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The enjoyment of being a musician and the thrill of spreading one’s music around the world is no longer about the thumbs-up or thumbs-down of the “experts.” It’s about democracy.
I have some predictions about what music’s increasingly democratic state mean in the not-too-distant future. I admit that some of these are more observation than prediction. I include them because they’re not necessarily obvious to everyone yet.
Now for the fourth installment in the series: 5 PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MAKING MUSIC.
1. Games like Guitar Hero® and Rock Band® will inspire countless millions to try an instrument who would have never before even considered it.
This is already happening. As a private music coach, I can personally attest to the fact that at least eight out of ten new students nowadays mentions one or the other game when asked what inspired them to pick up an instrument. Though that may surprise you, I assure you it is no exaggeration.
A recent music retail industry report stated that fretted instruments were up 3.8 percent overall despite the down economy and that Gibson guitars, according to CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, enjoyed their best quarter ever at the end of 2008. If you’re already guessing that Guitar Hero® might have been mentioned by name as a key contributing factor, you’re correct.
2. Teaching methods will adapt to encourage individuality rather than conformity.
Keep in mind that music was around long before there even was such thing as a music degree. Despite this, many traditional music teachers, both private and academic, hold to a mentality that says you must be serious, serious, serious about music history, music theory, the classical masters, and the forms of pedagogy handed down over the last few centuries in order to get anywhere with the craft.
But music, like life, “always finds a way.” There have always been people willing to figure it out themselves when they couldn’t find a teacher open to ideas other than those learned in textbooks. Many of these have gone on to become legends of innovation in genres ranging from Jazz and Blues, to Rock and Techno, to everything in between.
This will not do away with traditional instruction mind you; it’s full of merits. Despite how I may be coming off, I’m not saying that tradition is the wrong approach, just not the only approach. Because there are so many roads that lead to the field of play, more and more teachers will adapt and find blossoming careers as a result of specializing with those on alternative paths.
It’s like McDonald’s, which has never fit the mold of a high-class restaurant, but has succeeded nonetheless. Call it “dumbing down” if you will. I call it democracy. And in the end, I believe the good will far outweigh the bad.
3. In the same way everyone doodles but not everyone is a professional artist, more people will have basic musical skills without the pressure of “all or nothing.”
This will be the outcome of point number two. Musicianship will become a skill more widely dispersed than ever before, particularly on popular instruments such as guitar, drums, bass guitar, keyboards and vocals.
The average person will welcome the discovery that they don’t have to go all the way or nothing. Due to the accessibility of reasonably priced instruments through ever-expanding retail giants like Guitar Center, musicianship will continue to grow in its appeal to mass audiences.
In the same way that everyone eventually learns to ride a bike, drive a car, and play catch, mostly because in order to do so we don’t all have to become a pro BMX’er, Nascar driver, or major league baseball player, we will increasingly embrace a “pedestrian enjoyment” of music.
4. Methods of distribution will continue to increase, enabling people to share their personal expressions with the world and be proud of it.
Once people are making their own music, they will naturally be anxious to share it; but, no one likes to set themselves up for ridicule and criticism. Fortunately, we are learning as a society to be less critical and more tolerant of what people do to entertain themselves.
There’s a lot of talk about how negative our culture can be, but I’m constantly pleased to see positive feedback on YouTube and MySpace for material that would have previously been considered unacceptable. Maybe the person didn’t have professional equipment or much experience going into it, but audiences are learning to look past this.
People will be able to post their admittedly amateur attempts in more places, while maintaining personal pride and dignity in the process. Many will even get encouraging feedback from real listeners from around the globe who were, for their own personal reasons, touched by what they heard. This never would have happened in the extremely difficult and often demoralizing realm of the professional recording industry.
5. To the same degree that “desktop publishing” and “reality TV” changed the way we appreciate graphic design and film, so will the “indie revolution” change the way we appreciate music.
This is another one that almost doesn’t qualify as a prediction because it’s already happening. But many people are still unaware of its scope and affect.
Growing increasingly tired of the limits of commercially polished and marketed gem—no matter how hard the music and broadcast industry execs try to push them down our throats—our longing for something more real will expand our tastes to enjoy even the roughest forms of expression.
My girlfriend (Donna) and I have several new favorite bands, each of which we found in our local music scene and each of whom self-produced their own independent CDs. Yes, there will always be “professionals” who can put together a slicker package, but it will no longer be left only to them. Our consumption habits will adapt to appreciate the lesser attempts, so to speak, on the basis of spirit rather than spin.
Mike You have such an interesting way of explaining aspects of teaching that make sense. Many of the reasons that I did not pursue Music lessons for my kids is due to my “not fun” experiance I had personally as a child and not being able to find a teacher like you….. I know that my kids would have enjoyed lessons with you. Now after reading your articals I would feel like its not too late and I should reconsider having my kids, or even myself take lessons from you. Thanks for the excitement and something to think about.
Comment by Donna Leacott May 16, 2009 @ 5:13 pmIt’s interesting that you make the “if it’s not too late” comment. It seems like that’s the most common question adults ask about taking lessons. I’m of the opinion that it’s never too late and ANYONE can do it. Wes Montgomery didn’t start playing guitar until age 22, yet went on to become a legend.
Comment by Mike Roberts May 16, 2009 @ 5:18 pmI hadn’t thought of that one yet. Thanks!
Comment by Mike Roberts May 12, 2009 @ 10:20 amWhy not, if Wii Fit can make people interested in exercise…then guitar hero can make people interested in playing guitar.
Comment by donknoup May 11, 2009 @ 3:10 pm