After All, English Is Not Our Mother Language!

Oliver Mtukudzi (MHSRIP) may have been a composer-par-excellence, but he was not an exceptional guitarist

Clive Mono Mukundu

I found myself in trouble with a few people after I posted my lists of the most influential & innovative instrumentalists in Zimbabwe.

Although I'm not an English language guru and I always "brake" English every time (without shame though because it’s not my first language), there are many who are worse than me. Today, I need to state a few areas where they got it all wrong.

Also take note that I use English for the benefit of other followers who don't understand my mother tongue so its no wonder there are words some people (not you reading this) failed to understand:

1: MY LIST

This phrase tells you that the list is subjective. According to vocabulary.com, the word "Subjective" means it's something that depends on personal opinions: it means that this is not the universal truth. Subjective is the opposite of objective, which refers to things that are more clear-cut facts, like the fact that the earth is round. So this means instead of saying "Your list is wrong”, you can simply have your own list and stop telling me, "You have left out so and so."

2: WHAT MUSICIANS CALL BEST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FAME:

Every time you ask people to list their best musicians, you will always find that a musician's list will always differ from a music fan's list. This is because a musician's list is not influenced by how famous a musician is, his stage theatrics, spinning on stage does not make one a good musician, but a good stage performer. That’s why my list includes such names as Shangwa Sithole as one of the best bass players in Zimbabwe, yet the name is virtually unknown. But as musicians we know each other.

Many times, journalists make the mistakes of listing their own lists of "The best instrumentalists in Zimbabwe.” I advise them to consult musicians first. Because the fact that Mtukudzi is the most popular and most influential artist who played guitar does not mean that he can be included on the list of the best guitarists. (I only used him and the following others as examples because they are personal friends). Yes, he was a great composer, great artist and performer who put Zimbabwe on the international map, but on guitar he was just as basic as Bob Nyabinde and Steve Makoni. I would have given you other names, but that would get me in trouble.

3: SESSION MUSICIANS ARE THE BEST MUSICIANS:

Session musicians are musicians who work behind the scenes, so in the majority of cases they are not known. But all around the world if you ask any knowledgeable music guru, they will tell you that there is no skillful and knowledgeable musician better than a session musician. They fit in any band.Here in Zimbabwe, session musicians fit in almost any genre. You can't compare a session musician to a band leader who only understands what he composes, or an instrumentalist who plays in just one band, or genre.

4: DEBATE vs ARGUMENT:

It is allowed to have a different opinion. But disagree agreeably. This means you can have a different view without being disrespectful. Because verily, verily I say unto you, I DO NOT HESITATE TO BLOCK DISRESPECTFUL PEOPLE (on my social media handle). Tolerating nonsense is not a virtue.

Once again, this is Mono, God's favorite guitarist signing off.