From Preface:
Preface
(The realm of the gifted has always seemed to be an exclusive club. The
common belief is that, ”Some of us have it, some of us don’t.” Implicit in
that statement is the assumption that ”most of us don’t.” The way music
(and, I suspect other subjects as well) is traditionally taught works for those
who ”have it.” Only very gifted or advanced students absorb the language
of music in the way it is usually taught. Perhaps two percent of all music
students ever attain anything. Many others struggle with the various
elements of playing or improvising and as a result do not become
performers.
Most people fall by the wayside. We don’t seem to have given much
thought to this discrepancy, simply accepting the old adage, ”some of us
have it and some of us don’t.” In cultures less intruded upon by
”civilization,” everyone is a musician. It has much to do with how music is
introduced into our lives. This book will look at that subject and offer hope
as well as practices to those who think they ”don’t have it.” These practices
will also increase the effectiveness of those who believe they do.
My belief is that, if you can talk, you can play. There are many reasons why
the so-called less gifted don’t get it. There are also methods of obtaining
”it,” which this book will discuss.
Many people have what I call musiphobia: fear of playing music. To a
person afflicted with musiphobia, touching an instrument is like touching a
hot stove. This is irrational, since one cannot get burned touching an
instrument-yet it is a common problem. Though there are absolutely no
negative consequences, most of us are afraid. It is not our fault. We have
been programmed to fear playing. All too often, our relationship to music is
doomed to failure.