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Ok everyone,
I will try to give each of you an answer to all of your questions - maybe not directly but in what I'll say next might explain.
Anything we do in life, and I do mean "ANYTHING", has a beginning. The fundamentals. How we concentrate on the fundamentals and make them a daily habit will dictate your outcome.
As I teach students today, the first thing that comes out of their mouth is "teach me a song".
My reply is always "On what instrument?" (for those that don't know my major is percussion and pedagogy studies of all instruments.)
I am first identifying their interest.
Then I will take that student and walk them to whatever instrument they mentioned and I'll give them a 15 second demo of what they ask. Then I ask them to emulate.
As always, one of two things happen, they try or they don't. But one thing is for certain, they don't succeed either way.
Why? No basics; fundamentals.
As for percussionists we perform the delicate dance of 5 elements. 4 limbs and the voice. Yes, I said voice.
Each element needs to be independent of the other and yet work in unison.
This takes years of practice and is never perfected because of the human element called flaw.
Ever been walking and for no reason you just tripped yourself or missed a step? Human flaw.
Because we have a tendency to multitask in our brain we sometimes drift from the task at hand. We get comfortable and that's when we make mistakes.
Ok, covered the "basics". If something isn't working go back to the basics. The problem is somewhere where a fundamental is not being done correctly or not being done at all.
Now, the next step. What to do with your new found talent. Market it! Get out and do some freelance work to show what you can do.
Sooner or later someone will notice your talent and you will be hired.
And as all jobs, we look to better ourselves and something better comes along. The biggest thing at this point is not to burn bridges for you might need to return through that path.
Next step is giving back.
Remember where you started and always give back to those that helped you.
Need to network.
Networking is your biggest ally. Word of mouth in the music industry is our bread and butter. Knowing people is your lifeblood. It's such a demanding market for perfection.
Continue your education.
To stay in the market you need to stay current, be a visionary, and continue to practice the fundamentals. Learning is everyday.
What and who you are with can affect you.
Be careful of your actions as well as being around others.
I once had a bass player back in the 80's that drank like a fish and behaved like a sailor on shore leave.
We did a show with Charlie Pride and this one female kept sending "Bass player" drinks all night. "Bass" would walk over during a break and flirt for a moment and then back to the show.
Well, the show is over and "Bass" is now turning into that sailor I mentioned. They proceeded from the lounge to the hotel area.
The rest of the band was relaxing in the lounge for a while when "Bass" came running back in yelling. At first, we couldn't make out what he was saying for the amount of liquor he drank that night.
Once he was closer, we heard "Oh, my God! It's a GUYYYYYYYY!" And out the back door he continued to run.
So, as you can see, not is it always your fault if something happens. It can be circumstancial because you were there.
BTW, the group had a hard time getting back playing in that lounge because of that.
All of this is the same we do here at AdlandPro. We need fundamentals. First learn about marketing. Mingle in the forums and get known. Once you think you have got a grip on marketing - try it. and keep practicing and participating.
When things start to click you will start seeing results. Then you get recognition and sales become more frequent.
But it all goes back to one thing - "THE BASICS".
Sorry for the book but learning is everyday and yes, it's going to take books of knowledge to get there.
Thanks to all.
Kenneth R Sword Jr
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