5 tips for musicians
2008-04-11
A guy writing a book asked me for 5 tips for musicians, today. Here are the 5 I gave off the top of my head:
- Turn off your computer. Improve that unfinished song, without distractions. We're drowning in a world of mouse-clickers. Stand apart from the pack by doing the focused work of improving your skills. The key that unlocks the door to success is not online, it's in you.
- Whatever excites you, go do it. Whatever scares you, go do it. Whatever drains you or bores you, stop doing it immediately! Find someone else who loves it, instead.
- Meet 3 new people each week who might help you. “Do It Yourself” doesn't mean do it ALL yourself. You need help. There are people who love booking gigs, love promoting, love building websites. Put a few hours a week into finding them. Let them help you. Email strangers, and suggest a phone call or lunch. Almost everyone says yes.
- Keep in touch with people. The best connections always happen right after a recent contact. It's always the person you talked to yesterday who will get you a gig or introduce you to a key contact, because you're at the forefront of their mind. Just put aside 30 minutes every few days to call people who matter to you, and say hello. Send them something you think they'd like, whether a link, an article, a trinket, or a pizza.
- Bring out your weird side. What's great about the long tail is that there can be infinite niches. Be (and trumpet yourself as) the best at your tiny sharply-defined niche. Better to be the world's leading songwriter of songs about seaweed, than yet-another normal-but-good rock band or folksinger.
Dear Derek;
coincidences happen. But sometimes it's scary: Here is what I posted in yesterday. It's nr. 1 of your tips.
Peter
Sorry for the funny link above, it should read " my blog", but the comment window broke the (correct) html.
Thanks for this.
Lot's of good tips here Derek. Thanks.
........But for me; Tip # 1 is definitely "The one".
I came to realize this a few years ago and have been shouting it out ever since.
There are so many things in this world that, as an indie artist, I can't control, but this is one thing that I can.
Bob Lefsetz is always saying "Get good". And he's right (And so are you).
But I like to call it "Get good......OK now get better......OK, now you need to get even better".
I see so many boring mediocre indie artists who are not entertaining, who only half ass play their instruments while they sing there boring mediocre songs, and who then mumble incoherently between their songs......and then they wonder why the public refers to them as "unsigned".
The goal should be, to try and be so freaking good that people can't ignore you. The goal should be, to be so good that after you are done playing, Joe average has to ask you "Why aren't you signed to a label"? Or "Why aren't you on American Idol"? (This will give you an opportunity to educate them on the current state of the industry LOL).
Speaking of American Idol: Sometimes I really think the entire indie community needs is its own version of Simon Cowell. Someone who will knock indie artists out of their complacency by being brutally honest.
I preach the "Get good" philosophy because it has worked for me; it has made more difference than anything I have ever tried. And I want to see all my fellow indie artists get better too.
OK enough ranting from me, time to work on those new songs.
excellent reading derek--i think i am focused as you say-Meeting people -making contacts---i have a feature in the syracuse post standard on my internet collaborations--big story---im living in new york i recently recorded my lead guitar work on 3 tracks of JC CARROLL NEW ENGLISH BLUES ALBUM--the music writer from syracuse is so intriqued by this---it will be out may 15th---read this link---http://www.myprgenie.com/item/1124/
I have to agree with point #2. I get bored with the same old thing. My computer is holding me hostage.
I have however, recently embarked on a project with some mates from 2 different states.
We are making music in sort of chain letter fashion.
For example: I lay down a drum part from beggining to end with an imaginery song played out in my head.
Then I email it to the next guy in the circle. He then adds a bass line of his own liking. Guy number three adds guitar which gives the song more direction. Then back to guy number one who adds vocals/lyrics. And so on.
To ensure quality a coordinator is elected for each song. He determines what the elements will be and who adds them.
As tenuous as it may sound it actually works.
We have produced a bunch of songs this way and are very pleased with the results so far.
We've even created an imaginery band. Given them fake bios. It's a lot of fun. I recommend it to everyone who is getting bored with their own music.
