Friday, October 19, 2012

Selling Out, Practicing, and Moving On

My music career is moving along. I've been busy networking quite a bit. Great friends have put me in touch with some musicians that are willing to help me. This has all resulted in working on my music with a wonderful musician/producer from NYC/England. He is quite an inspiration to talk to, as his own story is full of struggles and incredible moments. I'm looking forward to letting you know more about him and the work on my music!

Since my last blog post, I've run across situations where the following issues have come up. I thought I'd share my views with the hope that this will help someone out in the music world...or any other field that you love.

#1 Selling out on your style for the sake of "making it," is NOT "making it." I feel like I need to say that to almost every musician that contacts me for an audition. People get very excited when they hear of well formed plans, gigs/touring, industry connections, etc. However, playing a style that you don't love will just cause tension in the group, you will be miserable, and the music will suffer. Also, musicians should avoid trying to change musicians that love another style. It is one thing to evolve, and an entirely different thing to be forced. There is something to be said for musicians that truly love what they do...and an obvious difference in the quality of their playing.

#2 Practicing isn't an option and it takes a significant amount of time. I don't understand how people think that they can be really great without the work. There is nothing wrong with using music as a hobby. The problem comes when people decide to enter the professional world and never consider the practicing/training involved. Shows like American Idol, glamorize the music industry and make people think that real training/practice isn't necessary. I have found that this concept is gaining speed in younger generations. They go off to college for music, but lack the discipline to practice on their own. They only practice the minimum needed to accomplish requirements for their degree. They end up being good musicians, but not excellent. Musicians that take the time to study with a great teacher and practice for countless hours, are superior to those that don't. They are also less likely to injure themselves from improper technique. This used to be common sense, but common sense isn't so common anymore.

#3 Sometimes you need to know when to move on.  There must be something in the air, but I have talked with so many musicians lately, that are thinking of giving up their serious music careers. People give up too soon. It is difficult to achieve extraordinary things. That is why many never make it. They don't like the uncomfortable feelings when things go wrong and they give up. Giving up on your dream out of frustration...is not acceptable. Giving up on your dream because your band fell apart...is not acceptable. Giving up on your dream because you feel like you work so hard and get nothing in return...is not acceptable. You can only give up and feel good about it, when you've found a dream to pursue that completely wipes out the old dream. I changed my dreams in music several times, but only because I found more fulfilling ways to make music. The important thing is that you discover your passion in life. I think that one of the worst things a person can do, is give up on a dream and spend the rest of their life wondering..."what if?"