Twenty-Five Concepts Towards Musical Success

Steve Raybine:

Blog #49:

Twenty-Five Concepts Towards Musical Success

The following suggestions will hopefully help to facilitate success in the music performance field:

1. Possess an aptitude (talent) for music, which requires development via study and application.

2. Employ "The Three D's"--DISCIPLINE: The ability to apply yourself and to develop your talent in a focused, consistent manner over time. DRIVE/DETERMINATION: The ability to energetically motivate yourself with unrelenting passion towards musical excellence. DESIRE: The commitment to being the best possible musician that you can possibly become.

3. Find an excellent private teacher(s) that will assist you in your musical studies.

3. Develop and apply a consistent practice regimen that will yield positive musical results over time. Practice with a metronome whenever possible.

4. Be versatile. Utilize and develop a variety of musical skills in order to create more musical opportunities for yourself. For instance, consider composing/arranging; music technology/recording engineer/music producer; music teaching (music education); music performance; conducting (instrumental & vocal); music historian; music theorist; music therapist; music administration; church musician; music retail; studio musician (very demanding and limited opportunities); musical tour manager; etc.

5. Perform with a variety of ensembles whenever you can. In addition to gaining valuable performance experience, invaluable musical lessons are often learned during rehearsals and performances with all ensembles.

6. Be courteous and friendly to your fellow musicians and directors/conductors. The music field is a people-oriented area and affirming/positive-oriented interpersonal relationships should be encouraged and maintained at all times. Remember: people like to work with those people they enjoy being around, so have a positive attitude. If you are difficult to work with, people will go out of their way to avoid dealing with you.

7. Show up on time (be early) for all rehearsals and performances. Show respect for the organization, your fellow musicians and for yourself by remembering this axiom.

8. Be prepared for rehearsals and performances. Practice your music prior to the next rehearsal once it has been handed out--don't wait for the rehearsal to do your practicing.

9. Own the appropriate mallets, sticks, etc. that you need in order to play your music. In general, borrowing equipment (unless provided by a school or other organization) is a non-productive precedent. Moreover, keep your instrument(s) in good working order. Larger, more expensive instruments generally need to be purchased over time. One other very important issue, make sure that you have reliable replacement cost instrument insurance for your musical equipment. This generally requires a separate insurance policy from a reputable insurance company that specializes in instrument insurance coverage.

10. Create and utilize an evaluation process to better help you to assess your musical progress. Tape and video recording your practices, rehearsals and performances is an illuminating experience, which will provide you with a means to critique your playing.

11. Develop your music listening skills. Music is a listening art form, which requires acute attention to all parameters of the musical experience at hand, so always keep your ears wide open when rehearsing and performing. In addition, listen to music on records, CD's, live performances and on video. There is much to be learned about music from all of these different experiences.

12. Practice sightreading on a consistent basis. The only way to become a skilled sightreader is to do it and to do it often. The more advanced you become, the more you will create new musical opportunities for yourself. With these new opportunities will come situations where you will need to rely (momentarily, at least) on your sightreading skills. So, don't procrastinate--work on sightreading as often as you can and do so on different instruments if relevant, which presents other challenges and problems.

13. Most importantly, learn to play music not only accurately, but MUSICALLY. This involves utilizing dynamics, various articulations, subtle nuances, shaping your phrases in a lyrical manner, etc. Remember to INTERPRET the music with thoughtful musical insight and intuition.

14. Play music in a rhythmically precise manner--don't be casual and/or sloppy about addressing the rhythmic parameter of whatever music you're playing.

15. Study music from other cultures and idioms in order to play it, teach it, or write it in an authentic manner (i.e. Latin music styles; Rock; Jazz; Funk/R&B; Hip Hop; Classical; etc.). There is a wealth of instructional videos on the market, which should help to augment your understanding of these various musical styles.

16. Join the American Federation of Musicians and keep current with your annual dues. In order to play professionally, most areas of the country and abroad demand that you are a member in good standing with at least one AFM (afm.org) local. The American Federation of Musicians protects you and your fellow musicians in all ways provided you work with an AFM "Union" contract. You can also get work referrals from the American Federation of Musicians; various insurance coverage for your gear; and health, dental and pension plans to name just a few things that are available to you. In reality, the AFM (Musician's Union) is a necessity, not a luxury for career longevity in music performance.

