If you’re a musician, you know there’s always room for improvement.

If not, you’re probably the musician no one wants to be around. Because we can all improve.

New experiences, new life lessons, new instruments, and improved technique all serve to keep our musicianship expanding.

The problem with improvement is we feel it needs to take 10,000 hours – years and years before we see much progress. Sure, having years on your side will never hurt.

But more time isn’t the answer. It’s about being intentional in a few important areas where you’ll see the largest growth.

I’m convinced that music should fascinate. If you’re not lost in the beauty, exploring the possibilities of what you can do, you’re missing the point. It’s time to get inspired.

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If you’re a musician, you want to be original.

To have your sound. To be unique. The problem with being original is that it’s a myth. We are all a product of our influences.

Those who are considered the most original are those who know how to wield seemingly incompatible influences into something unique.

We all desire this. If you’re a worship leader, you want to lead with a unique style that is honest to your personality.

If you sing, drum, play guitar, or cello, you want to discover your unique tone and style.

But how do we “find our voice”? How do we discover our uniqueness?

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None of us would argue that the most effective musicians know their instrument.

It’s almost as if the instrument is a part of their body, like an additional arm. Because of that, the music seems to flow out of them.

They are able to communicate with their music. They feel it deeply, and in return, make others feel what they feel.

I experienced it when I saw Sigur Ros in concert this past year. Or when I saw U2 play to a sold-out stadium.

But I also experienced it when I saw a blind man play the piano in a lobby of an old building in downtown Pittsburgh.

It’s music that bleeds emotion, heart, depth, and story. It’s music that doesn’t try too hard to conform but instead, is relentless in its honesty and passion.

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I have to be honest – I feel that music gets a bad rap when it comes to “Christian” circles.

We like to talk about how worship is not about music. That pursuing Jesus isn’t about the songs you sing. It’s inward, right?

But what about all the mentions of music throughout Scripture?

Psalm 150 commands us to “praise Him” with the sound of loud instruments.

Remember how King David organized thousands of full time musicians to stand before the Lord day and night?

Not only did he organize musicians – he created instruments for the purpose of praise (I Chronicles 23:5).

I think God has a thing for music. And in this post I want to explore why that is.

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What makes music powerful? Take a minute and ponder that question.

What are the qualities that make for engaging, powerful musicians?

Because it’s obvious that some have it and others don’t.

When certain musicians take hold of their instrument, magic happens. Still others who may have more experience or taken lessons longer, don’t have it.

Think about it – how many times have you heard someone who’s taken lessons for many years only to find out they weren’t very good?

So if lessons aren’t the key, experience isn’t the answer, and time isn’t the x factor – what is it?

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