Talent vs Taste: The Inner Battle of Musicianship
There is an ongoing struggle that all musicians face: the balance between talent and taste. This struggle can be seen in every drummer, guitar player, and pianist as they try to become a valuable member of a worship band.Most musicians start out with a basic understanding of their instrument and play simple parts or simplify difficult parts due to their limited talent. Their main focus is simply to play the correct notes. As they gain more technical skill and confidence, they begin to play intermediate and advanced parts. However, their playing is still often restricted by their talent level and they tend to play the parts as they hear them on the recording without any embellishment.
However, as a musician's skill grows, they may become bored with the simplicity of the parts they hear on recordings and start to add their own riffs and solos to the songs. Rather than supporting the band by playing what the song needs and leaving room for their bandmates, they use the band as an opportunity to show off new tricks they have learned. This stage can be compared to a race car with a powerful engine but lacking the suspension and tires to keep it under control.
The next stage in a musician's career is when they become a true musician, rather than just an instrumentalist. Up until this point, they may have shown glimpses of musicianship, but they do not play with the intention of benefiting the music because they are too focused on their own instrument. Like a basketball player who only shoots three-pointers and ignores defense, the instrumentalist plays their instrument without considering the context of the band. Many musicians never progress beyond this stage and refuse to fully embrace musicianship. At this stage, a musician is not constrained by their talent but instead chooses to limit themselves for the sake of taste and teamwork. As a valuable member of a worship band, a musician should prioritize their bandmates over themselves and play with the motivation to add to the music rather than just showcasing their own skills.
To become better musicians, rather than just skilled instrumentalists, we must prioritize humility, purity of motivation, and trust. We must remind ourselves that music is a team sport and the performance is not about us. We must be willing to serve and do what is asked of us, even if it means playing parts that we don't find flattering. We must be open to criticism from others, including bandmates or leaders who we may believe are technically inferior to us. Above all, we must realize that our goal as worship musicians is to lead others into worship and be willing to let God shape our motivations and have a receptive heart to His purpose. We should always strive for excellence in our talents, but also be willing to trust our bandmates and prioritize their needs over our own.
In addition to humility, heart, and trust, there are other factors that can help musicians become better at their craft. Practicing regularly and consistently is essential for improving technical skill and confidence. It's also important to study and learn from other musicians, whether through listening to recordings, attending concerts or workshops, or taking lessons. Finally, musicians should be open to trying new things and stepping out of their comfort zone. This can include trying different instruments, genres, or roles within the band. By embracing new challenges and learning from them, musicians can continue to grow and improve as they pursue their craft.
Ultimately, the journey towards becoming a skilled musician involves a balance between talent and taste, as well as a willingness to put in the hard work and dedication required to improve. By prioritizing humility, heart, and trust, and embracing opportunities for growth and learning, musicians can continue to develop their skills and make meaningful contributions to the worship experience.
(Great video on Performance Vs. Worship and the heart behind it, from Paul Baloche)
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