\u201cI started playing the keyboard by stealing chords from my dad.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI joined the choir back in high school. It was there I met a guy who taught me how to play ‘Amazing Grace’ and that was how I started playing.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n I’ve analyzed several dozens of statements like this and I’ve noticed one thing they all share in common \u2013 superficiality.<\/p>\n The art of manipulating a musical instrument is associated with the word \u201cplaying\u201d. That explains why most people consider music playing as something similar to playing with a toy. There are no laid down rules to the use of a toy. Heck, even when we buy toys with product manuals, we hardly go through them.<\/p>\n A vast majority of musicians have this shallow perception. Even though they know that there are classical and contemporary approaches to formally learn the keyboard, they feel it\u2019s not worth the trouble. They eventually become superficial players who:<\/p>\n Don\u2019t get me wrong!<\/em> I\u2019m not saying one must bag a PhD in music before playing the piano \u2013 far from that. I\u2019m only saying that it\u2019s better<\/em> to know the basics of music.<\/p>\n Truth be told, there was a time when I thought that playing an instrument with a shallow foundation was permissible <\/i>for hobby players. However, I\u2019ve seen several hobby players who took the time and patience to develop a rock-solid musical foundation progress on to become amazing players.<\/p>\n Whether the goal is to become a professional or stay a hobbyist, there are no excuses for skipping the basics and fundamentals.<\/p>\n Think about driving a car. Whether your aspirations are to become a Nascar driver or commute here and there casually, you had better not skip the basics of operating that car!<\/p>\n The process of music learning is similar to the process of building construction. Below are building construction guidelines that are applicable in music education\/growth. <\/b><\/p>\n Engineers:<\/b> The very first part of building construction is the foundation<\/em>. I have never seen a building project that started with roofing and ended with the foundation. It\u2019s always the other way round – foundation comes first.<\/p>\n Musicians:<\/b> The proper way to get started with music is to learn the basics and fundamentals. Playing songs while getting started is like starting a building project with its roofing. There are basic ideas and orientations that you can\u2019t play the keyboard without. Sure, you can play songs without a mastery of major and minor scales and their proper fingering; however, when it\u2019s time for improvisation, those weak fingers will expose you \u2013 sometimes in an embarrassing way.<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n Engineers:<\/b> The height and weight of a building are directly proportional to depth. High-rise buildings are massive and will require deeper foundations for support and rigidity. Think of the tallest buildings in the world and imagine what would become of them if they had superficial foundations. A skyscraper outweighs an average house 50,000 times. The outward mass outside can stand and withstand pressure because there are structures under the ground.<\/p>\n Musicians:<\/b> It\u2019s not enough to desire global relevance and international renown in music. You must support it with a deep music foundation that is directly proportional to the relevance you desire. Most big musicians you admire out there are like skyscrapers. They have massive foundations that you cannot see directly, but certainly indirectly. We see their “glory” but often times don’t understand their “story.”<\/em><\/p>\n [Tweet “Regarding Top Musicians: We see their “glory” but often times don’t understand their “story.””]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n Engineers:<\/b> The foundation of a building is laid with iron, cement, concrete, sand etc. using certain construction principles. Imagine building with plastic, paper and nylon.<\/p>\n Musicians:<\/b> The fundamentals of music are laid with theory, ear-training and technique (I\u2019m tempted to add sight-reading to the list). These are core areas that guarantee a rock-solid foundation. However, it\u2019s common to see a vast majority of musicians with plastic<\/em> or nylon<\/em> foundations?<\/p>\nSuperficiality<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Guidelines in Building Construction That Are Related to Music Growth <\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n
Guideline #1 – Begin at the Base<\/b><\/h3>\n
Guideline #2 – Depth and Height are directly proportional<\/b><\/h3>\n
Guideline #3 \u2013 Mind the Materials<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"tallestbuilding\"](\"https:\/\/www.hearandplay.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/tallestbuilding.jpg\")
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