UNDERSTAND YOUR MUSIC TERRITORY

 "I'm fascinated by musicians who don't completely understand their territory; that's when you do your best work." – Brian Eno.

A lot of musicians don’t really know their fields of mastery in music; this sometimes make them think they can do everything; it also makes

people think that when you are a musician, you should know how to do everything. I remember one school proprietor asked me what I will want to teach in music at his school. I replied him and he asked me what happens to the other music courses? Should he ‘waste’ another money and employ another musician to take those courses? I quickly realized that the man lacked some little knowledge.

There are a lot of fields in music and at least every musician should be a master of one. Such fields  includes Composition, Teaching, Sound Engineering, Researching, Choirmastership/Directorship, Performance. The most popular among these fields is the Music Performance. Under the music performance, we may have sub-fields such as Singing, Instrumental playing, Conducting, Dancing, etc.

 Some musicians try to teach songs during choir practices and/or manage the practice period and end up messing the practice; others also waste precious practice hours. Some also try to accompany songs and don’t really do it well. Some people also try to conduct choirs and songs are not well interpreted. When I meet such situations, I conclude that it is either such individuals don’t really know their ‘music territory’ or such people are being pompous or showing off.

Don't be surprised if you find a choir master, director, song teacher, or organist who lacks the ‘technical-know-how’. Similarly, don’t be surprised if you meet a choirmaster/organist who lacks the ability of one of his positions two positions. Again, if you find a soloist who is able to do foreign pieces very well than local pieces, don’t be surprised. If your choir master isn't able to teach, then probably he isn't a 'music teacher'; he could be best at administration. If your organist doesn’t teach songs well, he probably isn’t a song teacher but an organist. If your soloist is not able to sing foreign pieces well, then he/she is a master of local pieces. If the person driving the performance doesn't do it well, then probably he isn't a conductor.

Many musicians don’t know their ‘music territories’ and so they are unable to develop them. The choirmaster/director/song teacher, organist, choristers, etc have individual roles they play to the success of the choir; and all roles are equally important. The responsibility is also a collective one. Each musician must at least try and identify his or her strongest capabilities and develop them

 Music is not only about playing a keyboard instrument; or being the best soloist; or being the 'comic' conductor; etc: there is much to it. There are ‘drum beaters’ and ‘drum players/drummers’, they are not the same. When you identify your ‘music territory’ and you develop it, you may try other areas. It is best if you know a little of everything, aside your 'field of mastery'. Don't be troubled to seek help when necessary. Appreciate each other's capabilities and work together. Music performance teaches co-operation.