The
Difference Between Traditional and Non-Traditional Music
If
you have studied music with a traditional instructor, you probably
were learning to play the music of master composers . If
this is the music you wanted to play, learning scales is
an important part of it, but not necessarily because the music
is based on scales. Instead, much of traditional music is decorated
with scales. In order to play the decorations of master composers
you must learn to play scales with dexterity (delicate fingering).
Success in this music requires tremendous persistence and determination
for a majority of students...and accounts for the estimated 90%
drop-out rate for traditional students!
The
mistaken assumption of most people is if you can play the traditional
music of master composers, you can play anything. For
most folks, this is NOT the case!
In
the following discussion: traditional = master
composers (Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Chopin, etc.) non-traditional = everything else (pop, rock, standards,
ballads, boogie, etc.)
There
is a vast difference between traditional and non-traditional
music. Although the two styles are nearly identical in the way
they are composed (based on chords), they are quite different
in the way they are taught, practiced and played. The main difference
will be found in the thought process required by the person playing.
With traditional music, the way tones are supposed to be
played and combined already exists in the preferred form, as written
by the composer. To play traditional music correctly, you play
finger by finger...written note by written note.
For
example: If 30 people from around the world came together
in one location, and all took turns playing Beethoven's "Moonlight
Sonata," you would recognize Beethoven as the composer AND the
artist (picture on right). Except for minor variations
between musicians, the music would sound the same from one person
to the next, regardless of their native language. Although they
may play with great artistry, the people who play traditional
music are often called performers.
By
contrast, non-traditional music often occurs as a spontaneous
expression of emotion combined with rhythm and additional creative
tones. The correct way to play non-traditional music is
flexible and unique for each individual.
For
example: Although The Star Spangled Banner may be
considered a nice tune, it is not art without a creative
performer. It is artistic creativity that makes Whitney
Houston's version of The Star Spangled Banner sound different
from that of Rosanne Barr! Although they are performers, the
people who play non-traditional music are often called
artists, because their music emphasizes creativity.
Both traditional and non-traditional music are composed
out of chords, but traditional music is decorated
with scales. This important principle is beautifully demonstrated
in the following audio discussion presented by Itzhak
Solsky, a world renowned concert pianist (and member of PMMO).
Mozart Discussion by Itzhak Solsky (2:16)
Please allow up to one minute for audio to load.
Students
of non-traditional music excel as they understand how chords
and melody work together through a song...not by practicing scales.
Why? MUSIC IS BASED ON CHORDS...scales alone do not sound like
music. The focus of Piano Magic is completely upon playing non-traditional
music (the music most people live with - pop, rock, standards,
ballads, boogie, hymns, gospel, etc.), without having to read
music.
In
addition, if you have already studied chords, simply knowing how
to play a variety of chords is NOT enough. In order to play with
ease, using both hands, you must learn to think
like music.
The
language of music (and english) can be as simple or as difficult
as you think it needs to be.
When
promulgating your esoteric cogitations or articulating your
superficial sentimentalities and amicable philosophical and
psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity.
Let your verbal evaporations have lucidity, intelligibility
and veracious vivacity without rodomontade or thespian bombast.
Sedulously avoid all polysyllabic profundity, pompous propensity
and sophomoric vacuity.
What
this really means is -- "Don't use big words! THINK SIMPLE!"
Teaching
you to think like music is my most important purpose in
Piano Magic! Thinking, using concepts you already know,
is the very key to developing a naturaltalent for
playing a keyboard instrument.
