What is the essence of musicianship ?

[m1469]

And what is it's function in society ?


m1469 

[zheer]

Its function can be heard at weddings, funerals, christmas celebration and its function in particular can be found with the christian religion at church.
Its essence i guess is to bring joy into peoples life, and with most people it brings more than just joy it brings people together.

[rimv2]

And what is it's function in society ?


m1469 

Its function can not be categorized or easily referenced!!!

Its function is of great aw and yet bores many to tears!!!

Musicianship cannot be stopped!!!

It is every and nowhere!!!

Be you at the mercy of musicianship or by its side, the breadth of its true majesty would bring great turmoil if comtemplated for even a moment in time!!!

MUSICIANSHIP!!!

[alzado]

I believe musicianship requires some measure of independence.  Therefore, when youthful respondents write in to this forum, I am not surprised that they often reflect a lack of musicianship and take a very passive stance toward their music.  For instance, they are unhappy that their teacher is insisting that they do "X" or "Y" or "Z."  They are unhappy that they are compelled to learn this or that.  And on and on.

In all truth, many persons who have not attained to musicianship are VERY passive.  The idea of researching something musical is beyond them.  Their only horizon is the next page of their method book. 

At some point, usually when we grow older, we sort of have to take charge of our own musical destiny.  We have to decide what we want.  We have to select pieces that WE want to play.  We then play them in a way that reflects our understanding tempered by our experience.  The teacher is a guide, but no longer a master.

Through musicianship we are able to reflect some UNDERSTANDING of what we have been taught over years, and oftentimes, by several different teachers.  And we have been taught -- of course -- by the masters whose music we have been playing.

Well -- that's my effort to answer your question --

[rc]

hmmmm... I'll give it a shot.

Musicianship is the ability to put life into the notes, give some meaning to the patterns of music.

Then where does this meaning come from? Emotion. The original appeal of music, the emotions they can stir. It's where the art of the craft is, and where the subjectivity arises. For me, that was the purpose to learn piano, I loved the abstract emotions in music and wanted to be able to communicate it myself, experience and share it.

Agreed with Alzado, musicianship is something that's studied and learned, one way or another. I've always thought the best way is to approach the music from subjective and objective perspectives... Subjectively finding what you like in the music, maybe a certain passage that gives a violent intensity that you always look forward to. Then objectively figure out what it is about the music that gives that response, especially in regards to interpretation for us.

MUSICIANSHIP!!!