Technique vs. Musicality

Jack Grassel

The great violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin once said:

"I have nothing against virtuosity. I admire it, applaud it, and think it's fantastic. Such advanced craftsmanship, such skill, it is to be admired and cultivated. But there comes a time when virtuosity can become self destructive because it must be fed by musicianship. When musicianship does not fully feed virtuosity, virtuosity, destroys itself."

I’ll try to explain my understanding of this powerful statement. Technique is the skill one has at using tools. Musicianship is the vision in one’s mind that appears in the world by using skill and tools. You can also think of the term “mileage” (life experience-human feeling) that colors the notes you play withsomething that is sensed by the listener.

Mileage is the term Willie Brown uses constantly in the movie "Crossroads". Is there a limit to human feeling? If you have more technique than you need and use it, the music may sound empty. If you do not have enough technique to express your feelings, the music might sound incompetent. Techique and feeling have to be in accord.

From observing Mr. Menuhin play, it seemed that he was always aware of each note. His motive was pure, to simply play the best possible music, and that’s it. As we go through life, we accumulateexperiences which shape and color our music. We need to constantly increase our technical skill as we increase our capacity for feeling and keep them in balance with each other.

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Additional support:

See the movie "Crossroads".

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