Part One
This is the first of ten career success tips, I plan to impart for any interested listeners. Whether you are trying to decide if a music career is for you, just starting your music career, or a seasoned music professional, I think one or two of these tips will be of interest to you. There are a lot of people providing access to joints that help to build your skills, and most do a great job. My goal here is not to try and compete with them. I will stay in my lane. From time to time, however, I might suggest and recommend others. I view these tips to be aimed at your mindset, and behaviors that will either make you or break you. So, whether you aspire to be a songwriter, an artist, a musician, and or producer, in my experience, these tips may apply:
Some Tips To Dip Into:
- You got to put in the time. (See details below)
- You can only do two or three things very well, so focus.
- Once you are focused, decide on what value you offer to others.
- Determine how you fit in.
- Determine how you can market what you offer.
- Develop a marketing strategy.
- Provide quality service or products.
- Follow up and communicate with your customers.
- Always try to anticipate what your customers, followers, or clients need.
- Keep trying, you can always make it better.
YOU GOT TO PUT IN THE TIME ( aka YGTPITT)
It is easy to say, “You got to put in the time,” to someone, but how you put in the time is different for each and every one of us. Hey, if you are a virtuoso, a genius, a natural, etc., more power to you. However, I would guess that each of these types of people will ascribe to and follow this tip most of the time. Everyone starts out with at least one major skillset. It could be that you play the piano, you are a helluva singer, you can cook up monster beats, or have a knack for songwriting. Anyone who has prospered doing any of these things, you better believe that they put in the time, in order to claim the fame.
While playing the piano may seem easy, there is a lifetime of learning offered in understanding things like learning music theory, practicing major and minor scales and their variations, finger drills, etc. And playing a piano in a band is no joke either. It may be fun, but just ask any drummer. Hauling around a drumset, or a piano and amplifier is hard, but will be self-fulfilling and rewarding for you. I wish I had a dollar for every second I have played in a band, some type of music ensemble, or went to music classes. Time well-spent and I loved and enjoyed every minute of it. Even today after having some success as a trombonist and singer, there is still very much to learn and I want to do. For example, I did not practice my trombone every day. I still wish I could have (but that is another story). Awhile ago, an opportunity came to replace a horn player in an established R&B Pop band, I was playing in another band, in the same genre. We played and toured regularly, so I sort of was practicing more than I would have. The point is, I put in the time and I was ready to take advantage of the opportunity. In my prime, I was recognized as a trombonist that could solo and play in the upper range of the sound spectrum, and could hold down a lead singer, and background vocalist role.
You see, now the analog music industry model has changed. We are now in a digital world requiring digital content delivery. So unless you are rich and can pay to get everything done for you, an aspiring singer, musician, songwriter, producer has to possess or know all or most of the skills required to record, mix, master, package, distribute, market, sell, and manage all of the intellectual property they create. Chances are that you will not be great at all of these skills, but don’t get discouraged, nobody is, no matter what they say. But put in the time on all of them if you can, and you can get up to the starting line and finish better or ahead of others trying to achieve the same goals. The requirements to succeed in the analog music industry, while somewhat similar to today, is very different in a lot of ways, and challenging when you are not prepared. Your level of expertise is compounded by the variety of digital audio workstations and their learning curves, the millions of opinions on what is or not a hit, a good mix, and a perfect master. There are many resources available online to provide assistance to you, however, I have found that putting what I learn into practice improves my skillset. View and learn from the videos, tutorials, and blogs, but put time into practicing and applying what you learn on your own tracks and music projects. The new ways of working, also means adapting to social distancing and social media. And don’t forget trying to have a web presence, a social media following, the nuances of digital content delivery, and getting addicted to gear acquisition syndrome (GAS), just to name a few.
What I have told you may sound forbidding, and challenging, but you can do all of this, if you don’t get discouraged within yourself, and by others. Also remember to step back from all of these tasks, take a big breath, and include some quality time for yourself. Resume working with a fresh mind and attitude. You will soon reap the rewards of all of your efforts…if you just don’t give up!!
So-o-o-o. Put in the time. The next Tip, I want you to digest is: 2. You can only do two or three things very well, so focus. Stay tuned, and I will tell something my mamma said……