The most important thing in music is honesty. Honesty will create amazing songs and amazing musicians alike. Amazing songs because people love raw emotional connection! Amazing musicians because a healthy honest critique of your music can only make you grow stronger!
I'm so sick and tired of half truths and white lies dictating the social media landscape. Does this sound familiar? "How to master guitar in 6 months!" "One pattern to rule them all!" "Guitar playing made easy!"
If you're just getting started on piano or guitar, or you're learning to sing, it can be difficult! Don't lie to yourself! It can be one of the most difficult things in the world! When I first started at the ripe age of 6, I thought I would never master the piano. I was taking lessons and it was still soooo difficult. So I started lying to myself. My inner voice began to screech "You'll never be able to do it." "Give up now." "You'll never be as good as so and so."
But those too were lies. Because young grasshoppers, we can learn. We can improve. It may not always happen on our schedule, but to those who continue to be honest with themselves, will always continue to improve. Life and music don't revolve around where we are, but instead where we are going.
I have struggled in the past with my ego, as I know many of my students have. So I offer myself upon the alter of judgement. I've had the LUDICROUS thought that I have played all there is to play, been there...done that. Utter nonsense. It's laughable! There is so much talent and beauty in this world it can make our head spin. So many unique styles and combinations and themes. A true master knows he or she must always be vigilant, always guarding against what's coming. Always pushing. Always learning.
NOW SOME TRUTH.
If you're just beginning down the path of music for the first time?
Good. You haven't yet acquired any bad habits.
You've been gigging hard but you're not a professional musician yet?
Good. You are building your character to introduce to the world.
You've been playing half-heartedly for years now and you know you aren't improving?
Good. You know you need to change or you'll continue to stagnate.
You created a song that you know can be better?
Good. Let it lead you down a path of inspiration to write the greatest song of ALL TIME.
(The crowd goes wild...ahhhh...ahhhhhhh).
True honesty neutralizes ego. To quote the late great Eddie Van Halen, who passed away yesterday at the age of 65, "Rock stars come and go. Musicians play until they die."
Well said, and R.I.P. We're not dead yet friends. Get up. Dust off. Get to it. I have faith in you. Nick
The Coach
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