Musicians: 3 Key Fundamentals

There are three main key fundamentals to always keep in mind as a musician- all of these fundamentals are ever evolving and developing- there is room for growth and constant enrichment in the life of a musician.

1. Theory

If your musical formation starts as a construction of a house- theory would be the foundation of your home, all the way down to the drawn out blue print, to the materials- cement, wood, iron, steel, any and every material used to build the foundation is your knowledge on theory.

2. Technique

Knowledge of technique is a crucial component in the life of a musician. Technique, as a violinist, may range from efficient finger transitions to the holding of a bow and although, throughout all of the years this information has greatly helped me to learn to play with much more ease, I think the purpose of technique goes beyond that. If I teach technique to a violin student, I am not just trying to facilitate the playing for the client but most importantly I give this information because I know that it will also translate better and more authentically in relation to the original intention of the music being played. Knowledge of technique can be acquired through many mediums nowadays- there is a vast library of information on the internet about technical aspects in playing any instrument. I argue that it is often best learned from an instructor who has years of experience and can critique and lead you through any particular aspect. A great technique is like a well oiled machine, where functions are carried out smoothly- all of this comes down to your technique.

3. Interpretation

The final component that solidifies a musician is the ability to interpret a piece of music. This aspect separates good and even excellent musicians from the greatest musicians in history. Although interpretation is quite an abstract and subjective component- I believe it is greatly dependent and facilitated a firm foundation on knowledge of theory and technique. If the first two aspects- theory and technique are part of the repertoire of knowledge that a musician must have, interpretation is the application and deep understanding of that knowledge. As a composer, I can confidently say that every piece I write has a story behind it, unique to me and my experiences- I would say that every note is intentional. The job of a musician is to use the tools already mentioned to understand the purpose behind a piece and even create their own interpretation if necessary. If you play back a piece played in both ways- technical and the other technical and with an original interpretation- you should be able to tell the difference right away. As an interpreter of a piece of music, we don't really have the luxury of our composer's first hand counsel. However, you don't necessarily have to know the original and exact purpose of a piece of music. A lot of the times the work will consist of personal research of the original intent and interpretation of a piece and the rest will be your own imagination and personal take on the piece- still, always being attentive and respectful to the composer's style.