Last Updated on May 15, 2019 by Klaus Crow

Photo by Bigstock photo

“And when our baby stirs and struggles to be born it compels humility: what we began is now its own.” ~ Margaret Mead

Last tuesday my wife gave birth to our third child. His name is “Jim”. I’m truly grateful for the fact Jim and my wife (and of course my two other kids) are healthy and doing great. It’s the only thing that really counts.

I’m happy and I feel blessed! Once again a lesson in “humility”.

A quality that the sage practices constantly according to Lao Tzu.

Reading and studying the Tao Te Ching written by Lao Tzu (legendary Chinese philosopher and a highly spiritual man who lived about 500 years before Christ) there are a lot of beautiful lessons that I learned.

One of those lessons is that life gets way better when you add the following ingredients to your daily life: Serving, helping out, listening, caring, loving, spreading kindness, teaching, sharing and then stepping back. And by the latter he means “not taking the credits for it”. That’s when you really apply the power of humility.

He also talks about happiness and fulfillment. And that it isn’t found in the craving for succes or becoming number one. As the old saying goes “What goes up must come down”.

Lao Tzu refers to all water on top of the highest and most impressive mountains that will eventually come down to the small lakes and rivers down below. He writes: “Those who are humble and stay under the radar will outlast all who strive to be recognized”.

Just let go of the need to be successful in the eyes of others. Let go of status and how you want te be seen as a musician. Just play, perform and share your music. Be respectful, at peace and low-key. Let others “talk” about their talent and success.

By letting go of “wanting to excel above others, to compare, compete and depending on your status” you choose to be free. Free from the madness and free to be who you really are. It will shine through in your music and you as a musician.

So in what more ways can you apply the power of humility as a musician?

Let’s take a closer look:



Be like water

When you work with fellow musicians, music creators and people in the music business be gentle, humble, observe, listen and be flexible. Be like water. Water is fluid, soft and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield.

Whatever is fluid, soft and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. What is soft is strong.

Appreciate your audience

Don’t be indifferent to your audience. That’s not rock ‘n roll, that’s just uncool. Thank your audience for coming before you start playing and thank them afterwards for listening to your music. Show your appreciation, be humble and make beautiful music from your soul.

Teach your students

Share your knowledge, wisdom and skills. Teach others what you know and then step back. Make them believe they accomplished it on their own without your help. Make them proud of themselves. Give them the space to grow and to flourish.

Be a true band member

Respect your band members and be a true fellow musician. Listen to their input and suggestions. Respect each level and interpretation of musicianship. Enjoy and appreciate their company. Be cool and kindhearted. It will come back ten fold.

Zen mind, beginners mind

When you start practicing forget about all the knowledge you accumulated over the years and practice like you pick up the guitar for the first time. Start from a clean slate and practice with a fresh mind. Observe your arms, hands, wrists, fingers and everything else and focus. Explore new ways to improve. Be open and allow things to happen.

Be free

Let go of competing or comparing. The less you care about the approval of others, the more approval you’ll receive. Let go of striving to be number one, but just make the music you want to make, play the songs you want to play, become the musician you want to be, live the life you want to live. Listen to your soul and be free.

Be the student

Listen more and speak less. There is more to learn from listening than speaking. People will appreciate your undivided attention and they will remember that. Ask questions. What can you learn from this source of knowledge or wisdom? Watch the people who have done it before you but also listen the new generation who are full of new ideas and insights. Be and remain a humble student of music and life.

Don’t be the one who knows, be the one wants to know.

Join the Guitarhabits Facebook page. Just click the green button here below.

