Turino Themes

ere are a vast number of common themes in the two texts we studied. In both “The Collective and Competitive Nature of Musical Performance” and “Becoming a musician” one theme ties many other themes together. The competitiveness, we see in Turino’s text is very closely related to how a student learns and improves by the unique relationship with their Guru in Northern Indian music. Even though the two cultures are worlds apart, competitiveness is universal and part of human nature. In both texts we see how this drives the musicians to reach higher levels of performance. Competitiveness helps drive special relationships, between the musicians, and those around them. Both leaders, the Guia and the Guru are important parts of competitiveness. However
In Northern Indian music, the leader known as a Guru is much more important and influential part of the music than the Guia we see in Peru, however nonetheless both are extremely important in the production of music in the two cultures. Without the Guia in Turino’s text, it would not be possible for the musical performances to take place. Even though the Guia is not necessarily the teacher of the ensemble, they all learn through him. “The guia should be a skilled performer, have detailed knowledge of the tuning. voicing. and repertory of the tradition in question, and be able to set the correct tempos and initiate the tunes. Since he is usually among the most skilled composers, he also has major responsibility for shaping the ensemble's repertory.”(Turino 60) The Guia that Turino describes as “ the most skilled composer” is very similar to that of the Guru in Northern Indian music. The Guru is the master of arts and all that needs to be learnt in North Indian music is done by completely listening and imitation the
This relationship is not just one of student and a teacher, as Turino would put it, but more like an all-knowing father figure. In this type of music, it is not just learnt but music is a specific way of life. The Guru teaches his student how to live, act, eat and practice correctly which are all seen as more important then actual music. “The guru enculturates the shishya into musical life.”(Neuman 50) The relationship like father and son is need in order for the guru to teach the shishya correctly. If the relationship is not this strong then the guru will not be completely devoted to the shishya and complete learning and immersion into the lifestyle will not occur. The guru needs to maintain complete control over his disciple in order to transmit all his knowledge and wisdom. Learning how to practice correctly is very important in Northern Indian tradition, without complete devotion between the two people the correct manner of practice cannot be learnt. Even though the guru is a musical master, the relationship allows him to transmit so much more and this allows such amazing music to be produced. There is a difference between the art of producing music and being a musician. The years of training with the guru automatically teach the shishya how to become and