MUSIC LIFE IS ABOUT DOING…

Doing by making a mark on the page. Trying. Making choices. So often creativity is stifled by the fear of ruining a blank page. What if I mess up, what if it looks bad? I think at an even deeper level, it’s the fear of drying up the well. I’ve done this one creative thing before that I was proud of… but what if there’s nothing else down there? What if that was it?

The fear of trying is the fear of being found empty. It’s always a risk to send the bucket back down in the well. Facing the fear is the first step towards mastery of your craft. I think we as musicians and artists often don’t practice, not because a lack of interest, but because we’re afraid of being disappointed. We want the magnificent marble sculpture that we see in our mind, but we’re afraid to start chipping away at the stone.

MUSIC LIFE IS ABOUT JOURNEY…

Journey by following the winding road around the next bend, and trying all the doors along the way.

If your desire is to explore the world, see deeper into the humanity of things, and feel true love, passion, thrill, illumination and profound compassion, then learn music. Not just a song or two to play so that you can impress your friends at a party. I mean learn to speak the language of music.

Every culture around the globe has their own unique expression. Music is how we understand each other when words don’t suffice and the depths of that understanding are expansive and abounding. Not only that, but with music everyone is invited to dive into the deep end of the pool. A doggy paddle will get you started, but the invitation to experience the depths below you will be undeniable once you’ve jumped in.

MUSIC LIFE IS ABOUT EXPRESSION…

Express to find the simplest way to tell the truth. It’s your birthright.

If you have breath in your lungs, then you have something inside of you to express. Being a musician is not a club for the elite and as long as you’ve got a snap in your fingers, a tap in your foot, or a song in your guts… you’re in.

Many of us believed lies about ourselves that started in our youth. Things like, “you can’t carry a tune,” or, “you’ve got no rhythm.” I’m here to tell you those statements are false. If you can speak, you can sing. If you can walk, you can drum. Your expression is waiting for you around every corner. All that is required is bravery.

A little courage goes a long way with music and the first person you should be brave with is yourself. Sing in the shower. Play that beat on the steering wheel. Write down that phrase, those lyrics that have been running around in your head. Those are gifts being given to you moment by moment… just waiting for you to be brave enough to take hold of them.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

MUSIC LIFE IS YOUR STORY…

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your sight can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.