Just a word to would be performers.
If you are a performer and have studied hard in, let's say, trumpet and excel at performance, let me be clear... In today's world you need and must continue to study and expand your knowledge.
We can no longer afford to be just a great artist. We must continue our education and surround ourselves with mentors that can help us to increase our foundation.
I studied voice for years. I have taught voice and choirs. But I have been a complete hack at piano. To understand the concepts of how things are pieced together is one thing, but if you truly want to become great in the field of music, you must continue your education. Learn another instrument. Get some decent theory under your belt.
Understanding the language of music is invaluable. I finally get that I have to be more than just a singer. More than just a hack keyboardist. More than just a pop, shorthand songwriter. I really need to understand music in it's entirety.
This is my goal. My mission. For how can I write anything of value if it doesn't communicate what I have in my head to everyone else - including other musicians?
I'll give you an example. Several years ago, I was asked to perform at a local charity event. I'm a much better performer when I don't have to worry about playing the keys and singing at the same time, so I asked a keyboard player to do that part for me. There was also a bassist, guitarist and drummer. I helped them out by providing a recording of my songs to go along with my cheat sheets or musicians charts. These are just Word documents with chord symbols over the lyrics.
Not only did they not listen to the recordings, but when time came for the one and only rehearsal, it was horrible. The performance was not much better. The keyboardist had fallen ill with a respiratory sickness, but continued to play. They were out of sync and all over the board with the pieces. As soon as I had finished performing, I was so angry that I stormed off, got in my car and cursed all the way home.
But when I got there, I realized that I had no one to blame but myself. Even though I had provided the music to the musicians a month in advance, I had expectations that far exceeded reality. I should have written out each part or played the keys myself. This mistake was of my own design.
Please, please, musicians hear me. Do your very best in everything you do and when in doubt, continue your education. It's worth your time and effort. The world deserves to hear you at your best.
Keep playing!
