For most, great music opportunities are hard to come by. This is especially true when you are just beginning your music career. Simply being busy is not the key to building a successful music career. Therefore, building credibility in the music industry requires building a reputation for great ethics and creativity.

How do you decide which projects to be involved with?

When should you say no to a gig?

Never Settling for Average

Many musicians reach a certain level of proficiency and then stop growing. For most, life becomes so busy that they no longer prioritize their craft and expanding their knowledge.

What are you goals? I, nor anyone else, can answer this question for you. However, I can only tell you that whatever your goals are, being average should not be one of them.

The music industry is extremely competitive. Being average is simply career suicide.

Nurturing Artistic Growth



Evolution is one thing that all great composers and songwriters have in common. Stagnation is not an option. However, the term “artistic growth” means different things to different people.

“Artistic growth is, more than it is anything else, a refining of the sense of truthfulness. The stupid believe that to be truthful is easy; only the artist, the great artist, knows how difficult it is.” –Willa Cather (American Author)

Continual growth scares most of us. The more we grow, the more we expose who we really are. Vulnerability is never comfortable to the sane man. It is in our nature to protect our thought, passions, and dreams because of their fragility.

For this reason, most avoid growth. However, growing is your responsibility for the sake of art.

Ethics for the Young Musician

What I address here maybe somewhat controversial. However, seasoned professional musicians will agree with me.

These ethics are written to help you avoid burn out, cynicism, and decreased motivation. The absence of solid ethics will result in distractions that will detract from artistic growth and extraordinary music performance.

Maintain your craft: Do not believe the misconception that working is maintenance. Step way from the gigs and projects, to make sure that both you and your equipment are in top working order.

Do not believe the misconception that working is maintenance. Step way from the gigs and projects, to make sure that both you and your equipment are in top working order. Avoid the exposure myth: At some point, you will be approached about a performance, recording, tour, etc. for a minimal fee or none. However, they will assure you that is great exposure. Having more exposure will not help you avoid burn out, nor will it pay your bills. Don’t fall for it.

At some point, you will be approached about a performance, recording, tour, etc. for a minimal fee or none. However, they will assure you that is great exposure. Having more exposure will not help you avoid burn out, nor will it pay your bills. Don’t fall for it. Be well-prepared, always: I have a simple rule with rehearsals. Come to the first rehearsal prepared to play the concert. If you do this one thing, your reputation will build fast. There are very few musicians who show up prepared. However if you do, you will get calls for the best gigs because you are always dependable. I say this from experience.

I have a simple rule with rehearsals. If you do this one thing, your reputation will build fast. There are very few musicians who show up prepared. However if you do, you will get calls for the best gigs because you are always dependable. I say this from experience. Give credit where it is due: Celebrate your colleagues and others in the music industry. There are too many haters out here. Haters are actually the biggest losers. Also, others will be more willing to reach out and congratulate you for your future achievements.

Celebrate your colleagues and others in the music industry. There are too many haters out here. Haters are actually the biggest losers. Also, others will be more willing to reach out and congratulate you for your future achievements. Use the power of “No”: There will be times when you need to say “no” to various projects. If the working conditions are not professional or the expectations are unreasonable, it is okay to say no.

There will be times when you need to say “no” to various projects. If the working conditions are not professional or the expectations are unreasonable, it is okay to say no. Be honest: If a project is outside of your skill set, make sure that you communicate this clearly. Also, be sure to respectfully communicate anything that may be in the way of you creating the best music possible.