There is an allegory I like to refer to sometimes when trying to illustrate the point - in mid conversation - that absolutes don't matter half as much as relatives. It goes along the following lines:
Two explorers are on safari in deepest Africa when they chance upon a Lion. For what seems like a eternity, both parties stare at each other, only metres apart. One of the explorers, whilst not taking his eyes off the Lion begins to fumble in his backpack for his trainers...and as he begins to carefully slip them on...the other remarks that he'll never outrun the Lion; to which the response comes: 'No, but I can outrun you!'
And so when it comes to musical matters - the pursuit of musically relevant skills and knowledge - I realised many years ago that one cannot know it all or be able to do it all. Even if every waking moment of every day was spent in this pursuit, one would only touch the tip of the iceberg so to speak.
But the realisation also came along that this fact doesn't matter. It is always true that compared with what one could know, what one knows is miniscule. There is a journey and it never ends...but the point is to go on it; as one will go further than if one did not. Take small steps by all means - on the journey of a million miles as an old Chinese proverb declares. Getting to the end of 'it' should not be the reason for taking the journey; because one is not going to get to the end of it. Not ever!
There comes a point - I feel - when perhaps the pursuit of knowledge and skills becomes selective. The hobbyist or enthusiast aside, as a professional musician, one must consider what skills and knowledge is needed in order to move forwards, progress, achieve certain goals. A living perhaps? I hate to say it but consideration must surely be given to ROI - return on investment. If I spend a disproportionate amount of my time practising to become a Metal shredder that can play extremely fast...well what is the ROI on that? I personally have very few enquiries for lessons to teach such a thing; and the kind of performances I tend to do don't necessitate being a metal shredder. So, what is the point? Perhaps there isn't one. Maybe.
And so you might wonder where this preamble is going?
Well, just to say this: that as a music teachers, others come to me on the premise (surely) that I know more than they do, that I have more skills than they do; and that I can help them with these issues. And provided that is the case then I think that the student and I have a working relationship. They never ask me, 'Do I know it all or can I do it all?' That isn't necessary. It is only necessary that I can know and can do more than they can.
So...like the explorer with the running shoes, provided I can 'outrun' the student then the lion - or at least the hungry wolves - don't come a knocking.
You get it? I hope so! Andrew
