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How To Succeed In The Music Business. Part 1
Author : David Wright
So you wanna be a star?
Part 1
So, youve made the decision! Youve finished recording your album and its the best - it deserves to be heard by the world and youre deserving of the adulation afforded to the creation of such a masterpiece! Of course, you know in your own mind that it wont be easy to become a star. After all, everyone says that the music business is difficult. But hey, youve got what it takes, youve got talent, and this really is a great album - all your friends and family agree - so what can possibly stop you? What indeed...?
Few people outside of the Music Business have any idea just how difficult it is to survive, let alone succeed, in the ever-changing and unforgiving world of entertainment. Being a musician is much, much more than simply writing, recording and performing.
And few people have any idea of what is involved in the recording of a good sounding CD, of the time and effort involved to get that polished sound that every artist who ever produced a demo aspires to create.
Dont be fooled by inane rubbish like Pop Idol or X-factor. Not only do these sort of programs give a totally false impression of the reality of the music industry, but they totally undermine the integrity of it! And just for the record, I dont dispute the obvious talent of some of the participants, but the ends do not justify the means! It is indicative of just how low we have sunk as a society that we are happy to watch and laugh at hopefuls who clearly have no talent at all, make embarrassing fools of themselves because they really think they do have the talent.
Then, when the competition proper really gets going, we can watch the music business do what it does best, that is, chew up and spit out varying degrees of talent live on our screens in the name of TV entertainment!
The programs are designed to maximize TV ratings and to manufacture a Pop Star wholl be long forgotten in 10 years time. Of course, theyll say that isnt so, but then, they would, wouldnt they!?
We live in an Instant Fame society. Celebs and their lifestyles are thrust in our faces 24/7 and far too many people, particularly but not exclusively the young, think fame can be achieved. They are fed the belief that its possible to give up the day job and become a star. In reality, its virtually impossible. For a greater insight into the realities of the Pop world, check out the Simon Cowel book I dont mean to be rude.
Being a musician, an artist, is a vocation. Its a way of life in which everything and everyone else, absolutely everything and everyone else, take second place. Musicians are selfish - they have to be by definition, and I know because I am one.
Its about The Journey (much like life) - the journey of self discovery that starts when you realize that being a musician is what you want to do, continues and evolves as you make music and friends along the road, experiencing the highs and the lows and culminates in the realization that the journey doesnt have an end because youre always seeking to do something new, always forging new ideas - seeking to write The perfect song or The perfect album. But a word of warning, if youre fortunate enough to find success, the pressures and the demands will become greater, theyll not get less!
You cant do it on a part time basis and expect to succeed beyond a bit of fun at amateur level (not that theres anything at all wrong with that). So, if you really want to succeed, the very thing that you have to accept is... that you probably wont! And that isnt as crazy as it sounds!
You see, the most important thing in music is simply that you love doing it. Its a way of life thats in your blood, in your soul, and it takes precedence over everything else. And as mentioned earlier, its about the journey.
Now, I can hear you saying things like; Thats all right for you to say, youre in the music business.
Or maybe youre thinking; Well I have all these attributes, but how do I pay the bills and still make my way as a musician?
Yes, I am fortunate enough to be involved in music, enjoying moderate success and recognition in a specific music genre. But what I have learned is, that success is relative.
My life and everything in my life revolves around music. But over the years, and particularly in the early days, my private life and finances paid a very heavy price.
Being involved in music is about being in it for the long haul, not the short term - you dont even consider the short term. Ask most musicians and theyll tell you the process is a painful one. When I hear young musicians say theyve given up everything to be in music, my reply is, that they have no idea what everything is!
Being a musician requires many things, many attributes. Selfishness weve already mentioned. Stubbornness is a key factor to - you just have to keep going, then theres dedication, passion and belief. An acceptance that there will be a lot of hard times. You must be prepared to give everything and more, and even then, even with all those things, if youre not in the right place at the right time, success can still pass you by.
And thru all this, you keep smiling. You dont question why youre doing what youre doing or the cost of it in broken relationships and heavy debt. You just keep going because music is such a big part of you!
The one remaining prerequisite for a musician is an understanding and supportive partner - without whom youve no chance at all. Reminds me of the old joke: What do you call a musician without a significant and supportive partner? Homeless!
So, finally, whats the difference between a musician and someone who wants to be a musician? Its simple. A musician is someone who gets on with it. They step outside of the box of conventional 9-5 and all that goes with it and live the life and all it entails. They probably wont make it big, but they define their own success and whatever happens, theyll never lose sight of why theyre doing what theyre doing.
And someone who wants to be a musician, a star? Well, theyre unable to do the above!
So, lets go back to the beginning - If you still want to be a musician, a recording artist, then Ill give some hints and advice on demos in part 2.
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
David Wright is a solo keyboard player and recording artist, composer and producer who founded the electronic music label AD Music in 1989. Also founder member of the electronic band Code Indigo and has released 24 solo and band albums over an 18 year period, with performing and production credits on many more. www.admusiconline.com
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