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Practice Thoughts | 07: Beware of the Gatekeepers (Patreon)

Published:
2021-11-01 20:34:26
Edited:
2022-08-12 22:53:22
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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. 

More from this series:

Previous Lesson   |   Next Lesson 

Other helpful links:
Scott's Recommended Lesson Plan
Searchable Lesson Archive
How to Join the Community Forum
Scott's Jam Tracks
SPJ Live YouTube Channel
Scott's Main YouTube Channel

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Practice Thoughts- Beware of Gatekeepers_v01.mov

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Comments

Sep thieringer

These 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!

Ethan B

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.