Discipline for all musicians/instrumentalists
In the early stages of my musical journey, specifically as a pianist, I lacked a dedicated tutor. It wasn't until I enrolled in a music school and immersed myself in church concerts and musicals that I encountered diverse styles and trends in piano artistry. This exposure encompassed Western classical, African contemporary, neo-traditional, and even African pianism style among others.
However, I've come to understand that each of the aforementioned styles possesses distinctive nuances in musicianship. Numerous instrumentalists, particularly pianists showcase impressive skill and talent, but are lacking discipline in the art itself which poses a significant issue, affecting how listeners perceive their performances—often described as noise.
Yesterday, I encountered a pianist with extensive experience and skill in handling musical elements like tetrachords, non-harmonic tones, minor chords, etc. Despite this expertise, his performance lacked the finesse and discipline expected of a professional, making me appreciate my own piano abilities more.
Therefore, instrumentalists must acquire discipline in the realm of music. When the auditory experience ceases to be pleasing for the listeners, it ceases to be music. In ensemble playing, the piano should not overpower other instruments; instead, there should be harmonious alignment and synchronisation among all musical elements, including vocals.
