"Unleash the Artist Within" - Interesting Article

[bbchris]

http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/unleash.html



Some interesting stuff for dicussion here:



Sorry, I'm a little distracted. As I write this issue,

"American Idol" is playing on TV. As I watch, I can't help

but think of the old "Wide World of Sports" slogan: "The

thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."



It's great to see lesser-known singers use the 10 seconds

they have to audition to belt out a winning tune and move

on to the next round. And it's painful to watch some the

rejected performances -- both the singers themselves and

the judges' responses.



Regardless of what you think of the cruel critiques, it is

amazing to see that so many people are that delusional

about their vocal skills. They have no idea that they're

off-key and lackluster. And this stirs up mixed and

opposing viewpoints in me.



On one hand, I'm Mr. Positive when it comes to music

people pursuing their goals. You should be driven to use

your talents to carve out a successful career for yourself

(or at least a satisfying niche on whatever scale you decide

is right for you). And you shouldn't let Simon, Randy,

Paula or the dozens of other naysayers in your life force

you off the path you have chosen.



But, damn, some of these "American Idol" wannabes

demonstrate how that mindset can be taken to a harmful

extreme. I know many of them are nervous and not giving

their best performances. I know art is in the eye of the

beholder. I know that some pretty awful talent has made it

to the big time and even enjoyed hit records.



But how can you be sure you're not one of those artists

whose mental image of your own talents far exceeds what

most other people think of you?



The good news is, most musicians (like most artists in

general) are plagued by a little voice inside that's always

doubting whether they have the right stuff. The voice

questions whether your latest song is really good enough

to record or whether you blew the phrasing on that last

chorus or lead solo.



If you have self-doubts, be grateful. They assure that

you'll keep striving to improve. Your doubts make certain

you don't get too comfortable or lazy in your pursuit of

music.



Another aspect of this is something I've been harping on a

lot lately: your relationship with a growing number of fans.

Even if the "judges" of the world don't praise you, you're

still a success if you have a decent number of fans who

not only enjoy your music, but support it with their bodies

at live shows and their dollars toward CD and merchandise

sales.



And there's yet another conundrum: Artists should create

music to please themselves and not be steered by trends

or outside pressures, yet it takes lots of satisfied fans

to validate your pursuit of a career.



I've never seen American Idol but I've heard enough about it to guess what it's about!!!!



These days music ISN'T just about sounding great. Some of these shows are an audio-visual feast!!! I was discussing last week with a video guy and he said imagine if Buddy Holly turned up now - NO ONE would sign him.... Of course I had to find out WHO the hell Buddy Holly was before I could agree....

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

[Phil Frazier]

Good article.



No matter how intelligent some people are their delusions bury their mentality.



I have had many musicians audition for various bands I have put together. Some of them were pathetic but they just didn't recognize that. One time a couple of guys came over and they were guitar players. After about 10 minutes of hearing them play I went over to their amps and turned them off. They looked at me shocked. I said please take your amps and go. It took them a few minutes to realize I wasn't joking.

[debbie mannas]

I'm permanently a nervous wreck, constantly questioning my abilities. And if I goof up I kick myself all evening. Is anyone else like this?



Waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

[bbchris]

hahahaha Phil !! You've just reminded me about this 'guitarist/singer' who auditioned for a band I am in - we were pissing ourselves laughing. He came in and started tellling us 'how to rearrange our songs' then when I was singing he grabbed the mic away from my mouth and started singing this 'off-key' vocals. I thought he was being silly at first.... hahahahahahahahahhaa We still laugh about him. It explained why he'd been in HK for 10 years but could never get into a band............. hahahahaha I'm laughing now hahahaha

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

Edited by: bbchris  at: 1/23/03 6:23:12 pm

[bbchris]

DEBBIE! You HAVE to expect to 'goof' at every gig - that's kind of the fun of it all! OK we all do some 'cringe-worthy' moments but usually only we ourselves remember it! hahahaa And REMEMBER if YOU feel nervous, you tend to LOOK nervous as well. It's all a matter of experience You'll just keep getting better and better!!! wheeeeeeeee

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

[Phil Frazier]

I 'm usually never nervous if I'm playing gigs with a band. Solo gigs make me nervous. Nobody there to cover those glaring mistakes. Funny thing is that most of the time the audience doesn't notice the mistakes unless one makes it obvious to them.



One time at a gig with a band I was in, I played the wrong chords to a song on purpose. The audience didn't notice but my bandmates were really angry. They were giving me those dagger stares. I just smiled and kept playin those foul chords. Then the drummer couldn't stand it anymore. He threw one of his drumsticks at me and hit me in the back with it. Ok. I didn't want the next one to hit me in the head so I played the correct chords and we finished that song.

[debbie mannas]

When I'm singing I'm OK, cause the song takes over - but Phil's right - me and guitar alone, or solo in a church situation, oooooooooooooo. Funny thing is I dont look or sound nervous (least no one has said so!), but I'm definitely not as relaxed as I could be. I guess a lot depends on the crowd. One friendly face (that doesn't know me!) is enough to send me up, and one scowling face is enough to shake me. I'm learning to let these things affect me less though, and focus on the friendlies Sigh. what a life!



When I was in our college band we had a drummer (all girl, what could we do, female drummers were not thick on the ground!) who took ages and ages to learn a song and then steadly lost pace so by the time we finished we were playing a dirge!!! My sister finally took over cause we just gave up with her in the end LOL.