adminNkosilathi Sibanda Urban Beats
In my many years as a fan of the creative industry, I have noticed there are people who take artistes for a ride. Being an artiste, in whichever genre, subjects one to ridicule from society. The trend is particularly nasty in Africa. Sadly it starts at home. There is no scorned a parent, than the one with children who turned out to be musicians. Oh yes, I know this very well. Few of our old folks have accepted their child choosing the microphone.
It is an abomination! Of all professions, music is deemed a pastime, an activity confined to those who are not serious about life.
Musicians suffer the crudest stereotype of all. Few see them as professionals. Just like if one tells you they are an artiste. The first misconstrued thought is that they are doing nothing. What is an artiste?
“Sorry what is it that you said you do?” These are the dumb questions people will fire at an artiste.
During our good old days at primary school there was one question that every Grade One pupil had to answer to. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Not at once, in my formative years, did I meet a child who wished to be a musician. Teachers also did not encourage pupils to take up music.
Is music not a profession? Not every Jack and Jill can play a piano, let alone open their mouth in front of crowds. It takes an expert to do that. If music is for experts, then I am safe to say musicians are pros.
Several universities in Zimbabwe offer programmes in music. The Midlands State University is singled as having the most vibrant music school.
So, is there anyone reading this who still doubts that music is a profession? Read on.
The music industry is a business – period. Whether your child ends up working in a studio or at big music distributors, they will be expected to work long hours in a highly competitive work environment and to achieve measurable successes under difficult circumstances.
They may wear jeans at work but that does not mean they are working any less than their friends who have to wear a suit and tie.
Get it?
The music industry, as I have observed, has long working hours. If given the opportunity, a child with music talent has the potential to advance and perform well in life.
So many examples abound of child stars in music. Musicians get cool perks too. They will earn them hard just like any other professional.
I had an interesting conversation with one music lecturer at the Midlands State University about music and making money. He said to be a musician and or to work with music is a legitimate talent.
“If your child has it, then the music industry has a legitimate, serious career for them. For example, if a child loves music, parents should provide opportunities for that child to learn and work with music. It can be something as simple as singing in the church or community choir or participating in community theatre musicals.”
Expertise comes with practice and experience.
I have to share it with you that a professional musician is one who plays an instrument or several instruments proficiently; performing is their primary source of income.
The important idea in nurturing is that a child be given opportunities to develop his or her interests and abilities, whatever they may be.
In our previous installment we parted shots asking what makes a good musician?
I did not bother to ask around. All of us can take the mic and shout but what separates the chaff is a combination of sorts.
A fan’s view would be to conclude that the mark of a good musician stands in practice and skill. Of course Justin Bieber made it to the US Billboard charts in just a year. But, if he has to stand the test of time, the young man has to garner experience and run through a drill.
In Bulawayo, I would bet the last penny on my thin wallet if there are any young musicians that have the skill and the experience.
The wish to be a musician is there but exposure to the industry is like having to go to Mars on foot. Underground musicians see a far world where established artistes enjoy cognac and champagne.
So, next time you find it hard to conjure that dream of a child who wants to be a fulltime musician, please consider some of these factors.
Instead of shooting down a dream, rather help define it and offer opportunities.
One cannot, out of the blue, pledge to live without the singers and players of instruments.
How would humankind have expressed thought and feeling if instruments and the voice were not in existence?
This goes to those parents who shatter a child’s dream to be a music star.
Had we not musical voices, what would have become of our stories? By handing over the music heritage to our children, we reclaim the lost tradition of story-telling.
Music has become the leading outlet in telling Africa’s stories. Go to any part of the world and play a Miriam Makeba song, everyone will guess telling a story is an endowment and musicians have it.
Amongst ourselves, music lovers and rude critics, all we are good at is to analyse and conclude. The best we make is to destroy young artistes.
Lay, as many of us are, thinking in our living that opinion is all that matters, forgetting where our music comes from.
Part of the blame on Bulawayo’s slump in the music industry is that the city’s musicians have gone broke – financially and mentally too.
Maybe parents who hate the profession are taking it from that point.
Charity begins at home. Parents must be at the fore of pushing children to appreciate music. You never know, that could be your lifeline when you are a pensioner.
Let’s keep the conversations going on twitter @nkosi legend or whatsapp 0773 481 603
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