Most recently I had the opportunity to play a live music show with SAJAL at Trident Cafe. My friends Amruta, Jupiter, Ankur, Laura and I started an improvised music group called SAJAL that formed from our frequent jam sessions. Amruta and Ankur, being multitalented, had their artwork on display at Trident. To celebrate their artwork Laura, Jupiter, and I decided to improvise some music loosely based on the artwork displayed.

At the show I played electric guitar. For those who know me, you might say “I didn’t know you played guitar.” The truth is I am a beginner guitar player having only learned basic chords and how to play the beginning of Landslide by the Dixie Chicks.

I have been fortunate through meeting my partner, attending the creative music workshop, and tapping into my own cultural knowledge and dance practice to recognize that creating beautiful music is as much about listening and responding as it is about technique. I have at times let the fear of imperfection paralyze me and prevent me from participating. I am fortunate through various communities in Halifax to free myself of this way of thinking. This lesson applies to life as much as it applies to music improvisation. While I don’t want to make a habit of quoting Winston Churchill perfection is ultimately the enemy of progress.