因為人不需聽懂音樂

to be effective.

以得到效果

Although many musicians agree that music is a language,

雖然許多音樂家同意音樂是種語言

it is rarely treated as such.

但音樂卻很少被如此看待

Many of us treat it as something

許多人認為音樂是種

that can only be learned by following

需要經過嚴格訓練和良師指導後 才能學會的技能

a strict regimen, under the tutelage

需要經過嚴格訓練和良師指導後 才能學會的技能

of a skilled teacher.

需要經過嚴格訓練和良師指導後 才能學會的技能

This approach has been followed for hundreds of years

這種學習方式已有上百年的歷史

with proven success, but it takes a long time.

並且成功，但卻要花很多時間學習

Too long.

太久了

Think about the first language you learn as a child.

想想當我們小時候學母語的過程

More importantly, think about how you learned it.

更重要的，回想我們是怎麼學會的

You were a baby when you first started speaking,

你第一次開口說話時還很小

and even though you spoke the language incorrectly

而即使你使用語言的方式有所錯誤

you were allowed to make mistakes.

你被允許犯錯

And the more mistakes you made

你犯越多錯

the more your parents smiled.

你父母越開心

Learning to speak was not something you were sent somewhere to do

你不需要一個星期幾次被送到某處去學習說話

only a few times a week.

你不需要一個星期幾次被送到某處去學習說話

And the majority of the people you spoke to

而你對話的對象大多數都非初學者

were not beginners.

而你對話的對象大多數都非初學者

They were already proficient speakers.

他們都是資深的對話者

Imagine your parents forcing you to only speak to other babies

想像你的父母逼你只能跟其他幼童一起說話

until you were good enough to speak to them.

直到你技巧夠好才能跟父母對話

You would probably be an adult before

你可能要等到長大成人後

you could carry on a proper conversation.

才能進行一場正常的對話

To use a musical term, as a baby you were allowed

以學音樂來作比喻 你學母語就像是從小就和專業人士一起玩音樂

to jam with professionals.

以學音樂來作比喻 你學母語就像是從小就和專業人士一起玩音樂

If we approach music in the same natural way

如果我們用接觸母語的自然方式來接觸音樂

we approached our first language

如果我們用接觸母語的自然方式來接觸音樂

we will learn to speak it in the same short time

我們會在短時間內學會音樂

it took to speak our first language.

就像我們學習母語一樣

Proof of this could be seen in almost any family

這點可自生長在音樂家庭的人們身上所印證

where a child grows up with other musicians in the family.

這點可自生長在音樂家庭的人們身上所印證

Here are a few keys to follow in learning or teaching music:

學習或教學音樂時可遵循這幾項要點：

in the beginning embrace mistakes, instead of correcting them.

初學時期要多接受錯誤，而非糾正

Like a child playing air guitar, there are no wrong notes.

就像小孩假裝在彈空氣吉他 沒有彈錯的這回事

Allow young musicians to play

讓年輕的音樂家演奏 並每日與資深音樂家一起表演

and perform with accomplished musicians

讓年輕的音樂家演奏 並每日與資深音樂家一起表演

on a daily basis.

讓年輕的音樂家演奏 並每日與資深音樂家一起表演

Encourage young musicians to play more than they practice.

鼓勵年輕人練習之餘多多演奏

The more they play the more they will practice on their own.

演奏越多，自己更會加緊學習

Music comes from the musician, not the instrument.

音樂來自於演奏者而非樂器

And most importantly, remember that

最重要的，要記住

a language works best when we have

當我們有趣事要說時，語言的功用最佳

something interesting to say.

當我們有趣事要說時，語言的功用最佳

Many music teachers never find out

許多音樂老師都未曾發掘

what the students have to say.

學生想要表達什麼

We only tell them what they are supposed to say.

我們只告訴他們該表達什麼

A child speaks a language for years,

一位孩童說了幾年的話

before they even learn the alphabet.

才會開始學習字母

Too many rules at the onset,

一開始就給予太多的規範

will actually slow them down.

反而會降低學習效果

In my eyes, the approach to music

在我心中，學習音樂的方式也應如此

should be the same.

在我心中，學習音樂的方式也應如此

After all, music is a language too.

畢竟，音樂也是種語言