Let’s Remember

Information:

• Source: The Emperor’s New Clothes
• Key: C Major
• Measures: 48
• Parts: Cello and Piano
• Duration: 3:19
• Pages: 4 Pages

“Real learning comes about when the competitive spirit has ceased.”
― J. Krishnamurti

Hello,

Music is undeniably a universal language, it is found on every corner of the globe, it could easily be the art form most people love, and, because of its accessibility, it is my opinion that, music is also the most bastardise form of art. The interesting thing is, the dynamic of this abused takes place in front of our own very eyes.

Some musicians monetise big sums every year by taking advantage of the many different ways they are allow to operate, whoring themselves doing the impossible to become rich and famous. In the end, music is push aside and after awhile is not about music anymore; the music industry becomes, well, an “INDUSTRY: a factory of catchy tunes, rhythms and lyrics.

The battle to promote their creation then, becomes fiercely and as sales flourish, profit-making evolved into the ART itself. Certainly, that’s a whole argument, more sinister than we allow ourselves to admit.

With the help of the diabolical monster that social media is_ urging users to interact with one another through comments, clicks, likes, posts, reactions, and, since everyone has an opinion, social media rarely is about quality, beauty, truthfulness or education_ the competition for exposure gets even nastier. Alas, music is in the middle of this storm and gets drag down into hell.

I am a big fan of recitals, concerts, presentations, but on the other hand, music competitions in all forms and shapes should be ban altogether; because there’s nothing prettier about musicians showing off their skills, using music as a tool to feed their self-admiration.

After awhile, reality shows much the same as American Idol, The Voice, etc. stop being fun entertainment. Watching kiddos and adults alike participating in piano competitions also breaks my heart, there is no secret anymore what is going on behind doors, but people chose to cheer.

Not long ago, I watched a video of a piano teacher bragging excitedly how some of her students had participated on international piano competitions and had won first prices. Of course, it was never her intention to mention the political aspect of the competition and the abuse the competitors had to endure. She couldn’t had possible mentioned it, her ego was covering her mouth.

To even consider one of this international piano competitions, the level of playing needs to be superb. The thing is, the participants already achieved what very few can. There is no need to go further and dispute their obvious position. Organisers, judges, and everyone involved know this. On stage, they resemble little robots that at times, made me feel, they are incapable of crying.

They ALL are excellent pianist. My point is: there is no point on using music for a competition they’ve already won. Music alone, should be the reward NOT the means. But again, people choses to cheer anyway. Is it impossible to enjoy music without the need to exaggerate our own self value?

In my many years of teaching, there were a few obnoxious parents with big dreams for their kids, requesting information about exams, level of playing, competitions, blah, blah, blah. I remember one curious case, an email from a rude woman that forgot all rules of common curtesy stating on her opening paragraph_ even before a friendly "hello”_ that she wasn’t impress with my credentials. Well, I wasn’t impress with her social skills and I denied any and all further requests from her.

I wrote this piece, thinking of all the recitals I organized in the years I taught, and the students that participated. There were small events for them and for their families, where the music itself was the profit of their efforts. Nothing more, nothing less. They all did what they could. There wasn’t any higher expectations, only enjoyment of the music.

It is my wish the world would stop denying students the opportunity to fairly make music for the sake of art, which often teachers forget to mention. Let’s all remember, the main focus should not be the academic aspect. Let’s bring back the label of ART to music.