After studying music for several years, I have had the pleasure of being tutored by several talented musicians. In my opinion, it is important to study and learn from a variety of people [musicians and non-musicians alike]. By diversifying your education, you gain access to a multitude of information to learn, recreate, and make your own.
Studying with those who don’t teach music can benefit you and your career as musician in a variety of ways. There are a number of fields that you can study to help develop other aspects of your persona as a performer such as meditation, dance, theater, speech, networking, marketing, sales, and comedy. Being a musician requires you to have a variety of skills, so, for example, it helps to explore different abilities you may need to possess.
Sometimes, however, studying with multiple teachers can present difficulties. More often than not, each teacher has their own individual approach to teaching; I have had teachers who feel “their way” is the “only way” and I have had teachers who try to help their students find their own way. I have also had teachers who are still trying to find themselves and they try different things out on you to see if those methods work for them too. The most important thing is to consider whatever information a teacher passes onto you, reflect on it and then decide for yourself what is best for you.
And don’t forget that no matter whom you study with, there is an opportunity to take something away. You can learn from ANYONE. Teachers can only give you the tools to do what you need to do. It is up to you to come away from your studies with whatever knowledge you can.
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