One of the keys to learning to play and perform music is listening to other musicians. There’s no shortage of people to admire, and thereby learn from. And the range of music that you can learn from extends to all genres. You can be country music picker and learn something by listening to a classical pianist, and, believe it or not, vice versa. In fact, you can learn a lot.
My co-author Kevin Bales started his music career as a young classical pianist. Then jazz won him over and he has been playing and teaching jazz ever since, for more than 30 years. Still he listens to and is inspired by other musical genres. “I like all kinds of music,” he says.
The other day, that idea turned into a conversation about the classical composer Charles Edward Ives. Ives’ works are variously described as experimental or “art music,” that is, music not created for an audience but for the composers’ own purposes and expression. As such, Ives’ music did not take hold with the public until late in his life. He had more success as a businessman, an insurance giant, and he was known to have used his own money to hire orchestras to play his compositions.
Later in his life, though, his music won the recognition of his contemporaries, including Henry Cowell, who understood the genius and was successful in getting it performed and appreciated. Ives’ innovations were widely adopted during the 20th century, and he is generally regarded as the leading American composer of art music of the 20th century
That’s an inspiring story for anyone who struggles in anonymity. It might serve best as inspiration to continue to pursue an initiative when no one but you yet understands its value. Imagine Ives coming home every evening and working on his compositions, as he did, with little hope of being recognized for his work. His brand of persistence is nothing short of inspiring, and exemplary of the value of making the effort to learn to compose as well as play and perform music.