It is Easy to Be the Top 80% But...
Had coffee with a violin teacher, he has been in the industry for more than 20 years. He has trained many students who became professionals. During our coffee, I learned something interesting about his observations.
- 20 years ago, it is difficult to outplay an average violinist.
- 20 years ago, the standard of a top 20% violinist is lower than the top 20% of modern performers.
- Current time, anyone who is passionate about music and willing to put in the effort. It is easy to outplay an average violinist.
- Current time, it is more difficult to join the top 20% club of violinist.
According to him, the factors are as follows:
- His average students spend lesser time practising their craft. He blames the mobile phone and other distractions that takes the attention away from practicing. Therefore, the standard of average players has dropped. To beat the average players, ones should just spent a little more effort to study and practise.
- Information and playing methodology are readily available on the internet. Before the Internet, information and lessons used to cost a lot of money. With information and lessons freely available, this has equalise the playing field and improved the standard of playing. This has allowed talented and committed individuals to raise their skills. Thus raising the standard of top tiers players.
I have no way of proving my friend's observation. Nevertheless, I agree to his opinion. I learned many automation functions and Excel skills through YouTube, Reddit and forums. If is back in the 1990s, I will have to take a lesson or visit the bookshop. My acquired skills will not make me be the best in the market, but enough to be better than the average.
The days of "I don't know" is over. Many new skills are within our grasp. Whether we want to develop or not is entirely up to us.