Three Things Every Musician Should Know

I know this sounds like a very basic topic (and it is) but there are some things that every musician should remind themselves of every now and then. In the hectic pace of many of our lives we tend to lose track of the things that are important to us. This article features some things all musicians should remind themselves throughout their lives.

Be True to Yourself

This is a very important topic no matter what field you’re in but especially when it comes to music. Many times you will be tempted to play a certain way that you think people might like. As a composer you might be tempted to write music that may be popular with a large audience. The truth is, no artist can really be creating anything of value if they are just imitating instead of creating.

It’s important to be honest in your expression and show people what you have burning inside you. Anything that’s less than sincere is very noticeable to an audience – even if they don’t know you. As tempting as it might be to impress people it’s not the sign of a true artist if you are compromising who you are and what you believe in.

Versatility

When it comes to being a musician there is nothing more marketable than having a wide range of capabilities and specialties. In school it’s incredibly difficult to double major in instruments and study two different styles of music – for example, studying both classical and jazz. While you shouldn’t stretch yourself too thin, it’s not a bad thing to experiment and play in different styles and periods of music that are outside your field of study. You might be a classical violinist but you might be able to find some work playing bluegrass! It’s OK to try something new and out of your comfort zone – you might be surprised.

This skill can extend far beyond actually performing music. For example, maybe you are talented and knowledgeable about recording technology and mixing. When it comes to this world, the more things you can do, the more opportunities there are. Having extra skillsets can really help foster a career and help you achieve your goals.

It’s Just Music… Nobody Gets Hurt

This is something that all performers have to deal with. While getting up in front of an audience – no matter what size – can feel scary and intimidating; nobody is going to die! You are not a brain surgeon or a pilot, you are there to bring enjoyment to people; it’s a harmless endeavor.

Things that might seem important to you might not even be noticed by the audience. In fact, most of the time your audience wouldn’t know the difference between a good performance and a bad one; they are there with the expectation of being entertained. If you ruin the entertainment factor by visibly displaying your displeasure, you are ruining the performance for everyone watching and listening. There is nothing worse than acting disappointed after a performance when you are greeted by someone from the audience. If they enjoyed it, let them!

It’s OK to give yourself a break. Not every performance will be perfect – we are only human. Sometimes a mistake can lead you into unchartered territory and you might learn something new.

Thanks again for joining me, Robert Estrin: Robert@LivingPianos.com