XXXX said: Please dont mention my name because I dont want to get sucked into controversy; I just want you to know that more people than you can imagine agree with your messages and your convictions about learning music!!! I contribute to an internet bass website and I am writing to applaud you for all that you are doing in the face of a great resistance in learning music. Your comments are direct and clear and this is your crime - You make no bones about how to learn! Never despair the naysayers who resent your calling out the educational industry. Teachers jobs are at risk, maybe even their reputations as well. You can be assured that there will be people angry with you. You are a WHISTLE BLOWER and you are making waves and for this, people will attack you. Music needs a voice, and yours is slowly winding its way around the world. Hang in my friend! Jeff answered: I am overwhelmed and flattered at your comments. To begin, at this time in my life, my approach is to invite people to see the merits of learning well without the vitriol of the past. I want to persuade people, not twist their arms, as I used to. Also, I dont wish harm to teachers or schools, but I do invite them to consider cutting a great deal of extraneous classes (if they have these in their programs) and replace them with music-only content. If I was given a position of authority to re-make a music program, I would first see if students are given only what they need, not what they want. Educators mean well, but one would see astonishment on the faces of teachers and students if they were suddenly told that the classes that they are attending are now cancelled. It is my philosophy that music learned on and off ones instrument is the only reason to pay to learn. I and a select group of friends of mine could turn this generation of bassists into the best musicians they can possibly be, but they will have to practice content that they may not be practicing now. Of course, if one is studying in an environment like this, I encourage them to stay and get deeply into those music classes. They will change your life and they will give you precisely the tools to stay in this industry. Good luck where you are studying now. Get everything out of it that you can, music wise. Never miss your jazz ensembles and always attend your classes and private lessons. You may be finding great content there to practice and work on. I hope so!
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 23:22:18 +0000