The Importance of Support

Importance Of SupportThe other day I was at an open jam music gathering - a bunch of people sitting around playing music together. I’ve been to many of these music gatherings where musicians sit in a circle, someone picks a song, throws out the key they’re playing in, and everyone jumps in. It’s always a great deal of fun. Usually, to keep things somewhat organized, there will be a leader of the circle, someone who will pick who will be doing which song and when.During one gathering a young man joined the circle, to which the leader responded that the young man only play what he knows. The leader’s lack of support, or lack of encouragement quickly deteriorated the young man’s enthusiasm. So, what was gained by the leader’s lack of support of the young man’s music. Better yet, what was the gain from criticizing the young man’s playing ability?In this case, I’ve heard the young man’s music – he’s talented. He may not know all the songs (who does?), but his contribution to the music is always crowd pleasing. And isn’t pleasing the crowd the whole point to the music?A list of questions comes from this example of how we support, or how we sometimes don’t support the art of others. In Ireland, where traditional sessions are the cornerstone of every local pub, the music is taken quite seriously and the rule of thumb is "If you don’t know the tune stay away from it." The ‘rule’ in this case isn’t to deter the novice player from playing, just the opposite, the rule is to ensure experience players are playing with equal players. But Ireland is unique in traditional sessions, the music is very defined to a specific style – it’s not an open jam circle where musicians sit in a circle, someone picks a song, throws out the key they’re playing in, and everyone jumps in. I cite the difference in the Irish rule of "If you don’t know the tune stay away from it" versus the open jam criticism from the leader to the young man. I mention the difference because there is an amazing difference between an organized Irish traditional session versus an open jam where musicians sit in a circle, someone picks a song, throws out the key they’re playing in, and everyone jumps in. The difference is that in the open jam the foundation of any good noise that might come from the circle rests in the circles ability to enjoy themselves. The foundation of enjoying one’s music, or more specifically, the foundation for enjoying one’s art, rests in one’s ability to be comfortable in their surroundings. To be comfortable one must be encouraged, supported.The leader’s negative comment to the young man was discouraging and put the young man in an uncomfortable surrounding. The young man lost his ability to be comfortable in his surroundings. And as I watched this unfold, I was astounded that personally I viewed the young man’s skills as a musician to actually be greater than some others playing in the same circle. In this example the leader had now provided a negative criticism in front of the circle which dampened the circle’s joy of producing music. So, what was gained?Was the leader’s objective to produce superior music worth criticizing the young man’s skills as a musician? Or, would the leader have gotten a better sound from the young man if he had encouraged the young man rather than negatively comment? I believe if the choice is to either invite someone into a circle or ask them to leave for the sake of ‘improving quality’, keeping the invitation is more important. It boils down to priorities, inviting an artist to perform their art, in this case the art being music, is much more important than the quality of the art. Our objective, in my mind, is to support, support, and support. Encouragement, in my mind, is much more important than the quality of sound coming from a open jam band at a crowded drinking pub.I also believe that each artist, or musician, will gravitate to their own level of comfort. By this I mean the young man felt comfortable in joining the circle, which says to me he obviously felt comfortable with playing when he could. He might not have mastered every key, but the young man probably would have played when he could, and learned when other’s played in keys he hadn’t mastered yet. So, what would the harm have been? Close to zero from my perspective. But, what would have been gained?Comparing the Irish traditional sessions to Africa’s version of traditional sessions is night and day. In Africa singing is encouraged and supported. There are no rules. In Africa from a young age children are encouraged to sing, to listen and mimic, join in when they are comfortable. In Africa the children do not live in fear of singing inappropriately. How beautiful is that level of encouragement. Just think if we in our society allowed young artists and musicians to perform without criticism – only encouragement!One hundred and eighty degrees is the other side of this coin, the artist or musician’s ability to develop a thick skin when it comes to criticism. When the leader told the young man to play only the tunes he knew the young man had a choice; to either absorb the negative comment and let it get to him, or deflect the negative comment and let it roll on by. This is a choice every artist has to struggle with. To every artist comments and criticism will come in every direction imaginable, it’s the responsibility of the artist to examine the criticism, but to not let the criticism alter the artist’s direction. In the case of the leader criticizing the young man’s music skills, the young man packed up his instrument and walked out, but he didn’t walk out in a huff – I could see it on his face. The young man, from my perspective, or at least my personal knowledge of the young man led me to believe his musical talents were in fact better than most of the musician’s that were in the circle. But that wasn’t the importance of the young man’s positive perspective. I am willing to bet the young man view the leader’s negative criticism with an eye toward "Wait a minute, we’re a bunch of locals sitting a musical circle – it’s not like we’re professional musicians that were just invited by the Beatles to join them at the Abbey Road studio to record a new album. Perspective is everything!This week’s plugs:Acrylic Technique: Abstract Painting for Beginners
Cotuit Center for the Arts www.cotuitcenterforthearts.org
Tuesdays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
April 28 to May 30, 4 sessions
AGES/LEVELS: Adult, 16+; All levels
Instructor: Christina Jacobi


Acrylics are one of the most versatile mediums for artists today. Join us as we brush, drip, pour, texturize, flow, and drag paints to create unusual effects. Classes will cover basic vocabulary, types of paints and mediums, choices for supports, and other relevant information. We’ll experiment with additional techniques including stamping, plastic wrap texturing, natural objects and additives. This is a fun class, great for beginners, where unexpected results can lead each painter in new directions.
For further information on the artist and to view samples of her work, please visit:
http://ArtworksByChristina.wordpress.com
Tripping Lily at Red Top on May 2^nd, pre-tour show to kickoff May 8-18 tour. http://redtopartistretreat.shutterfly.com/