Music Lessons That Last a Lifetime: A Podcast
At BTB, we always say music is about more than just learning notes — it’s about confidence, creativity, and connection. Recently, our teacher Damon Core sat down with his longtime friend Ben Jeske to talk about how music lessons shaped Ben’s life from childhood through college.
Their conversation was honest, thoughtful, and a great reminder of why music matters. Take a listen.
Damon Core: Hi, my name is Damon Core. I am a music teacher here at BTB School of Music, and today I have a very special guest here. Please introduce yourself.
Ben Jeske: Hi, my name is Ben. I’m a senior at Skidmore College, just like Damon. We’ve been friends for 4 years now, and we’ve made some music together, and honestly, music is how we first became friends.
Finding the Right Fit
Core: So, Ben, why did you start picking up music and what lessons did you start taking?
Jeske: I’ve always had a piano in my house since I was born. My parents like to say that when I was little — like 3 or 4 — I couldn’t walk past the piano without trying to play a song on it. So when I was maybe 6 or 7 years old, they put me in piano lessons with a neighbor.
We started touring music schools… I remember two of them. One had a very uptight vibe. Everyone was dressed up. It was really formal and very classical music focused. I wasn’t very interested in that one.
The other one was upstairs in this industrial-looking building and the staircase was covered in cool graffiti-looking wall art. The people were just so cool. They played a clapping game with me to figure out my sense of rhythm and taught me some cool stuff during the introduction.
That was an easy choice. They focused on contemporary music — jazz, blues, rock, pop — basically everything from 1900 on. I started there in 3rd grade and stayed until about 11th grade… like 8 or 9 years. I had a great time.
They also automatically put you in a band as soon as you’re ready, so I wasn’t just taking private lessons — I was playing with other people for years.
Music Builds Friendships
Core: How have music lessons affected you outside of school — like friends, confidence, stuff like that?
Jeske: I remember making friends with these kids in my school because we were both starting at that same music school at the same time. We ended up being in the same band for many of those years and were really good friends through all of high school.
The friends I made through my music lessons were some of the coolest people I’ve ever met in my life.
What Ben Listens To (And Loves to Play)
Core: So tell me, Ben, what’s the music that you listen to now?
Jeske: Right now, I like to listen to a lot of modern music. I like keeping up with artists that are still releasing music every year. While I love that old music — my dad’s really into classic rock like Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Simon and Garfunkel — they’re really good.
But I find it more exciting to listen to artists that are going to keep releasing new music and changing the way that popular music sounds. So I listen to a lot of hip hop and pop music. Alternative music. I honestly have a pretty broad taste.
Core: I’m wondering, what about the music that you like to play? Is it the same? Is it different?
Jeske: Mostly because of my music education at that music school, I like to play jazz — particularly blues. I’ve always found it came naturally to me to play blues. It’s almost easier than anything else.
I feel like everybody who learns music and is successful with it will find some specific type of music that really resonates with them — that can naturally flow out of them.
But at the same time, I also really love learning how to play newer songs that I’m listening to or hearing on the radio. Because if you’re hearing it all around you since it’s popular right now, hearing it coming from the instrument that you’re playing is a really, really cool experience.
Lessons Change How You Listen
Core: Can you talk a little bit more about how music lessons have affected how you listen to music and how you play things by ear?
Jeske: Learning how to play an instrument definitely affects the way you listen to music. It makes you appreciate more when someone in a song is doing something that takes a lot of skill.
It gives you this urge to figure out how to play everything that you’re hearing. And when I say figure it out on your own, I don’t mean you can’t look up chords — of course you can get help. But the urge to make that sound yourself after you hear a professional do it… that never goes away.
It’s a great way to spend time, have fun, and strengthen your music muscles.
Creating Something From Nothing
Core: What is a moment in your musical journey that you’re really proud of?
Jeske: At the end of my senior year of high school, we had the option to do an independent project. I partnered up with a friend who was interested in rapping, and we made a little album together. I produced beats using Logic Pro, processed his vocals, and we wrote five songs. We released them on streaming services. We got it all done in about a month — we met up almost every day.
It felt great to be dedicated to one project and have a polished finished product. Our friends were sending us videos of them listening to our songs. It was really cool.
Core: Why was that so impactful for you?
Jeske: Making something that other people actually want to listen to — something totally original — is a really special experience.
Listening to it years later and thinking, “Wow, I made that. That didn’t exist before.” It’s really cool. I thought, “you created something, you should be proud of yourself.”
Music Doesn’t Have to Be Your Career
Core: What are your plans after college?
Jeske: I’ve never really wanted to do music professionally. I love music so much that I don’t want it to be my job. I don’t want to rely on it to make a living.
I’m majoring in environmental studies and I want to be an urban planner — working in city government on transportation options. But I know music is going to be part of my life that entire time. You absolutely don’t have to make it your job to keep doing it every day.
Core: In your perfect life, how does music fit in?
Jeske: I’d have a nice piano in my house. A drum set in a soundproof room. A great sound system — really good headphones and speakers.
I want to keep going to concerts forever. Keep making music with people forever. Hopefully be part of a band just as a hobby, not for money, not stressful, just for fun.
Thinking About Lessons?
Core: What would you say to someone who’s thinking about taking lessons?
Jeske: Definitely give it a try. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you learn new things. You’ll be impressed with your own skills. Other people will be impressed too. When someone says, “Share something about yourself,” you’ll finally have something to share — like, “I actually play this instrument.”
It’s really cool to know how to play an instrument. It honestly just makes your life better. And lessons are the perfect way to learn.
Interesting in trying out music lessons at BTB? Learn more and contact us by visiting our interest page.
As an institution that is a beat above the rest, Breaking the Barrier School of Music provides quality music lessons in a family atmosphere to students of all ages and skillsets. For more articles like these or information on this school, visit https://btbschoolofmusic.com/
