Things have been moving along with the band. Music is being
written and we’re getting to know each other. We are still looking for a couple
more musicians to join up with us, but that will happen when the time is right.
Sacrificing quality to have a warm body fill the spot, is not something we’re
interested in. The only real issue that we seem to have at the moment, is
finding the time for everyone to contribute. I am self-employed as a musician
and I create my own hours. I am swamped right now with various concerts, but I
carve out time to dedicate to writing/practicing for this band. It is important
to me. The other band members don’t have this same luxury. Their jobs/families
keep them very busy. This is completely understandable and frustrating at the same
time. While I respect their lives and what they must do, I also know that time
is ticking away. There is this part of me that sacrifices constantly for the
sake of my music. It is part of who I am. Are my sacrifices any less or any
more than what anyone else would have to give up if they carved out time for
the band? I don’t think it is fair to judge. I will always do what I have to do
to achieve my music dreams. I never place my personal expectations on anyone
else. I simply sit back and see if the pieces to the puzzle will fit. Time
tells all. I have chosen this life for myself. No one is forcing me to
sacrifice for this career. I could choose to blow off writing/practicing so
that I can hang with friends more often or because I’d like to sleep a bit more.
My priorities won’t let me. I know that with each moment that passes, someone,
somewhere is practicing, writing, and achieving their dreams. I want that too,
so I continue to press on. I will not settle for less and I will not let my
sacrifices be in vain.
Breaking free from society’s view of a “normal” life, to make my music happen, has
been one of the most freeing experiences ever. I understand how terrifying it
is to step out of your comfort zone and declare yourself to be a self-employed
musician. You never know where your next paycheck will come from unless you
actively seek out music gigs. The thing is, the jobs are out there. To be
honest, I’m swamped! The problem is that many musicians develop an attitude
where they feel they are above certain paying gigs. For instance, I am a
symphonic metal vocalist…but I also play the piano for local high school chorus
concerts, music theatre events, recitals, orchestra concerts, churches, and
special events. I help instruct a local high school marching band. I teach
private voice and piano lessons. I play the trumpet, flute, or violin with
various chamber ensembles. I record the vocals for various songwriters. I
compose music for various groups. I am working in music and supporting myself.
Do I love every paid music opportunity that comes my way? No. There are times
when I’d like to pull my hair out. In fact, there was a time when I was so
ungrateful for my music opportunities, that I actually stopped all of it to
work a “normal” job. I was the most miserable person on the planet. This was a
very good thing, because I realized:
#1 It is ALWAYS my choice as to how I make
money and if I am miserable, only I have the power to change that…IF I am brave
enough to step out of my comfort zone and do something about it, instead of
just complaining. The problem is, people make you feel like you are being
risky or irresponsible by choosing a career that isn’t like everyone else’s. They
threaten you with supporting your family and saving for retirement. People
think that if you are told you will receive a paycheck every Friday and you
receive health benefits, you are set. News flash…let’s wake up! This economy is
making every job a risk. Teachers and health care providers are losing their
jobs. Health benefits cost entirely too much (U.S.). The cost of living is
increasing. There isn’t a safe option, so instead of living a miserable
existence with blinders on and assuming that your job is safe, why not pursue a
career that you will love? When you love your work, you will be a “go-getter”
and you’ll go after the opportunities and do a fantastic job. Mediocre
craftsmanship and poor customer service skills are getting old. If people
actually loved their work, I’m willing to bet that these issues would
disappear. I think that if everyone would stop holding back each other’s dreams
with their own fears and insecurities, we’d all be successful and thriving. I
also think that we’d all treat each other more kindly.
#2 If I’m going to
succeed in music, I must tailor my money-making careers and relationships to
suit the time requirements of a musician. This is reality. We have 24 hours
in a day. If you don’t put in the time now, you will not have anything to show
later. Quit kidding yourself with thoughts of “I’ll do it tomorrow…or someday I
will have time.” If you don’t get serious now, you will never do it. There is
never a “better time” to achieve your dreams. If you can’t motivate yourself to
get off the couch and practice or pull yourself away from the TV to write a few
bars, then you probably shouldn’t be a musician. Backbone makes a true
musician…not wishbone. You will end up wishing your entire life away if you
don’t make time for your dreams now. You need to figure out how much time you
need to dedicate to your craft each day. Obviously, if you want to be a
professional musician, you must spend more time than if you want to be an
amateur. Then, you MUST stick with this. The thing that just fries me, is that
people must think that the magic music fairy comes and taps me on the head and
I can magically perform with ease. When I say that I can’t go out for drinks
because I have practice…I seriously mean it. It is my work. It is my dream.
Respect it. It is important. If I don’t practice, I become mediocre and I won’t
get the gigs. If you can’t make yourself sacrifice time for practicing, don’t
plan on being a professional. Your money-making career needs to be something
that allows you to have enough time to achieve your goals. When I decided to
work a “normal” job, I was working incredibly long hours that left me unable to
dedicate enough time for music. This not only effected my progress, but
exhausted me emotionally. I became a cranky person like the majority of the
people out there that have settled on careers that they don’t enjoy. I did my
“normal” job up to standards, but I had absolutely no drive to be an
overachiever at the “normal” job. It bothered me that I knew I could be doing
an even better job at the “normal” job, but lacked the desire to go beyond what
was required. I knew that many of the other employees felt the same and they
also had dreams of other careers. I wondered how the world would be if
employers hired the people that were actually excited to do certain jobs and if
we all pursued the careers that interested us. I looked forward to going home
each day and stressed about returning to the “normal” job the next day. It was
a dreadful way to exist. My music skills began to deteriorate and I couldn’t
seem to gain any ground in music. I was spinning my wheels. Finally, I woke
up…got some courage…got a business plan…and jumped completely into music.
#3 Be grateful! So,
I learned to be very grateful for all of my music jobs. I genuinely enjoy
working in music. I learn so much and continue to refine my skills as a
musician…which helps me get closer to achieving my dream. Yes, there are quite
a few frustrations. I despise working with egotistical conductors and mean
people. I get highly irritated when students don’t practice and constantly
cancel their lessons. I don’t enjoy being on a football field with a marching
band that is bickering & has lost their drive to work because it is cold
and rainy. I’m not exactly thrilled when people give me a last minute gig with
incredibly difficult music to learn...that no person in their right mind would
ever accept (I swear I must be insane sometimes haha!). However, I am truly
grateful that people value my skills enough to seek me out. I am grateful for
the paycheck, I am grateful for the wonderful musicians I have worked with, I
am grateful that I have been able to help other musicians achieve their music
goals, but even more than that…I am grateful that my money-making jobs allow me
the time to pursue my music dream of having an incredible symphonic metal band.
When people hire me, they are not only receiving a high quality performance, but
they are helping me to achieve my goals in music. I’m not sure that they even
consider that, but I know that I am forever grateful for their support, and I
will never take that for granted.
Dreams are important. Money is important. One is not less or
more than the other…unless YOU decide that for your life. Balance is the key.
Sacrifice is necessary. Attitude is everything. Quit wishing and start
achieving.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
