The Struggle Towards the Whole Musician

1) A well-trained ear; 2) A well-trained mind; 3) A well-trained heart; 4) A well-trained hand. All four must develop together, in constant equilibrium. As soon as one lags behind or rushes ahead, there is something wrong. - Zoltan Kodaly

So with these thoughts in mind I thought I'd create a bucket list of all the things I need to do/ or have done in order to create a little tally next to these ideas.


I'm not sure if Kodaly meant life experience, however that is how I am interpreting it.




1) A well-trained ear

• Score Study (different ensembles/ styles, levels of achievement) 
• Choir (attend as many as possible) 
• Singing 
• Musicianship 
• Conducting 
• Teaching 
• Performances in varied groups/ styles (Chamber, Symphony, Band, Brass Band, Choir, Chamber Choir, Solo, Jazz, Jazz Band, Musical Theatre, Sacred/ Secular, Programmatic, Rock, Popular, Orchestra) 
• Listening to varied composers 
• Analysis 
• Dictation 
• Orchestration of well known tunes 
• Arranging for varied ensembles 
• Performance and rehearsal of quality works 
• Composition (imitating the great composers/ experimenting with your own ideas) 
• Sing & Plays 
• Practice (singing, playing, performing, listening, critiques) 

2) A well-trained mind

• Quality higher education (finish degree) 
• Travel 
• Listening (to people's stories!) 
• Discussion 
• Reading (philosophy, music, psychology, mythology) 
• Watch (quality documentaries) 
• Observe 
• Write (journals, documents, articles, presentations) 

3) A well-trained heart

• Love 
• Loss 
• Teach 
• Dream 
• Be vulnerable 

4) A well-trained hand

• Practice smart and hard 

Regards,


Musochick