Music as a language

by Victor Wooten

Music is a language. Both music and verbal languages serve the same purpose. They are both
forms of expression. They can be used as a way to communicate with others. They can be read and
written they can make you laugh or cry, think or question and can speak to one or many, and both
can definitely make you move.

In some instances, music works better than the spoken word because it doesn't have to be
understood to be effective. Although many musicians agree that music is a language, it is rarely
treated as such. Many of us treat it as something that can only be learned by following a strict
regimen under the tutelage of a skilled teacher. This approach has been followed for hundreds of
years with proven success but it takes a long time… too long.

Think about the first language you learned as a child. More importantly, think about how you
learned it. You were a baby when you first started speaking and even though you spoke the
language incorrectly, you were allowed to make mistakes. And the more mistakes you made, the
more your parents smiled. Learning to speak was not something you were sent somewhere to do
only a few times a week. And the majority of the people you spoke to were not beginners, they
were already proficient speakers.

Imagine your parents forcing you to only speak only to other babies until you were good enough
to speak to them. You would probably be an adult before you can carry on a proper conversation.
To use a musical term, as a baby you were allowed to jam with professionals.

If we approach music in the same natural way we approached our first language, we would learn
to speak in the same short time it took to speak our first language. Proof of this can be seen in
almost any family where a child grows up with other musicians in the family.

Here are a few keys to follow in learning or teaching music:

 In the beginning embrace mistakes instead of correcting them. Like a child playing air
guitar, there are no wrong notes.
 Allow young musicians to play and perform with accomplished musicians on a daily basis.
 Encourage young musicians to play more than they practice. The more they play the more
they will practice on their own. Music comes from the musician not from the instrument.
 And most importantly, remember that a language works best when we have something
interesting to say. Many music teachers never find out what the student have to say, we
only tell them what they are supposed to say.

A child speaks a language for years before they even learn the alphabet. Too many rules at the
onset will actually a slow them down. In my eyes, the approach to music should be the same. After
all music is a language, too.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yRMbH36HRE Transcribed by: Cley Velázquez

1. According to Wooten, what purpose do music and verbal languages serve?

a. They are both ways to get more intelligent.

b. They are both forms of expression.
c. They are both ways to help you understand science.
d. They are both much harder than writing.

2. According to the video, when children are learning to speak, what best describes the majority
of people they speak to?

a. Children are only allowed to speak to adults only after they are good speakers.
b. Children interact with other children and people of other ages.
c. Adults don’t speak to children because they don’t know to speak.
d. Children need to learn to read first and then they learn to speak.

3. In some instances, music works better than the spoken word. Why?

a. Speaking takes too much time.

b. Music is better than speaking or writing.
c. Music is older than spoken language.
d. Music doesn't have to be understood to be effective.

4. What is Wooten’s opinion on learning under a strict course with a skilled teacher?

a. It's the best way and only to learn to do music.

b. Nobody learns music this way.
c. It's completely wrong.
d. It’s ok but it takes a long time. Too long.

5. How did you learn to speak? Were you allowed to make mistakes? How do you think those
mistakes helped you learn the language? How do you think that relates to learning to play a
musical instrument?

6. Should beginning musicians play with accomplished musicians? Why? How often should it
happen? Who are some of your musical idols? Do you think they learn something when they play
with other musicians?

7. Wooten says that beginning musicians should play more than they practice. Do you agree? Why
or why not?

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yRMbH36HRE Edited by: Cley Velázquez