Classically Trained Vs Playing by Ear

This is almost like shooting myself in the foot since most of what I do is playing by ear but I know in my gut that this blog needs publishing. I attended a Jazz Jam session recently, where musicians are allowed to pitch up with their instruments and then 'jam' along. Its was really great to watch and I thoroughly enjoyed it. What stood out most for me was the difference between guys that were classically trained and those that were self-taught or played by ear. The guys who played by ear were very good but the classically trained guys were in different class. Without going into too much detail I'm defining classically trained people as those that can read sheet music and have sat for both theory and practical exams. They have been given all the skills needed to deal with anything the world of music can throw at them.

While watching them I picked up one very important difference and that difference was about the number of gears available to the musicians. While most of the 'play by ear' brigade were fast approaching the end of their gears (or had even reached overdrive) the classically trained saxophonist was coasting along waiting for someone to throw something at him. The scary thing was that even when they did throw something at him he hit it out of the park. There seemed to be no end to the number of gears he could go through. You see a fundamental difference between the two musicians is that classically trained guys can play both down and up comfortably. This means that they could drop their 'standards' and play in a jazz jam session or they could join an orchestra and fit in just as naturally. The 'play by ear' guys are limited by there lack of formal training, and if pushed hard enough will fail badly. This is not to say that they are not good musicians but they are limited because they are not classically trained.

Ever since the session I have been playing around with this 'classically trained concept'. My wife is an ardent watcher of the reality dance show called:'So you think you can dance', and on the show more often than not (there are exceptions but they're limited) the people who have received formal training prevail since their repertoire is so much bigger. Even in instances where they attempt a style that is not their own they manage to get through it reasonably unscathed. This is because they have been taught the first principles of dance and can almost in a bio-mechanical way understand what is required from them and their bodies. People who have not been trained will have lots of difficulty shifting gears and moving into a different genre.

My suggestion, to people is that if you are considering doing something full time and professionally, then you must have formal training in the area. Learning the first principles and understanding why methodologies are used is critical to making you better at what you do. By way of an example, markets are routinely segmented and those in the industry will refer to the LSM's that they will be working with. Now unless you understand the rationale and process of segmentation you will never be able to develop a suitable campaign. Yes, I know lots of 'players by ear' will give me examples of campaigns that have worked but I will argue that it was by luck rather than by design (hey its my blog so its only my opinion that counts). This approach applies across all disciplines, including, believe it or not, soccer. The Barcelona team is classically trained. They have been given all the skills necessary to be consummate footballers and will be able to play any formation of tactics that you throw at them. 

So if you're really truly passionate about what you do and want to play with the big boys then go and study. I dedicate this blog to Andrew Spitz, my one time interaction design partner who will be leaving me to study a course overseas so that when he returns he will be classically trained and rock the world of interaction design. Good luck Andrew.