17. Wear the appropriate attire for whatever ensemble or venue is engaging your services. If you need a tuxedo in order to play in the local Symphony, then it is essential that you purchase your own tux. Alternatively, if you are a music teacher and need to wear a business suit at school, then you will need to buy a suit. This is fairly common-sense oriented information, but some people refuse to have those clothing items that are essential to their workplace environment.

18. Accept this very important premise: In order to earn a living in music, in whichever area(s) that best suits your interest(s) and talent(s), be mindful of the fact that music is a BUSINESS, as well as an art form. Those individuals that fail to deal with the business-related aspects of music (contracts; musicians' payrolls; taxes; phone calls and emails; mailings; xeroxing/copying; organizing rehearsals and various meetings; speaking with club owners, agents, producers, promoters, managers, etc.; paying your personal bills that may or may not be directly related to music; arranging for recording sessions; organizing a very hectic schedule, etc.) will have a very difficult time making a living in music. If you are determined to pursue a music career and can't handle the various business issues that will confront you, you will need to pay someone (an organized, reputable individual) to handle the business items for you. This will undoubtedly end up costing you a sizeable amount of money, but at least your music business financial obligations will be taken care of in a timely manner.

19a.) Communicate with people in a timely and friendly manner. Nothing frustrates people more than dealing with someone who can't/won' return phone calls or emails in a timely manner. Many individuals' careers fail to reach their potential because of poor (tardy) communication skills. Having a reputation for being difficult to communicate with can and will sabotage your career. This issue is directly related to treating music like a business--a business that is predicated upon communicating quickly and efficiently with others. When you procrastinate in this business, opportunities are lost, not made.

19b.) Networking is another essential component of communication within the music business. Networking is the process whereby you make, maintain, and develop contacts within the business. In most businesses, friends/associates help one another cultivate their respective business. In this regard, the music business is no different as opportunities are created between those individuals that routinely do business together and enjoy working together. Moreover, colleagues refer work to their friends. So, get "in the loop" and start developing your music business relationships and contacts.

20. Be consistent in your performing skills. Go the extra mile in order to always play your very best in all musical situations. Maintaining your hard-earned reputation as a consistent, professional-caliber performer should always be your goal.

21. Be considerate and generous to others. Things will occur during your career when you need to rely upon the kindness, understanding and considerateness of others (business and personal conflicts; illness; vacations; etc.). The only way to make sure that people "cut you some slack" when you need them to, is to show them considerateness when they ask for it--a reciprocal relationship is often in everyone's best interests.

22. Believe in yourself and in your abilities. It takes a great deal of "inner strength/intestinal fortitude" as they say in sports, in order to remain a vital force in the performing world over time. Remain level-headed/balanced as you weather the "ups and downs" inherent within the music performance world. The reality is, the performing world is not meant for everyone--you will have to make that decision for yourself as you contemplate a career as a performer or later as your career unfolds.

23. Your personal integrity should never be compromised. Who you are and what you stand for is how others often evaluate you. Living your life as a good person, personally and professionally, should be the so-called "bottom line" when making your decisions.

24. Be prepared to make a substantial monetary investment in your performing career. Financing various items such as: recordings (musician's fees; studio fees/producer fee/mixing and mastering fees; CD art work; CD printing fees; extensive publicity/promotion fees; etc.) will result in thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses to you. Although you will recoup some of your investment, much of it will be lost income, which was spent to promote yourself and your music. If you have a music group to help you finance recordings, this will lessen your capital investment. If you are extraordinarily lucky, a record company or independent investor will help you finance your project, but in the current climate of the recording business, this will be unlikely--be prepared to assume the financial burden yourself or with your partners.

25. Traveling may play a significant factor in your performing career. In the event you become somewhat popular, you will undoubtedly be asked to travel to various venues around the country. If you have the opportunity to travel, do so as it will enable you to increase your popularity, which will generate more money for you. Alternatively, if you have to finance travel expenses for yourself, much less for your band, the money will be substantial.

Copyright 2007 Steve Raybine

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