Here's the link: http://amiestreet.com/artist/22579
Jason
Derek,
Interesting stuff. In my thirties I decided I wanted to be a screenwriter and stop doing rock 'n' roll record dates, bar mitzvahs, and Broadway shows. So I moved to the coast, sold my first script within five months (while keeping on playing music) and have had a wonderful writing career (as Gordon Mitchell) ever since. I'm all for mid-life career improvement!
Whitey Mitchell
PS: Ask your friend Jac Holzman if he's the same guy who started the avant garde record company Elektra, which I recorded for in the late fifties.
Hi Derek,
I received a grant for studying jazz overseas, and have been scared all year to actually do it. I had to keep asking myself, does this fear mean that I should do something else, or does it mean I should face the fear? So finally, after stewing for 9 months, I went to the computer yesterday, pushed a fews buttons and ordered my plane ticket!! I also have been trying to learn French in my car, and have about 8 words down so far!
Regarding your boogie-woogie study, I've got a great track for you to listen to: "A Really Mean Boogie-Woogie" on my "Mood Swing" CD at http://cdbaby.com/cd/archibald5
(I was going to say, let me know what you think, but I'll just say, enjoy, and please send me a positive comment!!)
Lots of Love,
-Becky
Just one problem: I'm in electronica, pretty much (I'm reasonably good at #5), so switching off the computer (#1) is deeply, deeply counterproductive...
Derek,
I guess I'm in the minority of people who liked what used to be known as "elevator music," but what I refer to as easy listening. Since there haven't been radio stations that play that genre any more, I decided to create my own. People have told me that it's beautiful, that the world should hear it, but I've been in my own way, because I've spent so much time comparing myself to others and found myself lacking. Everything I have read here makes me realize that if a few people have said these things, there must be more who feel the same way. Although I am totally blind, I am not a Diane Schurr (spelling?) but I definitely know that I have my own style. (And it's not jazz, or classical, or rock, or R&B but it's mine, and that's what I need to remember, start putting one foot in front of the other, acting as if I believe what all these people have said.
Sorry for the ramble; I don't know how clear I've been, but I really appreciate your notifying me about these articles.
Debbie
Great points Derek and well taken. Thanks for always thinking and inspiring.
~Jim
Hi Derek, tip #1 of course should be the best. I say "should", not "is", because without connections no one will pay attention to a talented musician, without the help of a good promoter or manager or friend.
in order to find connections, I am convinced that I need to be good in relationships, in talking, be friendly, patient... But I am just a musician, the kind of musician that is not good at all in that, so...what can I do? Those people, promoters, record labels, they don't care if you're good music maker, you got to be "pimp" with them. At least this is what I see, after 40 years in music.
CtraK:
The "switching off your computer" has to do with spending time online or playing games, etc. rather that using your computer creatively. You should be using your computer making tracks and not browsing eBay, for instance. Try to dual-boot your sytem so that you got Internet/Games on one partition, and your music apps (DAW, plugins, audio editor, etc) on the other. Try to use the latter partition more than the former.
Believe me, I struggle with this. My big online vice (okay, aside from, uh you-know-what) is online message forums. I spend my day habitually clicking on the bookmark toolbar icons for places like Harmony Central, etc. It's good to participate in the forums when you have, say a legitimate question or issue but then if you just spend your time posting about music, rather than making it, it's non-productive.
Amen Derek!!!
I agree wholeheartedly with all of your tips....especially the one about NOT doing what you DON'T like to do. I LOVE to create music ON my piano, NOT on a computer! So I don't. Referring to #5 on the list, I also have stopped using the genre' R&B as an additional description of my group LadyFingers, because the term is interpreted as a "dance band". What we do is Jazz.......smooth, original, standard, neo, fusion. Now if we happen to maybe play an R&B number, so be it, but our fans know what we're about.
Derek,
I loved reading everyone's comments and thanks for the link!!!
First off, I have seen scores of musicians who strive for perfection in their music to the point that it never actually makes it to the mastering room because they are never satisfied.... what is the point of recording your music if you can't say at some point ..."this is good enough" ?
