I am on a mission to serve this question due justice. I refuse to believe that a music that has had so much influence on modern day popular music, and culture is not cared about or even identifiable by the chidren, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of they very pioneers who founded, and contributed to the tradition of this very art form.
Where is the audience for this music? Once more , the future audiences in regard to this improvised art form?
If the improvised music community does not face these preliminary questions , how could we possibly ever expect to see the margin widen concerning the general public's demand of this music?
Thoughts?
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The audience is in the hearts & minds of the young generation. Most of them just don't know it, through ignorance or distraction or rejection due to their environments. AKA SCHOOLS! The problem seems to be the mis-education of our youth.
ReplyDeleteAndy- I can see where you are coming from as this is a common response among many folks in the community.
ReplyDeleteOnly, no one, or thing can make an individual feel or do anything that is outside of his or her own will. Many will disagree with me on this statement, but due to the harshness of a telling self truth, 'We' usually find the closest sacrificial scapegoat to be the most obvious route....
Example: "oh..,Im about the tradition, that's why I dont deal with that rhythmic straight 8th music, it doesn't swing!"
In this case this person is really saying:
'Since I chose not to work on studying this type of music, I will make the tradition(that I am supposed to be contributing to by creating something of my own)my scapegoat, and gloat about my incompetence.
Clearly said, Schools are not the problem, and whatever the problem is happened well before the pupil ever entered the post high school atmosphere.
We as musicians have to decide what this music means to us, and unltimately what role we want to pursue involving the relaying of this musical language.
Age plays no factor in this equation, as genius' of all age ranges have been documented throughout music history.
School is a resource, nothing more, nothing less. The University is not a savior, and never has been.
How can 'we' be taken seriously if we wont face our personal stances concerning our obligation to the relaying of improvised music to the general public?
What is the next scapegoat going to be?
Revive -
ReplyDeleteYes, undoubtedly school is a resource, but what percentage of children under the age of 18, or even 15, know that & act on that knowledge? I would wager a guess that it's below 33%. Maybe even below 10%.
Anecdote - I remember playing in various groups in my public high school. I often asked the band or choir director if I could use the band room before and/or after school as a rehearsal space. Often the answer was 'yes'. During those days I knew that playing improvised music was a great use of my time, both for my mental state & my future. Unfortunately most of my friends actually looked down on me, called me names, and excluded me socially because of my dedication to art and my willingness to use any means necessary (school building, band room, etc.) to play.
I also played in my parents' house, and at other friends houses....I played whenever or wherever I could. But I do find it poignantly interesting that my life, even though I was initially faced with adverse reactions from my peers, has continued to revolve around playing improvised music thanks to my teachers.
My point, though rambling, is that yes it was me, myself & I who made the decision to study the history & tradition of this music. But it was my teachers who allowed me to use their building (yes it was mine, too, but they could've easily blocked me with a simple 'no' & by locking the door to the band room), who gave me the option of running my own extra-curricular rehearsals & jams, who showed me tools & connections to move forward in music, who I owe a majority of the credit for me being the musician I am, and the student & supporter of this great music. They did not save me from anything, but they gave me more of an opportunity than I could have gotten without them.
Perhaps I was blessed with a unique experience. I happen to think that that may have been the case. God-given talent & personal growth & intellect aside, there is an undeniable benefit from specific environments which one is surrounded in, & that, my friend, can be the determining factor in how someone sees this music, feels this music, & ultimately helps this music.