Achieving musical greatness is often seen as an elusive goal, especially when you buy into common myths that many musicians believe. Dispelling these three myths can significantly simplify your journey to becoming a great musician.
One of the most pervasive myths is that you must be original to achieve musical greatness. In reality, musical greatness is about expressing what you want with minimal effort. Whether your expression is original or not is secondary. For instance, classically trained pianists achieve greatness through their technical prowess and musical interpretation, even though they primarily play compositions by others. Conversely, you can be original without effectively expressing yourself.
The key is to have something meaningful to express and to develop the skills to convey it clearly through music.
Contrary to popular belief, talent is not a prerequisite for becoming a great musician. Musical greatness is the result of mastering various musical skills and integrating them seamlessly. People often assume that naturally talented musicians were born with their abilities, but in reality, they learned how to master the right skills through practice and dedication.
Research supports this notion. According to a study published in the journal Psychological Science, deliberate practice accounts for about 12% of individual differences in musical achievement (Hambrick & Meinz, 2011). This means that anyone can become a great musician, regardless of their initial talent level, by working diligently and possibly with the guidance of an experienced teacher.
Another common misconception is that you need to excel in multiple musical styles to be considered great. However, many of the world's greatest musicians are specialists in a single style or closely related genres. For example, guitar virtuosos Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen have achieved greatness by focusing on their respective genres.
Musical greatness is about acquiring the skills needed to express the sounds you hear in your head and mastering them. Instead of spreading yourself thin across multiple genres, concentrate on the one you are most passionate about. Work with a teacher who can help you develop essential skills like ear training, music theory, composition, and live performance.
By steering clear of these three myths, you can remove significant obstacles on your path to musical greatness.
For more insights on achieving musical greatness, check out this comprehensive guide.
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