Building Confidence Through Music: Lessons from Tupelo Music Academy
Music is more than just notes and rhythms—it’s a journey that shapes confidence, sparks creativity, and forges community. At Tupelo Music Academy, these three pillars are more than ideals; they’re the foundation of every musical endeavor.
In a recent conversion with our own trombone/ brasswind teacher , and band director Derek Taylor, an experienced instructor from Union County, the focus was on how to nurture confidence in music students of all ages.
The Three C’s: Tupelo’s Approach to Musical Grow
I mentioned we want to be the go-to spot for music lessons in Tupelo, Mississippi—welcoming everyone from toddlers to adults. Their method centers on the “three C’s”: Confidence, Creativity, and Community. These aren’t just buzzwords; they drive the Academy’s teaching philosophy:
- Confidence is built as students explore and express themselves through music.
- Creativity blossoms in a supportive environment, letting students taste and touch the possibilities of sound.
- Community forms as students connect with others, sharing music—the universal language.
Confidence: The Key Ingredient
When it comes to confidence, Derek Taylor shares valuable insight from his 17 years as an educator. Interestingly, he adds his own twist with another set of “three C’s” to explain how true confidence develops:
- Confidence – The sure, settled trust in your abilities.
- Competence – Deep understanding and skill in your craft.
- Consistency – Regular, faithful practice that builds skill over time.
Taylor explains: “True and settled confidence really comes out of competence…and competence is only developed through consistent training and practice.” In other words, repetition and steady effort—no matter how tedious—are the backbone of musical growth.
What Families and Students Can Do
For younger children, family support is crucial. Taylor encourages parents to sing with their children, dance with them, and surround them with music. This shared experience builds not only an “internal library” of musical memories but helps children gain the foundation for future learning.
As kids get older and more independent, Taylor’s advice remains simple but powerful: Listen to great musicians, especially those who play your instrument. Fill your mind with inspiration, then branch out to other genres and sounds.
Terrence Cummings echoes this, sharing his own experience of exploring music from church bands to jazz and R&B, picking up different instruments and constantly practicing. For him, confidence is about “years of listening, hearing songs, just being a part of it.”
Consistency Is King
The one piece of advice both hosts emphasize? Consistency. It might seem dull or repetitive, but Taylor explains: “Just continue returning faithfully to it…before you even realize it’s happening, you’re going to gain that competency, and that’s what leads to that confidence.”
Join the M Tribe
Ready to start your own musical journey? Tupelo Music Academy welcomes all ages and abilities, offering lessons that build skills and self-confidence in a lively, supportive community. Whether you’re a parent thinking about lessons for your child or an adult wanting to rediscover music, there’s a place for you.
Explore more at Tupelo Music Academy’s website and follow them on social media for updates, teacher profiles, and student spotlights.
Music is life—come be a part of the community where confidence is built, creativity is encouraged, and everyone belongs.
Inspired by the insights of Terrence Cummings and Derek Taylor from the Music Is Life Podcast, Tupelo Music Academy.
Check out the full podcast ep on youtube .
https://tinyurl.com/3aw5rezw