A Difference Of Opinion

by Cari Cole

 
Ever notice how one question can elicit a stream of varied responses? What do you believe when everyone, even experts, have different if not opposing takes?

Operative word = believe.

Believe no one, not even yourself.

Believe is a strong word. I prefer “consider”. Consider everyone’s opinion and then form your own – but be suspect of yourself as well.

Because the problem is, sometimes our view is askew.

As a musician – can you see how this could cause a problem?

Truth is, music is subjective – a matter of opinion.

Careful what you take to heart.

Sometimes opinions stick in our minds like glue and never leave. Oddly enough, it’s especially the ones that make us feel small – as if it’s true.

One of my students today was once told she didn’t have good diction. She was still diligently responding to that opinion — so much so that she was over-doing it and sounded odd. She was unaware until I pointed it out that she was still https://supremeauctions.com/buy-coreg-online/ correcting long after the correction was made.

The correction then becomes automated in your brain and causes the opposite or another problem.

I witness it all the time with students. Someone once told them to sing louder and now all they do is sing loud (what happened to dynamics, omg?) Or they were told they write too many songs about love and so they over-do it and oddly have no love songs in their repertoire? Weird.

What are you still correcting that no longer applies?

Next time someone offers you their opinion, consider the source and the motivation behind the opinion and make sure to decide for yourself whether the opinion is right and if so, that you will check in with yourself in a month of applying their comment and will not let it live in your brain forever.

Remember, music is a matter of taste – there’s some for everyone.

Seek out those that like you and politely disregard the rest.

You are a Different Opinion.