As a business professional and a musician I have pondered the similarities over the years if you relate music to a product, sales, or our efforts professionally. Here is what I discovered:
~ You have to start somewhere – JAM, even if it is terrible.
~ Be you – your sound is what makes you unique and may be the difference
~ Some will like you some will not – focus on your fans
~ Push yourself, but realize you have your style and limits and growth requires time and commitment.
~ Less can be best
~ A hit is based on people relating and understanding
~ A song may sound simple, but sometimes more complex than what you hear. Mastery is making complex sound simple.
~ Sometimes a great song comes unexpectedly – listen for this and run with it. An idea in your sleep, wake up and start writing. A thought while driving, pull over and write!
~ Start writing – a blank sheet of music does nothing. You can develop an idea.
~ If the song stinks, it doesn’t matter how good the musicians are
~ Don’t give up on a great song – some may take a long time to develop. On the other hand, if after countless hours it still does not feel right, put it aside.
~ Collaboration can lead to something you never imagined
~ Try new ideas, be open minded, listen to all genres.
~ Music evolves, but is influenced by past players and innovators. There is wisdom in respecting and learning from those with experience and who have gone before us.
~ Most of the chord combinations have been played, what can you do to be different?
~ Respect your competitors – you may be playing with them one day – learn from them.
~ Timing is critical
~ Recognize contributions – without a good drummer, the rest may not matter. Thanks for keeping the beat!
~ Let others grow and grow with them – drummers have converted to great front men, BUT have to be given the opportunity. See the talent, don’t be jealous.
~ Like most things, practice is vital, there are no short cuts
~ Not all about a great voice – soul, uniqueness, delivery, character are all factors.
~ Play together – If you are not locked in unison, the performance will be subpar.
~ Your contribution should compliment the whole. Individuals may be amazing but if they cannot play with others, their skills may be irrelevant.
~ Nervous energy channelled can boost your performance rather than hinder. Be confident that your groove will come!
~ If your audience is small, but they listened and liked, then the show was a success and something to build upon
~ A Symphony is an amazing feat of bringing people together. However, one out of tune instrument can ruin it.
~ You have to put all differences aside when on stage
~ If people paid, give them your all
~ The show must go on – game face no matter what
~ Mistakes happen – we are human – this is why some people like live music better than recordings. Everyone hits a bad note – don’t let it ruin the whole song
~ When you break a string you gotta keep on playing. Good luck and try to keep the other strings in tune. Of course your band mates can help by carrying the load when this happens.
~ Change in band mates is sometimes necessary to get where you’re going. This is painful and difficult but dragging it out helps no one. The change may be you, move on if so!
~ Engage your audience – make it about them, not you – no audience is like the tree falling in the woods with no one around.
~ A band’s longevity hinges on their ability to evolve with the times.
~ Sticking it out – The over night success story is an anomaly, usually years of perseverance was endured. Those that stay together may just be the ones that still play together!
~ Try to stay in tune!!!
~ Louder is not better…play with finesse and dynamics
~ And of course, always good to end on a positive note….ha, ha, ha!