Off the Record

The X-Factor

You’ve heard of the phrase, the X-Factor, right? You’ve heard people say, “He’s got the X-Factor”. Even Simon Cowell is making millions doing a reality show around that word. But what IS the X-Factor, really?

It’s tough to describe what it actually is but you will definitely know it when you see it. It’s that something that gives a person an aura of personality, charm and attraction that is extremely attractive. It’s not just good looks. There are some artists who don’t look THAT good but is considered more attractive.

The X-Factor is definitely hard to pin down but it is something that the music industry relies on. When record executives look for the next big thing, they are always looking for that artist and performer who has that extra special something. The music industry is one that never looks at a diploma, a degree or that one studied singing for 5 years with the top vocal coach in the country.

The reason is simple. It’s market-driven. Music listeners do not review your resume when they listen to your song. They don’t note down that you received a Grade 8 in ABRSM when they listen to your performance. They don’t go, “Oh that was a nice little diminished seventh chord that he used.”

They just listen to your music. And if your music and performance hits them at their very soul for some reason, coupled with a personality and look that is captivating and magnetic, then YOU...have the X-Factor.

And that’s the disconnect I find between a lot of the formal music education out there and the real-world demands from music listeners and buyers.

There are times that I get asked to discussions in universities and colleges centering around how to bring real-world situations to the classroom. These discussions are great and should be encouraged more. However, in my opinion, the industry that needs this the most is the creative industry, especially in the understanding of the X-Factor and how that drives the entire industry.

This understanding should not be a small minor educational afterthought, or an elective in the music syllabus. Understanding X-Factor will enable students of music, to direct all the different subjects they learn in a formal setting, to serve the one true goal:- awareness, understanding and the nurturing of the X-Factor. For the X-Factor will give you the hits, and hits will always ensure the music industry flourishes.

I’m not suggesting that X-Factor should be taught as a subject. It just can’t be done. You can’t teach X-Factor, you just have it.

I’m suggesting that it is important to teach how to recognise X-Factor. Once recognised, all the formal training of music theory, songwriting, production and management will fall into place.

So to all of you music students, don’t be misguided and be slave to making sure your productions are note-perfect. Don’t be a slave to technically-correct music. Listen carefully to Elvis, The Beatles, Nirvana and many other ground-breaking music and you will find a LOT of wrong notes and technically-incorrect performances.

But Elvis’ music producer and his record label understood that it’s not about being musically perfect. It’s about creating a mood, a feeling, an aura of excitement that will drive listeners wild. The music producer worked on making sure Elvis’ X-Factor is the main highlight in his music (Elvis’ growls, vibratos, low notes, that tingling sensation when you hear him sing) and the record label and management made sure his look and stage performance pushed his X-Factor out in the open. I can safely bet that at no point of time in his career that anyone from his team said, “You know, that was real nice singing but you can’t use that note over that chord. It’s musically wrong.”

The great music producers and record label executives know that the fans only care about the magnetic aura of the artist, not whether they technically used the correct note or not.

Sadly, I do come across many students of music who are more into “the correct method”, oblivious to their elitist stance. I have heard remarks like, “Oh my, I can’t believe people like this band! They are using the wrong chords! You should teach them the PROPER way to play!”

When we study music, we come across “rules”. One needs to be aware that “rules” in music are actually historical examples of music evolution. It is imperative that music students understand that ALL great artists break these “rules”. Music as an art form has to always innovate and progress to remain vibrant. No one wants to hear music that has already been done before. Any artist that do something new in their next album is committing creative suicide.

Yes, music students, you should still study music. Yes, you should still know what the correct methods, notes and “rules” are for music. But more importantly, much more importantly, you have to serve the X-Factor.

For that is what everyone is looking for.