Two recently resurfaced arguments that in my brain are long-settled.
- “You can’t sing straight-tone healthfully.” I can’t believe vocal educators are still saying that, when the evidence is clear that that is simply not the case. Any style of singing can be healthy. Any style of singing can be unhealthy. Saying otherwise betrays a lack of respect for musical traditions outside your own.
- “Jazz isn’t a real music. You just play all the wrong notes.” This was overheard, I kid you not, from a current collegiate music student. How did this student make it into a college music program without being disabused of this notion. Or, rather, how did this idea get put into their head by teachers?
These overheard biases remind me of a couple things. First, they remind me that I need to continue to spread the word about what I know to be true; there are still people who need to hear it. Second, they remind me that changing public perception of firmly-held beliefs isn’t a short-term project; it will take generations to change.
If you know something to be true but not everyone believes you, dig in: it’s going to take a long time.