Practice Thoughts | 07: Beware of the Gatekeepers
Added 2021-11-01 20:34:26 +0000 UTCWhere to Start • Lesson Archive • Recommended Lesson Plan • Book a Private Lesson
Hi Everyone,
Here is another practice thought from yours truly. This one tackles the idea of gatekeepers. We all have varying levels (and maybe kinds) of insecurities about wether we're doing things the right way. It's pretty easy to find confident people out there that will tell you "this is definitely the right way to play music and those people are wrong!" But music is pretty complicated and these kinds of things are not so cut and dry.
Basically, I want to encourage each and every one of my Patrons to play music and write music and not to be too concerned with the people who tell you "if you're not doing X, you're not a real musician."
On the flip side, if you have the urge to find someone to tell you:
"this is definitely what music is and these people over here are definitely not making music,"
I'd like you to know that this urge is pretty normal, pretty human and - to some extent - unavoidable at least in some sense. I mean, your preferences are a big part of what makes you you. In other words, it's definitely OK to have preferences, but to define one kind of music as "the only true music," would be comparable to saying that 1500's English or 1200's English is "the only true English."
Music is nuanced and interesting and if you're always worried about doing it right or wrong, you might be missing the point that it's about you doing it the way you like.
If you want to chat about this topic or list some of your personal struggles with gatekeeping or feeling like you don't deserve to be a musicians, come hang out on the community forum.
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Comments
I'd add, you should be your own creative, expressive thinker. Gatekeepers may have a variety of tools to force you to conform to their will, physical, emotional, psychological, etc. Don't feel you have to conform or win approval of the gatekeeper, because the gatekeeper's personality is to always make you feel inferior so they can feel superior and confident in themselves. The gatekeeper's personality or the group and culture that surrounds them may appear to be a group you want to join but the changes you may need to make to yourself to "fit in" may deprive you of your own unique personal musical experience and enjoyment of guitar. You may not know what your musical journey is and the musical contribution you can make until you've spent time alone practicing and noodling. Even though the gatekeeper's world may seem appealing, despite peer pressure, you may need to go with your instincts and decide the gatekeeper's environment is not for you. You will be happier and more proficient in the long run for guitar because you would have gotten an earlier start in your personal discovery of guitar.
Ethan B
2022-05-23 11:52:31 +0000 UTCI guess a baby would know what that was like.
Jared Thompson
2022-03-30 02:57:53 +0000 UTCThese thoughts are so freeing and inspiring. I wondered if your were homeschooled by your excellent skills of critically thinking. As a Christian, who loves all kinds of music (except modernJazz 😬), it makes me sad when I hear about the misrepresentation of God and the pushing of religion over faith. Im sorry that was your experience. 😩 It is clear that God is using you to touch many lives from so many backgrounds with your gifts. For that I am thankful!
Sep thieringer
2021-12-30 16:15:05 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing, Gareth. From what I've heard, JW upbringing can be pretty intense. I'm glad you related with my video and I hope it helps you think of music in an inviting and encouraging way.
Scott
2021-11-19 15:34:22 +0000 UTCGreat video! I particularly liked the comedian analogy. What's funny is clearly different for different people, just as what makes music 'good' will always vary by your particular taste. I also can relate a lot to 'restrictive mindsets' having been brought up in a cult myself (Jehovah's Witnesses) and now as an adult having to challenge such 'black and white' thinking. Great work!
Gareth Matthews
2021-11-06 09:47:51 +0000 UTCThis is fantastic, Scott, thank you very much! I'll comment over in the community forum as well, just want to say how much I appreciate these helpful and thoughtful insights. You are an incredible teacher and you have a lot of wonderful things about you and your own life you bring so well into your teachings and thoughts.
Boomer Dell
2021-11-03 14:49:20 +0000 UTCThanks Scott, your practice thoughts are truly encouraging. Just some days ago I told myself: "ok, there's a thousand 'better' guitarplayers out there. But hey, not one of them plays the way I do!"
Paul Blue Jean
2021-11-03 08:12:39 +0000 UTCHi, Scott. I just want to thank you for these helpful and inspiring thoughts.
Emil
2021-11-02 23:45:30 +0000 UTCJay! Yes! Performing is also not that important to me, but I LOVE writing. Thats kind of my jam. Also, teaching. What do you love? What do YOU get out of playing?
Scott Paul Johnson
2021-11-02 16:19:07 +0000 UTCI've had very similar experiences (religious upbringing etc.) I perform, but it's not that important to me....after many years I've concluded everyone gets different things out of playing...stay on your own path and enjoy the trip!
Jay Marvin
2021-11-02 16:14:43 +0000 UTCYEEEEEEEEEEE indeed
Tasha McManus
2021-11-02 04:30:52 +0000 UTCYEEEEEEEEEEEE
Scott Paul Johnson
2021-11-02 04:11:06 +0000 UTCHOT DAWWWG this Vimeo video is playing on my phone!
Tasha McManus
2021-11-01 23:26:28 +0000 UTCScott, I found you by total accident last year and your genuine attitude inspired me to pick up my guitar after 16 years and start enjoying myself and not worried about not "being talented". Thanks for being so awesome.
Sina Jahan
2021-11-01 23:12:38 +0000 UTC"it must be wild to listen to this without knowing a language" :))))))) that really cracked me up
Sina Jahan
2021-11-01 22:55:30 +0000 UTC
