It is easy to be disorganized as a professional musician. Life doesn't fit into the categories it does with a normal job. Work, hobby, free time, social time, and family all blend together in a crazy tornado. How do we balance the chaos? I think in terms of direction. Where do I want to be? How do I get there? What do I need to be doing today to make forward progress? For me I want to be performing more regularly original music. Things I can do today to make that happen is practice, network, organize my materials on my computer, and schedule rehearsals and gigs. If I do two of those things I have "succeeded" for the day. Woody Allen said "showing up is 80% of life."
When I was younger I thought of goals where I would know that I had "arrived" as a musician. CD at Walmart, playing out every week, and being recognized on the street. To make a living you do have to get to a certain level of success but nowadays I think of playing the music I want, paying living expenses only doing music, and having time to relax with my family as my goals. With this change in my thinking I am a more relaxed happy musician.
If you find you aren't reaching your goals and feel discombobulated perhaps reset your direction. Otherwise talk to a friend or mentor. Life is too short to be in the dumps while doing something as awesome as playing music.
RCM
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
The Snarkiness of Puppies
When any musician goes to see a band that is considered "amazing!" they will have one of two reactions. "Man I got to practice." or "I could do that." I fully expected to be blown out of the water with Snarky Puppy when I caught them this past week. I was surprised when my reaction was more "I could do that."
Not to say they weren't good. They were great. Layered lengthy compositions executed flawlessly with well thought out solos on top of them. The group cohesion was out of this world and they seemed to like each other too.
What they were playing was very doable. Jam bands are predictable. Complex lines become second nature after multiple repetitions. What makes them popular is also their. They have their style and stick with it.
Form of a Snarky Puppy track:
Groovy thing, Syncopated rhythmic dissonant section, then once you get uncomfortable groovy thing, let's quiet down and get spacy, Now let's solo over the rhythmic dissonant part, ok groovy but with an ensemble line, and then a big finish.
Repetition is not bad, but each music creates a context in which to listen to it. In the world of Snarky Puppy everything is as clear as day. Their is no mystery to their pieces and that is where I struggle being interested.
It is the new smooth jazz.
Not to say they weren't good. They were great. Layered lengthy compositions executed flawlessly with well thought out solos on top of them. The group cohesion was out of this world and they seemed to like each other too.
What they were playing was very doable. Jam bands are predictable. Complex lines become second nature after multiple repetitions. What makes them popular is also their. They have their style and stick with it.
Form of a Snarky Puppy track:
Groovy thing, Syncopated rhythmic dissonant section, then once you get uncomfortable groovy thing, let's quiet down and get spacy, Now let's solo over the rhythmic dissonant part, ok groovy but with an ensemble line, and then a big finish.
Repetition is not bad, but each music creates a context in which to listen to it. In the world of Snarky Puppy everything is as clear as day. Their is no mystery to their pieces and that is where I struggle being interested.
It is the new smooth jazz.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Folk music
"all music is folk music, I've never heard a horse sing."-Louis Armstrong.
Sheldon and I played at a Folk Festival today put on by my good friend Peter Searby. I think we are too quick to jump into our selective musical boxes and avoid interactions with different genres and styles. Is the Robert Monroe Trio folk? No ... and yes. Any music worth listening to both defines and defies the genre that it finds itself in. Instead of thinking in genres and styles when listening and "judging music" approach it from patterns and communication. What is the artist saying? Do I agree or disagree? Was my mind stimulated by the message sent across? Ask these questions the next time someone invites you to check out a new artist or cd.
Sheldon and I played at a Folk Festival today put on by my good friend Peter Searby. I think we are too quick to jump into our selective musical boxes and avoid interactions with different genres and styles. Is the Robert Monroe Trio folk? No ... and yes. Any music worth listening to both defines and defies the genre that it finds itself in. Instead of thinking in genres and styles when listening and "judging music" approach it from patterns and communication. What is the artist saying? Do I agree or disagree? Was my mind stimulated by the message sent across? Ask these questions the next time someone invites you to check out a new artist or cd.
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