The 3 Layers of a Musician

I remember watching the movie Shrek when I was in high school. At one point, Shrek was explaining to his donkey companion how ogres like himself are complex creatures. They have layers. Like an onion. The donkey kindly extended the analogy, pointing out that onions and ogres can both make you cry. And they smell bad. No no, said Shrek. It’s the layers. That’s how they were similar.

Musicians are also like onions. A good one can bring a tear to your eye. And if you lock yourself in the practice room, neglecting mundane chores like laundry… Well, you can start to smell like an ogre then, too.

But my main point in bringing up the onion analogy is the layers. Because the way I see it, musicians have three layers to them. And if your goal is to become a great musician, then understanding this point will help you avoid some obstacles to your success.

Introducing: The Three Layers

1. Artist (Musician)
2. Craftsman (Violinist)
3. Human Being

Instead of an onion, let’s shift the analogy a bit. Let’s look at it more like a pyramid. Each layer is supported by the layer below it. If there’s a problem with a lower level, the upper level will never fully develop. With that in mind, here’s how it looks:

This makes sense, doesn’t it? It’s hard to play musically if you scratch and play out of tune. And it would be hard to master your instrument if you neglect your health and get injured. Or if you fly into a fit of rage every time you make a mistake.

At the same time, we all know that having a solid foundation isn’t enough to develop an upper layer. Let’s say you take fantastic care of yourself… but fail to practice the violin. You won’t be a great violinist. Or let’s say you practice until your intonation and rhythm are impeccable. But yet you’ve never given a thought to the phrasing or character. Now you sound as lifeless as a MIDI file.

What’s the Point?

The main takeaway here is to work on each layer every day. Neglected layers will atrophy and crumble, and then the pinnacle will fall. But without a doubt, the base layer is the most important. First you take care of yourself. Then you take care of your art and your craft.

The other point I’d like to get across is that there’s a distinction between being a good violinist and being a good musician. You can have one without the other. Learning the violin is about mastering the mechanics of the instrument. Becoming a great musician is about so much more than that. This is a blind spot for many students who spend all their time learning the instrument and no time developing their musicianship skills.

With that in mind, here are a few ideas off the top of my head on how to work on each layer:

Musician

• Listen to great music from all periods of music history
• Go to concerts
• Study music theory (analyzing harmonies and form; aural skills)
• Read about the great composers
• Create stories to go with the music you’re playing
• Record yourself

Violinist

• Practice every day
• Take lessons from a teacher, ideally the best teacher you can find
• Work on technique (scales, exercises, etudes)
• Use a mirror to make sure things look right (straight bow, natural body mechanics)
• Read books by the great violin teachers (Galamian, Fischer)
  • But understand that knowledge ≠ skill. Knowledge plus 10,000 repetitions equals skill
• Record yourself

Human Being

• Get 7-9 hours of regular sleep every night (for adults), and ideally an afternoon nap as well
• Exercise regularly. Avoid being sedentary.
• Eat a healthy diet
• Avoid drugs and alcohol
• Address any health issues with your doctor (for example, vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to depression)
• Forgive yourself for not being perfect. Nobody else is, either.
• Always be striving to improve
• Learn to manage your time. I highly recommend scheduling each day the night before.
• Develop your ability to focus with a mindfulness meditation practice
• Get rid of distractions, for example online services that profit off of your compulsive use (facebook, buzzfeed, etc.)
• Read books for the purpose of self development
• Write down your goals. The number one hurdle to getting what you want in life is figuring out what you want.
• Keep a journal
• Track your practice hours
• Have a social life. We’re social animals, and we can’t thrive in the constant solitary confinement of a practice room. Maintain the balance of work and play.

What are your thoughts? Are there any items you would add to the list?