Tips for Aspiring Musicians
1) You Are a Professional. When asked what you do for a living, immediately label yourself as a professional and identify what you do as “work.” I will usually say something along the lines of “I am a professional flutist and I work in professional orchestras for a living, as well as doing some teaching and freelance work.” This typically wards off the always obnoxious “what is your day job” question and implies to the listener that your work is “a real job.” You can then go into more detail about the kinds of work you do as the conversation continues. Avoid using the words “play” or “perform” such as as “I play flute” or “I perform at weddings” until later in the conversation.
2) Mindset Matters Most. We each have the unique privilege to choose our identities. Use this knowledge to your advantage to help focus your motivation. We need not be limited by what we were told about ourselves as young children, or what society or popular culture tells us we should think of ourselves. If you have control of your mindset, you will be in a position to take advantage of the situations and opportunities that luck provides.
3) Systems Are Better Than Goals. Although goals are important and can keep you moving in the right direction, it is the systems you put in place in support of your goals, such as a practice plan or a budget, that will actually get you there (or not get you there, if the system is not functional). Take the time to ensure you have systems in place that work for you and are scaled correctly to your goals.
4) The Arts as Learning Tools. Learn from the other creative arts. Watch or attend masterclasses by accomplished professionals from other artistic fields to study how they master their crafts, such as acting, dance, architecture, creative writing, and the visual arts. You will find there are many parallels to music that can help you on your musical journey.
5) To Sustain Yourself, Seek Joy. Becoming a strong performing artist and staying that way should be your primary focus, but don’t let it become so consuming that you don’t nurture other equally necessary needs, interests, and abilities. What you learn from those pursuits will enrich your music making and give added life, vibrancy and personality to your performances.
6) Music is Magic. We all remember moments when we've found a piece of music to be transformative and spiritually uplifting. When you perform, keep in mind that someone in the audience thinks what you are doing is the best thing in the world in that moment and feels transformed. Music truly is a form of magic. Let their joy be yours as well - sometimes this is just what you need uplift your resilience and emotional fulfillment.
2) Mindset Matters Most. We each have the unique privilege to choose our identities. Use this knowledge to your advantage to help focus your motivation. We need not be limited by what we were told about ourselves as young children, or what society or popular culture tells us we should think of ourselves. If you have control of your mindset, you will be in a position to take advantage of the situations and opportunities that luck provides.
3) Systems Are Better Than Goals. Although goals are important and can keep you moving in the right direction, it is the systems you put in place in support of your goals, such as a practice plan or a budget, that will actually get you there (or not get you there, if the system is not functional). Take the time to ensure you have systems in place that work for you and are scaled correctly to your goals.
4) The Arts as Learning Tools. Learn from the other creative arts. Watch or attend masterclasses by accomplished professionals from other artistic fields to study how they master their crafts, such as acting, dance, architecture, creative writing, and the visual arts. You will find there are many parallels to music that can help you on your musical journey.
5) To Sustain Yourself, Seek Joy. Becoming a strong performing artist and staying that way should be your primary focus, but don’t let it become so consuming that you don’t nurture other equally necessary needs, interests, and abilities. What you learn from those pursuits will enrich your music making and give added life, vibrancy and personality to your performances.
6) Music is Magic. We all remember moments when we've found a piece of music to be transformative and spiritually uplifting. When you perform, keep in mind that someone in the audience thinks what you are doing is the best thing in the world in that moment and feels transformed. Music truly is a form of magic. Let their joy be yours as well - sometimes this is just what you need uplift your resilience and emotional fulfillment.
