How many times have you heard a singer and said "I can do that," or heard a song and said "I could write a song like that," or heard a guitar solo and said "I could play like that"?
It is one thing to claim to be able to do something and quite another to actually do it. Thomas Jefferson said "Do not talk about what you have done or about what you are going to do." Simply make up your mind and do it.
Do not waste your time and words convincing yourself or others of the greatness you can achieve. Intelligent people have the ability to excel at whatever they put their mind to. The catch is putting your mind to it.
Success lies not in what you can do but what you do.
Find what you are passionate about and dedicate yourself to it. Apply your intelligence over time to accomplish things. There is a large distance between deciding to do something and actually accomplishing it.
31 December 2009
28 December 2009
The "P" Word - Be Quick to Throw Out Bad Ideas
The easiest and quickest way to end up with an album full of good ideas is to throw out the bad ones. The quicker you can recognize and get rid of ideas that are not working the better off you will be.
Pride causes a lot of musicians to force their ideas into a song or recording. They think that just because they had the idea or they thought something would work that it should work. This is a mistake. Do not, I repeat, do not waste your time squeezing a square peg into a round hole. If the idea does not work by the third try, move on to something else.
I have known countless musicians (myself included in the early days) who thought they were doing their idea justice by beating it into submission. Hours and even days spent pounding and polishing a single idea. That is a waste of precious time.
Ideas are a dime a dozen. The brilliance of an idea is not in how hard you work to make it fit, but in the effortlessness of its perfection.
Be quick to throw out ideas that are not working. The sooner you do, the sooner you will make room for ideas that actually do work.
Pride causes a lot of musicians to force their ideas into a song or recording. They think that just because they had the idea or they thought something would work that it should work. This is a mistake. Do not, I repeat, do not waste your time squeezing a square peg into a round hole. If the idea does not work by the third try, move on to something else.
I have known countless musicians (myself included in the early days) who thought they were doing their idea justice by beating it into submission. Hours and even days spent pounding and polishing a single idea. That is a waste of precious time.
Ideas are a dime a dozen. The brilliance of an idea is not in how hard you work to make it fit, but in the effortlessness of its perfection.
Be quick to throw out ideas that are not working. The sooner you do, the sooner you will make room for ideas that actually do work.
27 December 2009
2 Types of Practice
You can make great strides in your musical understanding and instrumental prowess if you separate mental practice from physical practice.
The mental part of music can be practiced most anytime and anywhere. You do not need your instrument. You can do it walking down the street or waiting in line at the grocery. Sing to yourself, sing scales and intervals. Familiarize yourself with the language of music. It will benefit you at all times including when you have your instrument in your hands.
The physical part of music needs your instrument. Your hands and muscles and coordination can not be improved without the physical presence of your instrument. Optimize this time to work on your physicality. Do not waste it practicing your mental music.
The physical practice can be broken down even further into right and left hands. This is especially true for instruments like piano and the string family.
If you try to practice both the mental and physical aspects of music at the same time, you will find yourself struggling to move forward. Break them apart and practice them separately and you will excel more quickly.
The mental part of music can be practiced most anytime and anywhere. You do not need your instrument. You can do it walking down the street or waiting in line at the grocery. Sing to yourself, sing scales and intervals. Familiarize yourself with the language of music. It will benefit you at all times including when you have your instrument in your hands.
The physical part of music needs your instrument. Your hands and muscles and coordination can not be improved without the physical presence of your instrument. Optimize this time to work on your physicality. Do not waste it practicing your mental music.
The physical practice can be broken down even further into right and left hands. This is especially true for instruments like piano and the string family.
If you try to practice both the mental and physical aspects of music at the same time, you will find yourself struggling to move forward. Break them apart and practice them separately and you will excel more quickly.
26 December 2009
Focus on Your Strengths
It is true for musicians as it is true for other walks of life: if you put your focus on areas of struggle, your strengths will suffer as you bring the weaknesses up to par.
If you instead focus your time and energy into further developing and building on your areas of strength, they quickly blossom into note-worthy expertise.
Figure out what you love and what you are good at. Then focus your energy on improving these traits even though you already perceive them as your strengths. It will be more enjoyable as well as professionally effective.
There is something to be said for the "jack of all trades, master of none." But in this day and age there is more to be said for doing something better than anyone else in the world.
If you instead focus your time and energy into further developing and building on your areas of strength, they quickly blossom into note-worthy expertise.
Figure out what you love and what you are good at. Then focus your energy on improving these traits even though you already perceive them as your strengths. It will be more enjoyable as well as professionally effective.
There is something to be said for the "jack of all trades, master of none." But in this day and age there is more to be said for doing something better than anyone else in the world.
23 December 2009
The Wall Between You and Your Audience
When was the last time you sang directly to your audience, not through a microphone and a set of speakers?
Every piece of equipment that separates your actual voice and instrument from the audience's ears is a wall between you and them. You can tear down these walls by performing to smaller audiences and in quieter venues.
Don't overlook the intimacy you can create by connecting directly with your audience. Don't resort to using a PA just because it is standard practice.
