“Start ’em young,” they say. It’s as if the world has this grand conspiracy to transform every toddler into a music prodigy before they can even spell “Mozart.” Parents embark on these escapades, armed with the belief that their toddler will become the next Chopin, winning the Tchaikovsky competition and becoming a world-renowned pianist.
Parents envision their children as extensions of themselves- a second chance at playing at Carnegie Hall, winning a Grammy, or securing a multi-million dollar contract with a record label. But, oftentimes, parents’ desire for their children’s musical “success” leads to many unintended consequences that harm their children’s artistic future.
Musicians are absorbed by competition. Music conservatories have studios full of musicians who play the same instrument, all looking to win an orchestral job. It is inevitable that at a higher level, competition must exist in music. Frankly, our entire economic system is based on competition. However, unlike many other activities, music is unique; it is an art form that is intended to break the conformities of society, not to foster them. To understand why music must rise above competition, we must appreciate what makes it so unique.
Music education offers students many cognitive, emotional, and social advantages and fosters skills and qualities that profoundly impact development. It enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and mathematical skills, and students who engage in music education tend to perform better academically in subjects like mathematics and language arts.
Music provides a unique outlet for self-expression and emotional exploration, allowing students to convey their feelings. Music also fosters cultural awareness and appreciation. It exposes students to diverse musical styles and traditions worldwide, broadening their horizons and promoting respect for different cultures.
It is clear that music’s importance is profound and is far greater than the physical act of playing or figuring out “who is better than who”. However, despite the overwhelming evidence of music’s far-reaching impact, parents and musicians still often forget the deeper meaning of music and are bound by comparison.
But why? What makes parents and musicians treat music like a competition?
The Social Comparison Theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, aimed to provide an explanation to this question. It states that humans desire self-evaluation and by comparing themselves to others, humans reduce uncertainty. According to the theory, musicians compare themselves to others as a means of self-evaluation.
However, in the arts, musicians and parents must remember that the idea of comparison as a means of self-evaluation is incredibly dangerous.
Studies suggest that when musicians compare themselves to others, they are more likely to be self-deprecating and less likely to collaborate with others and be creative in their art, ultimately inhibiting their potential. This demonstrates that competition and comparison decrease the uniqueness of music and the impact it can and should have.
In a competitive world, it is easy to lump music together with other competitive tasks; however, it is vital to remember that music is unique. The value of music lies not in winning medals but in cultivating lifelong learners and creative people. Whether you are a musician, a parent of a musician, or an avid listener of music, the value of music is not within how much better someone sounds than someone else but within the personal change that music fosters. To fully experience the impact of music on society, we must throw away the shackles of comparison and competition and embrace the transformative power of artistic expression.
Art by Jessica Yampolsky
Author : Samuel Jacobowitz