Reflection: From Classical to Gospel

I trained for 15 years, formally, to become a classical pianist.  Four of those years were spent preparing to enter a college program, followed by four years of intense study as a performance major: two lessons a week, with a minimum of two hours of practice a day.  Along the way I accompanied choirs, musical theater productions, voice lessons, and opera rehearsals. 

After I graduated, I was asked to accompany the choir at my church.  No problem, I thought, until I was presented with chord charts, placed in a rhythm section, and asked to play a variety of styles from blues to gospel to the occasional reggae, calypso, r & b, and country.  It has been 11 years since that first "culture shock" and although I have seen progress in my playing, I still face uncertainty and self-doubt when faced with any "groove" varying from my Western European tradition.

Feeling lost is never so evident as when I am surrounded with musicians who grew up playing with a band...in a black gospel church...reading chord charts...learning by ear...you name it!  It's as if I am entering a foreign country where everyone else knows the language, and expects me to speak because I have a mouth!  But what comes out only slowly resembles the native language.  Thankfully, I have been privileged to work with amazing musicians who are not only professionals, but also are willing to teach and bear with my weaknesses.  Here, in no particular order, are the cultural barriers, if you will, that I have faced moving from a classical background to gospel, jazz, and blues:

From:
Reading notes on a page to Playing chord charts and/or Playing by ear
Playing two hands, all parts to Don't double the bass, leave room for other musicians
Scripted music to Improvisation
Isolated practice to Group rehearsals (or just a sound check!)
Hours of practice to Limited rehearsal time
Infrequent performances to Weekly or Bimonthly performances
Emphasis on technique to Emphasis on groove and creativity
One prominent cultural style to Many various styles
Learning to specialize to Learning to diversify

Last night my husband reminded me that if the tables were reversed, perhaps the very musicians I so admire would feel the same lack of confidence and "lostness" in reading through a classical piece.  Perhaps!  Nevertheless, I press on, seeking to become well-rounded and versed in multiple "languages" while continuing to perfect my mother tongue!