As for getting away from your computer I think the operating system's creators are doing a bang up job of making computers useless for recording, storing, or even listening to music. In 1998 I had more than half my music recorded onto my computer, I was able to switch file types easily, title songs, display album covers,upload to my site, press out labels... soon as i upgraded my OS my ability to use my comp in the studio vanished.
I don't consider myself a super star when it comes to playing my music but I do pride in myself it's originality, I am not an attractive young upstart by any measure and I do not possess "golden tones" in my voice, I sing a strong harmony part and play my guitar viciously and have always had people ask me why I have not already "made it" in the music industry.Even at the age of 51 I still have a stage worthy band ready to play original songs with plenty of energy to entertain a crowd. I own and am the engineer of a professional recording studio, I am very strict when it comes to what is played in it.... ALL Original Music Only.
My motto is ..... "If it sounds good , go with it "
I also am an inventor and started another manufacturing business to make my latest creation.... Turbo Tone™ .... I intend to change the way you, and those who listen to you play, hear you.
....Hawk
Hi, Dereck:
I enjoy reading your articles. In fact, I believe that you're having wonderful times in your life. It also reflects what I would like to do- Have a backbag only, free a little bit from phone calls..... Be able to focus on what I want to do at the moment while enjoy some flexible times. Nature offer us all the great possibilities.we should all enjoy it.
Gong-Qian Yang
Great advice Derek. As I sit here in my underwear composing the next great niche exploding musical masterpiece, el Diablo always seems to poke his head out an distract me. It's nice to read your aricles, and as always, cdbaby is great. Whoops gotta go, my parrot is at the door, he's always late for dinner.
Hey Derek, great point on #5 you should be what you are and stop trying to copy the reast of the world it will be hard road but you will win in the end!!! my band is realy different we are a punk /rock /other band in Idaho but we have changed the music sean here already we have been together for 10 years on and off but been hard at it the last 2 years we got to open for quite riot 2006' be for kevien died and have been slowly buliding the punk seen here now the younger bands are looking up to us wereing our t-shirts knowing there is more to punk then thrash and emo yuck! so we now have many people to help us in our vision to change the face of music it's self !!we have an album coming soon and we will release it on cdbaby this year you will hoplfuly here about us soon ,we want to break out of this box music is in!! i book bands form all over the us here in cd'a idaho@the grail, so now i can play anywhere i want and know the contact im talking to so less worrys!!! i mean anywhere seattle /LA/new york/etc. but just like you said we should do the scarry jump soon and just tour but we need the backing of a great album/$$to do that. hoplfuly soon!!!
zac
of
lithium id
"punk rock the way you like it"
Finding people to help me has become invaluable. In the past I have been a DIY-er to the point of exhausting my resources and then being no good to anyone. I have found many people who are glad to help just because they get joy from helping: my 16 year old will help me load gear and enjoys developing tech skills such as soldering or changing strings and tuning; my wife loves to print songlists and directions. It is worth 10% to pay a booking manager to promote and book gigs. (She makes 15% for higher paying gigs). "Many hands make light work."
Very true...
Touch the sky and spread love
If I have to tell you tips 1 & 2 you're brain dead and not an artist. Go home.
Tips 3 & 4 are absolute pearls of wisdom.
Tip #5 I once heard a wise ex music biz employer of mine say to a client (heavy proper English accent) "How am I supposed to know what you want when you don't know what you want?" Know who you are and how you want to be represented to the public. I like artists that know how to dress themselves, so to speak. That's why I can't watch "American Idol."
I swear this is the last of your posts I'm going to comment on. I have never done this before (but then it's your fault for automatically filling in that reply form and making it so easy!) but I've just replied to a handful of your articles in one sitting! They're addictive.
I'm going to go practice!
Five very worthwhile tips Derek!
I use a few but really need to work on doing all of them.
I am writing these down! And keeping them in my pocket. It's easy to say I am going to go out and meet 3 people and do what I fear, but once I leave my bedroom into the world, my inner mouse can take control. But I'm not a naturally outgoing person. And my niche hasn't quite been discovered, but I am working on it.
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good luck