The following contains excerpts from the book, Cultivating an Unshakable Character (Jim Rohn).
As a musician, I have come to see music as more than simply sound, but rather as relationships.
I was impressed by Duke Ellington’s habit of listening to the individuals in his ensemble improvise their own unique riffs, then go home to transcribe those passages, turning them around to use them in his scores, giving those ideas back to the same players to play. In other words, he listened to his team and synthesized their uniqueness into his compositions. He also, in searching for new players, was uninterested in finding musicians that sounded cohesive. He instead wanted players that were unique in their tonal production, so that they would stand out as individuals. This practice further highlighted the individual lines and linear writing in his compositions.
J.S. Bach, similarly, was interested in linear writing. In his preface to the famous “Two- and Three-part Inventions for the Piano,” he wrote the following:
A faithful Guide, whereby admirers of the Clavichord are shewn a plain Method of learning not only to play clean in two Parts, but likewise in further Progress to manage three obligato Parts well and correctly, and at the same time not merely how to get good Inventions [ideas], but also how to develop the same well; but above all, to obtain a cantabile style of playing, and together with this to get a strong Foretaste of [the art of] Composition.
Notice the word, Cantabile, or ‘singing’ style. Singing is a uniquely melodic concept. In other words, it is linear in nature. This compositional approach can be seen particularly well in Bach’s Chorales, where each part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) could be seen as dramatic interplay between the parts, much like characters in a play have conflict and resolution.
What I have come to believe about music is that it is not predominantly sound. Of course, we hear music. But that is not its essence. I have come to believe that music is relationships. Relationships can be defined in many ways. Here are a few:
- Relationship with the music, as a performer
- Relationship with yourself, as an interpreter or creator
- Relationship with God, through music in worship
- Relationship with other musicians, in teamwork
- Relationship with the audience
- Relationship to your instrument or voice
- Relationship and influence in your community
In establishing music as Relationship, this opens up an essential need for a musician/artist to have a successful understanding of basic ‘people skills,’ as well as leadership and management skills. I have been to many music schools, workshops, and festivals and have yet to hear anyone teach along these lines.
It is impossible to have successful relationships without a solid character. A flawed character will erode any attempts to work in collaboration with other artists. No one is perfect, but even through imperfect decisions, an individual can learn to forgive and ask for forgiveness.
I have seen, over the years, many people who were truly gifted musicians and artists fail miserably because they spent all their effort developing their craft, while neglecting their character.
In our music school in Odessa Texas, we hope to help students develop a strong character.
In the book “Cultivating an Unshakable Character,” Jim Rohn shares his personal testimony of how he went from working on a farm, burdened with sizable debt while trying to raise a family, to becoming a millionaire by age 30. He teaches about the importance a business entrepreneur made in his life who helped him to change his thinking, speaking, and view of himself and life.
We believe teachers can make a significant difference in the lives of the students in our music school in Odessa Texas, helping them see a future full of possibilities.
He emphasizes the importance of having a clear picture of what one wants in life. When we have a clear vision, that in turn, becomes the motivation for the disciplines we will acquire in order to obtain those goals. “Without the promise of the future, life becomes a little less worth living. If the promise is clear, we will pay the disciplines. Reasons make the difference. If you have enough reasons, you can do spectacular things.”
We encourage students in our music school in Odessa Texas to have a wholesome reason to pursue their musical aspirations.
He emphasizes the importance of personal growth. “We get paid for bringing value to the market-place. When we work, it takes time, but we don’t get paid for the time, we get paid for the value. It’s possible to become twice as valuable, and make twice as much money in the same time. To do this you must work harder on yourself than you do on your job.”
One of the most important concepts we teach students in our music school in Odessa Texas is to consistently add value to their lives by growing and increasing just a little bit each day.
He emphasizes principles of continuous learning, and life disciplines. Getting started on a road towards success is as simple as starting where you are, just doing what you know to do. “It’s the simple things, the easy things that make the difference. But the things that are easy to do are also the things that are easily left undone.”
Another foundational principle we teach in our music school in Odessa Texas is to emphasize basic core aptitudes, or skill sets, foundational to music making. An example of this would be scale practice, and music theory, among other similar things.
Jim Rohn portrays a life-example of Biblical values applied to the market-place. His success is an inspiration, and his willingness to share in simple terms the pathway there, makes for a rewarding learning experience.
We believe it is the responsibility of each teacher in our music school in Odessa Texas to envision each student to have a ‘can-do’ attitude, expressed in this book, “Cultivating an Unshakable Character.”