The lecturers are your friend
Mustafa mentions the difference in education between China and The Netherlands, specifically the master’s course in Jazz & Pop. “In China everything is arranged and pretty much set in stone. Here we can choose to do whatever we want, as long as it has a relation to music. That was a really good experience for me. The people are nice, everybody’s free to talk. No one seems to be shy, which was so different in China. Everybody here just sits in a circle, you can talk to your lecturers like they are your friends.”
It’s really exciting to graduate with something that’s so directly tied to my cultural heritage"
The same difference is noticeable in the way music is played. “I knew what improvisation was, of course. But over here there’s more freedom to actually use it on stage. It’s even encouraged. Music is a universal language, but the approach can differ from culture to culture.” He ponders this, then continues: “Music is a pill for everything. When you feel sad, you listen to music. When you feel happy, you listen to music. It always works.”
Know what you want
Mustafa advises potential students of the Master to think about what they really want. “Make sure you know what type of music you want to play. It’s really hard to transition later on. I mean, I was able to transition from classical percussionist to drummer, but it was really hard. But on the other hand: it felt great finding that out. I’m even in a band now — we play pop music, Gypsy Kings, that kind of stuff!"
More about the master's course Jazz & Pop Zwolle
Develop your own vision, sound and style as a professional music performer and curator with the two-year English-language Master Jazz & Pop in Zwolle. Being a successful musician nowadays means more than having talent and knowing your instrument: the field is constantly evolving, and old stories require new deliverance.
Learn more about this master's course in Music