Tips That Will Help You Become A More Successful Musician
Entering the music industry is a bold move and can be quite challenging. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try if you love to make and create music, are good at it, and want to make a career out of your talents.
The love you have for music and your abilities can take you far when you have the right attitude and approach. Here are some tips that will help you become a more successful musician so that your time is well spent and you get the most out of your journey.
Set Goals
Start by setting yourself some goals for what you want to do, work on, and achieve. Goals will help keep you focused when you get busy or have other things on your mind. You can review them each morning when you wake up and every night before bed to keep them top of mind. Make sure that they are attainable and realistic but that they also make you challenge yourself to reach them. Reflect on where you see yourself five and ten years from now and figure out a game plan for making your dreams come true.
Stay Connected
These days you have to be connected and online if you want to remain in touch with your audience, share your music, and build your fan base. Invest in a good, quality phone and get on a plan that provides you with a free sim and only chargers for data usage. Money might be tight when you’re first getting going as a musician but you’ll definitely want to have a mobile phone with you at all times to remain connected, build your following, and respond promptly to important phone calls and messages. It’ll become even more vital if you begin travelling a lot and are always on the road.
Know Your Competitive Advantage
Another tip that will help you become a more successful musician and get recognised as an artist is to know your competitive advantage and edge. There are going to be a lot of other artists that you’ll be up against for gigs and performance time. You should know what you’re good at and what sets you apart so you can sell this to the people who are making the big and tough decisions about who to work with and showcase. It’ll also help you formulate your personal brand and identity as an artist so that you can market yourself and your music effectively.
Practice
You must make time for practice and to work on your technical skills or voice as an aspiring musician. Become more successful at your craft by getting into the habit of practicing daily. You may want to rent out space where you can play or set up a music room at your home so you can practice whenever the mood strikes you or you have time. It’s important that you do not get rusty and that you stick with it so that you not only can keep up with your skills but improve them over time. Don’t be afraid to make practicing more fun and exciting by documenting your progress or inventing fun and engaging games and ways to keep yourself working hard. It’s all about consistency and tracking your performance as you go to see for yourself in what ways you’re improving and what you may need to work on yet.
Take Chances
You need to be willing and able to step outside your comfort zone when you’re looking to get into the music industry and be a musician. Become more successful at your talent by putting yourself out there and not being afraid to fail. It may require you to look silly or make mistakes along the way but this is when you’ll learn and grow. Taking chances will help you develop as an artist and you may discover new talents you didn’t realise you had. Be prepared to experiment with new and different techniques and put in extra hours on the weekends or in your free time. You’re going to likely have to make some sacrifices along the way if you want to have a successful music career.
Build Your Network
Put time and energy into meeting others in the industry. Focus on building your network and getting to know the right people. You can become a more successful musician by having people who you can turn to and count on for advice and answers as you go. However, always be mindful of who you trust and who you choose to open up to, as not everyone may have your best interest. It’s also important to find a mentor who has experience in the industry and can guide you in your next steps and help you avoid making the same mistakes they did.
Keep up with Industry News
It’s also wise to remind yourself that the industry and music scene are always changing. Not only that but there are constant advancements in technology occurring too. Stay in the loop and make it a point to keep up with industry news and updates. Read up on various blogs and articles daily and follow well-known and talented artists on social media. You’ll want to be in the know on certain topics when you attend networking events and other industry outings.
Observe Excellence
One of the best ways to learn and get better at what you do as a musician is to simply observe others and listen to the music they create. You can become a more successful artist by watching those who have perfected and mastered their skill and craft. Observe excellence so you have someone in mind who you want to mimic and be like someday. Your role models can not only teach you skills, etiquette, and how to carry yourself but also all about how to perform and make a name for yourself. Attend concerts and shows and watch artists play online so you can get a better idea of what you wish to focus on going forward.
Go Out & Perform
Go out and perform your music if you want to become a more successful musician. You have to be willing to get in front of an audience and showcase your talents without fear. Remind yourself that you might stumble and fall sometimes or make mistakes but that this is all part of the learning process. The more you go out and perform live the more confidence you’ll build up and the more secure you’ll become in your own skin and with your playing. Be willing to invest in yourself by going where they’ll take you and want to hear you play instead of being picky initially. Stay agile and try new things and experiences so that you can get a feel for what type of environment you like playing in.
Take Good Care of Yourself & Your Health
Help yourself out by taking good care of yourself and your health as well. You’ll find you’re a better musician and happier when you feel full of natural energy and are motivated. It becomes even more important to do when you’re on the road a lot or have a busy performance schedule. You should commit to eating a well-balanced diet, getting enough exercise, resting, and taking breaks away when you need them. You’ll play and perform to the best of your ability when you’re well-rested, can think clearly, and can focus on what you’re doing at the moment. Self-care should be a top priority so that you not only feel well but so you can also healthily reduce your stress.
Stay Optimistic
Your attitude and outlook will also have an impact on your level of success as an aspiring artist. Stay optimistic even when the industry shoots you down or you are told you’re not good enough. If you know that you’re talented and you love what you do then you need to keep trying to get better and make a breakthrough to the other side. Become a more successful musician by maintaining a positive attitude about your skills and your future. There will be people who don’t like your music or who disagree with you along the way but you have to be willing to let it go and filter the noise out. Concentrate on what makes you unique and sets you apart and then continue to practice and work hard.
Conclusion
These are some practical tips that will help you become a more successful musician so that you can follow your passion and have a good experience doing so. Continue to remind yourself that success and happiness aren’t discovered overnight and it will take time before you find your way and begin to build a fanbase and get recognised for your talents. You won’t know how far you can go and what you can achieve if you give up trying, so be sure to pick yourself back up again when you have setbacks. Most importantly, relax and have some fun because that’s what it’s all about, and playing music should be enjoyable for you.