You will be surprised by the results.
Every piece of equipment that separates your actual voice and instrument from the audience's ears is a wall between you and them. You can tear down these walls by performing to smaller audiences and in quieter venues.
Don't overlook the intimacy you can create by connecting directly with your audience. Don't resort to using a PA just because it is standard practice.
You will be surprised by the results.
22 December 2009
The Music, the Money, the Hang
The holy trinity of the performing musician.
For those who make their living playing music, especially those who are hired by others to play, there are three variables to take into account with each gig offer. Two of the three must be present to warrant gig acceptance.
The Music - not just any music. Only exciting, interesting, new, swingin', foot-stompin', mind-bending music qualifies in this category. If it is recycled, boring or amateur, this column gets a zero.
The Money - Some gigs pay, some don't. Money is the difference between being a full-time musician and working at a bookstore. No one likes to take money into account, least of all musicians who love what they do, but landladies rarely have a sense of humor.
The Hang - good people having a good time. If there will be other talented musicians present; good booze readily available; an abundance of cute girls (or boys) in the audience; one guy who tells the craziest stories... then the gig qualifies as a Good Hang.
Two of the three (the Music, the Money, the Hang) have to be present for a musician to accept the gig. If only one is present or, God forbid, none, it will be tough to find decent musicians willing to spend their time and talent.
For those who make their living playing music, especially those who are hired by others to play, there are three variables to take into account with each gig offer. Two of the three must be present to warrant gig acceptance.
The Music - not just any music. Only exciting, interesting, new, swingin', foot-stompin', mind-bending music qualifies in this category. If it is recycled, boring or amateur, this column gets a zero.
The Money - Some gigs pay, some don't. Money is the difference between being a full-time musician and working at a bookstore. No one likes to take money into account, least of all musicians who love what they do, but landladies rarely have a sense of humor.
The Hang - good people having a good time. If there will be other talented musicians present; good booze readily available; an abundance of cute girls (or boys) in the audience; one guy who tells the craziest stories... then the gig qualifies as a Good Hang.
Two of the three (the Music, the Money, the Hang) have to be present for a musician to accept the gig. If only one is present or, God forbid, none, it will be tough to find decent musicians willing to spend their time and talent.
21 December 2009
The "P" Word - demystifying the music producer
Musicians and non-musicians alike are often unclear about what a music producer does. The producer has two main functions: to provide an outside perspective and to offer studio experience and wisdom.
The most important role of a music producer is to provide an outside perspective. Lots of artists will ask their mom or their girlfriend to get a fresh opinion. The problem with this is that their mom doesn't know a thing about music.
The producer offers an educated, experienced view of the music. He brings intelligence and musical knowledge to the project while also being able to offer an objective outside opinion.
The second most important attribute of the music producer is his fluidity in the recording studio. While even the most prolific artist makes 20 records in his career, the producer makes hundreds or thousands. This extra experience in the studio allows for an effortless translation of music to recording.
The producer will know the equipment, processes and personnel of recording much better than the artist. He is basically the translator between the artist/music and the studio/recording.
The most important role of a music producer is to provide an outside perspective. Lots of artists will ask their mom or their girlfriend to get a fresh opinion. The problem with this is that their mom doesn't know a thing about music.
The producer offers an educated, experienced view of the music. He brings intelligence and musical knowledge to the project while also being able to offer an objective outside opinion.
The second most important attribute of the music producer is his fluidity in the recording studio. While even the most prolific artist makes 20 records in his career, the producer makes hundreds or thousands. This extra experience in the studio allows for an effortless translation of music to recording.
The producer will know the equipment, processes and personnel of recording much better than the artist. He is basically the translator between the artist/music and the studio/recording.
19 December 2009
Use Your Resolution
We have all been overlooked and insulted, but nothing robs us of self-confidence like failing to achieve a goal we set for ourselves. We set ourselves up for short and long-term failure when we make New Year's Resolutions that we are tepid about.
When we make a lukewarm resolution, we inevitably lose interest in weeks or months. We have all made that resolution to exercise more or eat healthier that falls by the wayside at first opportunity.
Though we may not know it, we are assuring ourselves that we are powerless. Every time we set a goal and fail, especially when we fail out of apathy, it removes us from control in our own lives.
Set small goals. Set goals that you care enough about to see through. Then accomplish them. It will have the opposite effect - you will become empowered little by little. And you will realize that you are your own master and you have the power to change your own life.
When we make a lukewarm resolution, we inevitably lose interest in weeks or months. We have all made that resolution to exercise more or eat healthier that falls by the wayside at first opportunity.
Though we may not know it, we are assuring ourselves that we are powerless. Every time we set a goal and fail, especially when we fail out of apathy, it removes us from control in our own lives.
Set small goals. Set goals that you care enough about to see through. Then accomplish them. It will have the opposite effect - you will become empowered little by little. And you will realize that you are your own master and you have the power to change your own life.
18 December 2009
Why I Miss the Big Record Labels
It is not news that the internet and MySpace have upended the distribution channels of the music world. More music than we could ever wish to hear is available for free.
