The journey to achieving your musical aspirations is not a sudden event. It's not about signing a contract and escaping from responsibilities. Music is not a one-off event, but a continuous, daily process. It's about how your real world interacts with your musical world. They should intersect or at least influence each other daily. Don't just dream about it, make it happen.
What exactly are you trying to achieve? Do you aspire to be the world's best songwriter? Do you dream of becoming a superstar performer? Do you want to lead a church choir or own a record label that records other artists?
Many aspiring artists and writers approach me, expressing a vague desire to do "something" in the music industry. Unfortunately, you need to be more specific than that.
Take a moment to sit down with a pen and paper. Clearly define what your heart truly desires. Remember, the bigger the dream, the harder it is to achieve. However, as long as you're willing to put in the effort, you'll find your place in the grand scheme of things.
Let's say you've decided that you want to be a successful songwriter, with your songs topping the charts and earning you a substantial income. Do you know what the real charts are? Who's currently on them? Which labels consistently chart? What were the styles of the top ten successes in the last two years?
Do you understand the essential elements of a great standard song? Can you name the top sellers of all time in your genre? The top sellers of the current year? Do you understand why they achieved success? Do you constantly strive to improve your skills and knowledge?
Just as you can't do 150 sit-ups without practice, you can't write a great song without practice. You need to practice (i.e., actually write) every day, just like any other improvement program. If the newest song you're showcasing is old, you're not competing as a writer.
If something doesn't go as planned, revise the situation. If the song has flaws, rewrite it until they're gone. If it's the voice, get some training.
Never give up. This is the first piece of advice anyone successful gives, so it must be true. What I'm really saying is to leave no stone unturned. Take advantage of all opportunities and work hard at it.
Remember that each time you sing, play, write, perform, discuss, pitch, etc., you're creating a reality that supports your dream. Don't forget to celebrate the small steps as well as the big ones.
Did you know that most of your small steps are someone else's big dream? Some people would give a great deal to have the opportunity to perform one karaoke song in front of an audience, or have anyone use a song for any reason, or play a great guitar lick, or own a computer. Appreciate the skills and opportunities you've been blessed with that allow you to even have a dream.
