Music is a Universal Language

Anyone can give a TED talk. The only requirement is in line with the company’s motto, “ideas worth spreading.” This broad spectrum paves the way for people from all walks of life to be welcomed to the speaking stage.

Victor Wooten is regarded as one of the best bassists of all time. His resume includes three consecutive awards as Top Bassist from Bass Player magazine and even a spot on the top ten Bassists list from Rolling Stone Magazine. He’s even a five-time Grammy winner. Above all else, he is a compassionate human being that believes music is for everyone. In Wooten’s TED talk, “Music as a Language,” he details his upbringing in music as well as core values that have helped him as a music educator and musician.

Early on, the basis (HA PUN) of Wooten’s talk regards the way he learned music. Before he even picked up an instrument, he was surrounded by music-making. His brothers would play music around him and he was welcomed to join and listen. He compares this experience to learning English. We learn English not by speaking it first, but instead by being surrounded with it. When surrounded with it, we start to slowly understand the language. Furthermore, he notes (PUN) that a two-year-old is not corrected for mispronouncing words or poor speech. Opposite to music, a new student is constantly corrected and not given that opportunity of freedom.

In Wooten’s experience he had this freedom. Starting out, all he did was hold an instrument while his siblings played. The point here is that he was able to feel and appreciate the music without even having to make a sound. The act of—just holding the instrument—was enough for him to connect and form this bond with music.

Wooten may have been born and raised a musician, but his life experience is relevant to all professions. He brings up a few fantastic points and questions. He asks, “What does the world need with another good musician?” He applies this question to all careers and invites the audience to reflect on their own work. To me, this—strikes an obligation—to be passionate in your career and find a greater purpose. We already have doctors, musicians, and lawyers, so it’s crucial to have intrapersonal motive behind this decision.

Also, he offers a perspective on humility that I have never heard before. He describes being put on a pedestal and that our reaction is to remain humble and try to take ourselves down from this elevated view. He advises accepting this view of yourself ad instead pulling people up to the pedestal with you. This is a beautiful perspective and the world would be a much better place if we all had these intentions.

Wooten is a compassionate human being that lacks an ego. He wants to pull people up with him. He closes his talk by saying that music brings people together and you don’t have to understand it to get it. As a future music educator, his words resonate with me. Music is for everyone.