This blog will focus on the theme of Versatility in Caribbean music.
Background of Versatility in Music
According to the book, Tour de Force, versatility in music occurs when “musicians engage in a wide range of musical practices in order to achieve a sustainable career in music.” Throughout history, versatility has been a common occurrence in music as musicians strived to build credible and sustainable careers in the music industry. Versatility in music is essential as it encourages an entrepreneurial mindset and boosts financial stability and reliability. Additionally, in today’s society, many artists in the Caribbean have another source of income unrelated to music to ensure financial security.
Customary practices that display versatility include:
Performance
Instruction
Examples of performance and instruction include playing an instrument or composing music. Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Germany on December 17th, 1770 eventually becoming one of the greatest composers ever to live. Ludwig van Beethoven displayed versatility in music as the famous prodigy was a pianist and composer.
Photo taken from: https://www.cbc.ca/music/ludwig-van-beethoven-s-best-2-minutes-1.5789472
The video below highlights Beethoven’s versatility in music to achieve economic security.
Other Examples Displaying Versatility in Music
Another way versatility in music can be portrayed is by leading a choir. According to the article, Money From Music: Survey Evidence On Musicians’ Revenue and Lessons about Copyright Incentives by Peter DiCola, musicians play multiple roles including the administrator, live performer, teacher, or salaried player in a band, ensemble, or orchestra. In a survey conducted by DiCola, 89% of the respondents played two or more of these roles as successful musicians require flexibility in their careers.
Photo taken from: https://www.facebook.com/KevinGTomlinsonsAcademyForThePerformingArts/
The videos below display Mr. Tomlinson's versatility in music as a youth choir director and a pianist.
