Don’t be a copycat!

relevant. The big question is what is relevant and who qualifies for it?
The fact is you can emulate someone but you can’t be them and the sooner you realise that the better.
Have you ever wondered why we are all different, there is no one like you in the world.
Even if someone may say you look like so and so, you will always remain a unique part of creation.
Combined with your experiences and the spiritual magnitude of your expressions you can never be duplicated.
While conducting a music lesson to a group of children I gave a scenario in trying to unlock their individual desires for them to appreciate that inside everyone of us lies potential that must be discovered and developed.
Imagine if we all looked the same, walked the same and even sang the same, what would life be?
Yes, that’s my point, so when children come for music lessons I don’t want them to look down on themselves or even to believe that they cannot sing.
The fact that you watch other seasoned singers or you hear some of your friends who you think sound better than you doesn’t mean you can’t do it.
You are just like them. All that’s needed is for you to search your heart and develop your musical persuasions.
As the saying goes variety is the spice of life. You may not sing or sound like seasoned musicians but believe it or not no one will ever sing like you, so what remains is for you to step out and develop your true identity.
I strongly believe that there is no set standard to musical expression. If you take two singers or instrumentalists and listen to them perform the same song the difference will always come out.
As I teach music I always remind my students that all I am doing is providing keys that can help them unlock their creative element or spark. The ideas that we have about music are never the same. What is important is to maintain the critical elements that keep the art in its correct perspective, harmony, melody and rhythm.
In other words, as long as you work your talent and seek to remain true to who you are you will have an impact. Don’t shun your musical instincts as they are there to bring out the best in you.
Do you know that at times even the most basic musical skill can be so grand as long as one’s spirit and passion is alive?
Singing like Ne-Yo, Chris Brown or any of your favourite singers is okay but it must not be your ultimate goal.
The world needs your unique interpretation and expressions so fine-tune yourself to do that incomparable. As I discuss on developing our personal musical instincts by tapping into our creative element it is also important to recognise our local languages as an important ingredient to the whole subject of uniqueness.
During the Harare International Festival of the Arts I watched a lot of performances that I really enjoyed but did not understand a single bit of the message. They sang in their local languages. So what is relevant?
Every language and style is relevant as long as the spirit and the soul of the artiste stick out. Present yourself in a language that you are confident and comfortable with.
All the musical expression have been birthed out of a deep passion by the singers and music composers and so you can too.
l Richard Kohola is a music critic and development expert and can be contacted on the following number 0772 382 871 or email [email protected].