5 Things You Have to Avoid If You Want to Become a Successful Musician
Any movement forward means some sacrifice. Many articles are devoted to how to be more productive, more successful, and how to become better in general. But what about the things to say goodbye to? To come to some tangible result is just as important as performing certain actions, and sometimes giving up something. Here are a few things you should avoid to become a successful musician.
#1 Procrastination
We all do this, so you don’t have to blame yourself too much, but you need to start moving faster towards your goals. Procrastination can hurt you much more than you think, it eats up precious time, and little by little you lose opportunities. It is completely imperceptible daily, but if you pay attention to the results of a month or a year, knowing the exact number of hours spent unclear on what, you can be horrified. Therefore, the first step to parting with this addiction should be a clear awareness of yourself at the specific moment of procrastination — and this is not so easy.
Any time, whether you open a website, pick up your phone or turn on a TV series, think for a second: is it a worthy use of my time now, or do you deserve it? You don't have to judge yourself at every moment, but try to be honest with yourself. In most cases, all these innocent activities can be replaced by additional hours or minutes of music practice.
#2 Endless Parties
Dancing and spending time with your friends could be very helpful and recharging. If you can party all night on Saturday, and then show up for the rehearsal on Sunday without delay, then you are very lucky. However, if this does not happen, and crazy nights tend to completely erase the following days from your history, and you still cherish the hope of becoming a professional musician, then it's time to think about your lifestyle.
You can agree that sometimes the music turns out to be interesting when you are under the influence of fun, but in no case should you rely on this and make it the fuel of the creative process.
#3 Making Everything Perfect
Many performers fall into the insidious web of perfectionism, and often do not finish what they started. Endless digging can be interesting from an artistic point of view, but it doesn't help your productivity in any way. Believe it or not, fans don't care how many years you spent in rehearsal and recording studios for your single, and many of them will simply forget about you.
Some artists create something for the movement of art and are little understood by ordinary listeners/viewers. Other artists need their creations, and there are very few of them. If you are one of those who need live contact, then you need to feel responsible and set yourself some kind of framework/deadline.
Of course, we do not mean that you need to release sloppy, unfinished work. There is no excuse for someone who does their job half-heartedly, especially if they love it. But you need to be aware of when you go overboard and when your music is already good enough to be heard. Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good!
#4 Attempts to Sound Like a Rockstar
Some of those who want to be big stars think it's enough to either copy superstars or find the same sound. After all, if there is such a huge demand for Bruce Springsteen, U2, Muse, and others, then surely there will be a place on the world stage for someone else who sounds the same. Right? No, it’s wrong. It's not a strategy that won't get you on the big stage. It won't get you anywhere at all.
Indeed, we are all inspired by something, exploring styles and looking for the perfect sound. But the superstars have already done something that cannot be repeated. Therefore, finding a unique sound, even if it takes a long time, is one of the most important things in becoming a musician.
#5 Comparison
And the other side of the previous point, which can be destructive at the very early stage of a promising project. Some people look at superstars and think that they will never get there in their lives. And with such a perspective, the chances of this hit are rapidly diminishing. You don't have to compare your music with the projects of millionaire producers, your DIY clips with MTV standards, and you don't have to think that something is impossible there. Remember, they have their options, and you have yours.
Of course, the chances are huge that you won't become an international star and record a thousand top-notch hits. But this also means that you need to stop doing what you love or do it less than you really can. Everyone starts somewhere, and the most crucial thing that needs to be eliminated is your doubts and fears.