The big problem with MySpace is that, of all the music readily available, 99% of it is crap. Sure, there is that 1% that is brilliant and groundbreaking and creative, and if it weren't for MySpace no one would ever hear them. But the large majority is crap and vanity.
There is still great music out there, but I have to work a lot harder to find it. I am overwhelmed with requests (actual and virtual) to listen to the latest "undefinable" band.
Before the internet, there was a fairly reliable process of finding noteworthy music and recording it. The process involved seasoned musicians, producers and executives. The labels acted as our filter, doing most of the weeding work for us.
Now any 14 year old with a $60 guitar and a computer can put his music in my way. To be honest, I don't want to hear it. Sure, you may be a prodigy, but come back in 5-10 years when you have dedicated yourself and honed your craft.
In this day and age of anything goes (on the internet), we should be more demanding of the genius of our artists.
Also disturbing is the way that these changes have affected the Label process. But that is a discussion for another day.
The big problem with MySpace is that, of all the music readily available, 99% of it is crap. Sure, there is that 1% that is brilliant and groundbreaking and creative, and if it weren't for MySpace no one would ever hear them. But the large majority is crap and vanity.
There is still great music out there, but I have to work a lot harder to find it. I am overwhelmed with requests (actual and virtual) to listen to the latest "undefinable" band.
Before the internet, there was a fairly reliable process of finding noteworthy music and recording it. The process involved seasoned musicians, producers and executives. The labels acted as our filter, doing most of the weeding work for us.
Now any 14 year old with a $60 guitar and a computer can put his music in my way. To be honest, I don't want to hear it. Sure, you may be a prodigy, but come back in 5-10 years when you have dedicated yourself and honed your craft.
In this day and age of anything goes (on the internet), we should be more demanding of the genius of our artists.
Also disturbing is the way that these changes have affected the Label process. But that is a discussion for another day.
17 December 2009
0 to 60 with Idiot's Guide
If business is a highway, there is a slow lane and a passing lane. In order to get in the passing lane and maintain a speed that leaves the competition in the dust, we need significant skill and expertise in our field - the kind of expertise that can only be achieved through experience.
(Think for a minute about who runs most companies. It is usually people in their 50s or 60s. They have been around the block and built a significant amount of experiential expertise. I am ignoring the young guns who occasionally come along and shake things up. They are the exception and not the rule.)
There is always the problem of how to even get on the road. Most jobs require knowledge and experience but there is no way to build either without the job. We need a way to obtain the functional knowledge necessary to play with the big boys. This is why our parents were so adamant about schooling - it provides functional knowledge so that we can get up enough speed to begin building our own experiences.
For a crash course in Functional Knowledge on just about any topic, I highly recommend the "Idiot's Guide" books or the "For Dummies" books. Never have I seen such a wealth of Functional Knowledge so well organized. It won't get you into the passing lane - you'll need your own experience for that. But it will get you from 0 - 60mph so that you can at least drive on the road.
(Think for a minute about who runs most companies. It is usually people in their 50s or 60s. They have been around the block and built a significant amount of experiential expertise. I am ignoring the young guns who occasionally come along and shake things up. They are the exception and not the rule.)
There is always the problem of how to even get on the road. Most jobs require knowledge and experience but there is no way to build either without the job. We need a way to obtain the functional knowledge necessary to play with the big boys. This is why our parents were so adamant about schooling - it provides functional knowledge so that we can get up enough speed to begin building our own experiences.
For a crash course in Functional Knowledge on just about any topic, I highly recommend the "Idiot's Guide" books or the "For Dummies" books. Never have I seen such a wealth of Functional Knowledge so well organized. It won't get you into the passing lane - you'll need your own experience for that. But it will get you from 0 - 60mph so that you can at least drive on the road.
16 December 2009
Product and Process
Most musicians I have met (myself included) do it because they love the process. Making music is reward in itself. But we can not overlook the fact that, as musicians, we create products. Our compositions and recordings (the remnants of the music-making process) are what the rest of the world sees when they see us.
Is it possible to focus on creating a good product and still appreciate the process? Or do we lose our joy when we begin to concentrate on making a successful product? Is there a happy medium?
I will not pretend to know the right answer to these questions. I suspect (and encourage) that the answer is different for everyone and every project.
No two projects are the same, and I have worked on some with a very strong 'product' focus and some with a 'process' focus.
Interestingly, I thoroughly enjoy the process of the product-oriented projects, though they usually include more stress including deadlines and 3rd party approvals. And the products created from the process-driven projects are always interesting and sometimes remarkable.
Is it possible to focus on creating a good product and still appreciate the process? Or do we lose our joy when we begin to concentrate on making a successful product? Is there a happy medium?
I will not pretend to know the right answer to these questions. I suspect (and encourage) that the answer is different for everyone and every project.
No two projects are the same, and I have worked on some with a very strong 'product' focus and some with a 'process' focus.
Interestingly, I thoroughly enjoy the process of the product-oriented projects, though they usually include more stress including deadlines and 3rd party approvals. And the products created from the process-driven projects are always interesting and sometimes remarkable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)