Condemning Individuality

       In a musical ensemble, players make subtle adjustments in order to blend with the group. Most of the time, it’s a subconscious decision. Without even knowing it, a string player will shift the position of their finger by a point seventh of a degree to achieve the perfect tone. Sometimes though, the shift is intentional. We may change the direction of our bow to match the principle, or extend a rest when we’ve gotten too far ahead. Either way, musicians are the greatest conformists while remaining the greatest individuals.

       Subtle adjustments may seem like no big deal, and it may seem like an exaggeration to call musicians “conformists”, but we change to fit the mold. And get this: it’s not a bad thing. The tiny changes players make, whether they think about them or not, help improve the piece. If a violinist decides not to move their finger by that point seventh of a degree, claiming they are “unique” or an “artist”, they could end up a half step sharp three measures later, compromising the sound of the entire ensemble. Music is a great form of individual expression when you play solo, or maybe in a quartet, but in a large ensemble, you must conform.

       You may be appalled by my condemnation of individuality, but that would make you a hypocrite. I guarantee, even if you are not a musician, that you make subtle adjustments in order to blend. Do you talk in a different voice when you order food at a restaurant? Do you choose your words differently when you talk to your parents than when you talk to your friends? Do you ever refrain from raising your hand in class or speaking up in discussion? Sometimes we say tiny changes like these are just a different side of us, a polite façade. And it is. We can’t all be individuals all the time. A) We’d all be overwhelmed and B) we’d all be exhausted. There is a large part of us that is dying to stand out, but there is also a smaller, lesser known part that craves uniformity.

       So, I beg of you, please conform. And yet, I still beg you to remain an individual. Nail that accent! Milk that crescendo! Play out that melodic line! But, please, listen for intonation, play piano when necessary, and don't play on a rest. In music, and in life, there is always a balance, whether it be among instruments or among people. Be an individual, yes, but listen to the world around you. The first violinist may carry the melody for nearly the entire tune, but she is not an orchestra, and even a star like herself must know how to blend.