Music is often described as a universal language. But far from simply a metaphor, I believe "language" is the most accurate way to define what music is and how it functions. I approach teaching the piano from this perspective, with a special focus on improvisation — the art of expressing something original and spontaneous through music without preparation.

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Just like a language, music communicates a message. It can tell stories, convey emotion, and often speak to us powerfully than words. And like a language, music requires certain skills to communicate intentionally and effectively. These can be grouped into three categories:

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technical skills: learning to coordinate your fingers, to play evenly, to articulate notes in specific ways; establishing neural pathways and muscle memory

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mental skills: learning to identify notation, detect patterns and simplify movements; efficiently implementing your technical skills

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theoretical understanding: learning what intervals, chords, and harmonic movements convey and how to use them intentionally—understanding the "grammar" of music

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As you develop your skills in these areas, you become more and more capable of expressing whatever it is you have to say. Just like speaking in your native language, creating and performing music can become effortless. The more familiar you are with a language, the more fluently you are able to speak it without preparation.