What does it mean to build musicianship?  Musicianship is the skills and experience you need to become a working musician.  This includes theoretical studies, training the ear (really the brain), understanding musical style, composition, literacy (reading), improvisation and much more.  

Our conservatory systems tend to focus on curriculum and examinations and push students and teachers to focus on outcomes like the examination success.  This often gets in the way of teaching and learning. Has a student had a good education if they play only a handful of pieces-mostly for exam preparations in an academic term (often one year of study).  Absolutely not!  Students should learn a vast array of works by different composers, time periods and styles.  

Students should also learn works that don’t necessarily resonate with them; in other words, they don’t like.  Why?  Would you ask an athlete if they like every exercise, they do that lead towards their goals?  There is part of every activity that is worthwhile that we don’t and won’t enjoy.  Learning something new can be both painful or perceived of as painful. Repetition building endurance; who likes that? Some do…you?  Speed increase until it seems impossible, and you can’t seem to break the barrier.  Memory work that seems to never be successful.  Interpretations that you are never satisfied. Grit, sweat: persistence is critical. 

Building musicianship includes going to concerts and listening to music of all genres.  If you are a pianist, listen to opera and symphonic work.  Embrace the complete works of a composer.  This will give you the edge to play the “one” you are trying to master. 

Listen to performance practice; find as many recordings as you can of great artists playing the work you are practicing.  Compare and steal ideas.  Yes, steal them!  All artists steal ideas and mix them up in new and unique ways. 

Learn and understand music history and composer’s biographies.  Listen to music of all styles even if you hate them.  

Most importantly, go out and live.  Great musicianship comes from a broad knowledge and experience of life.  Every composer has lives lived that have given them ideas and emotions to start their compositions.  You can’t learn to be a great musician in a practice room!