Music Study: Being Patient and Impatient
When my guitar students are working on a difficult technique, like learning chords, I tell them to be patient and impatient.
As students, we must be patient with ourselves to avoid frustration, to avoid quitting too soon. We must also be impatient with ourselves to stick with a practice routine, to review the concepts daily.
It’s a delicate balance for learning, being patient and impatient.
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I’ve been applying this concept to my own music studies.
For my set at Folk the Police, I felt intimated learning two rap songs that had 1425 words total, but I wanted to perform the songs for memory. (To compare, my original song “Made a Mess” has 117 words in it!)
I had to be patient with myself to avoid getting frustrated.
- Watch an Instagram video of my “The Real Slim Shady” cover: http://instagram.com/p/yTMJlLGb-t/
I also had to be impatient with myself, too.
I originally planned to sing “Regulators,” but I wasn’t happy with how my version was sounding. The song wasn’t gelling after six weeks of practicing, so I made the right choice, and switched to Snoop’s “Gin and Juice” two weeks before the concert.
- Watch an Instagram video of my “Gin and Juice” cover: http://instagram.com/p/
yTNa4gGbwy/
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Thanks again to everyone who attended Folk the Police last night and host Matthew Alturda of Tree Town Sound! Once or twice a year, I get to perform for that many people in one spot, like last night’s sold out Blind Pig. It was a real treat!
Video credit: @b_lyfe on Instagram
I’ve been pondering–procrastinating–about what to do with all of the new music I’ve been writing and demoing over the last two years.
What’s the best way to release music in our streamed, cellphone-held, and digitally moved world?
For 2015/2016, I’ve had trouble deciding:
- Should I release a full length record; or release lots of singles, digitally?
- Should I record a solo acoustic/vocal version, as I normally perform live; or record more production with full band arrangements?
Today, I was chatting with my friend Craig Carrick, a music fanatic, about his thoughts, listening habits, favorite artists…His answers gave me permission to trust my gut.
I think releasing one song at a time–once a month, if I can afford to–is the best decision for myself, my time and my budget this year.
While the machinery of the media and radio DJs still prefer albums, the public really doesn’t. A band announcing a “CD release party/show” sounds goofy these days, doesn’t it?
With my baby on the way, I won’t have weeks of time to sit in a studio to put together ten songs, but I might have an afternoon to focus on one.
So I’m interested to hear what other songwriters and bands are considering. I’m also interested to hear about how you are listening and finding new music lately.
Either way, I’ve made my decision. February starts it. Music is coming, one at at time.
This is how Lois likes to get work done.
How do we measure art, and decide what is the best?
Contrary to popular belief, the best art isn’t decided by who gets the most clicks, listens, or attention. The best art doesn’t, necessarily, make a lot of money. Vincent Van Gogh’s lifetime earnings from his works come to mind.
Rather, the best measurement for art is if it inspires the artist to create more art; if it inspires others artists to create; if it has a meaningful conversation with past works; if the audience leave their experience after the work with a new sense of being…
If the art makes money, then a second success was achieved; but don’t let that measurement overshadow the initial measurements of success.
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Here’s what I’m digging today:
The Soil and the Sun’s “I Know It (I Feel It, Too)”
Before my baby arrives in March, I’m touring a bit in February and releasing a new music this year!
Shows are all ages and no cover unless specified:
Feb 7 – Plymouth Coffee Bean Co. in Plymouth, MI, 8 PM
Feb 13 – Midtown Brewing Company in Lansing, MI, 9 PM, 21+ (Hosted by Great Lakes Collective)
Feb 19 – Crescendo in Madison, WI with Frances Luke Accord, 7 PM (FB event) ($5)
Feb 20 – House Show in Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL with Frances Luke Accord, 8 PM (RSVP: FB event) ($8 suggested donation)
Feb 21 – Gallery Brewery in Portland, MI, 8 PM
Feb 26 – mash in Ann Arbor, MI with Carrie McFerrin, 6 PM, 21+ (RSVP: FB event)
Feb 27 – Raven Cafe in Port Huron, MI, 7:30 PM
Feb 28 – Black-Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe in Angelica, NY, 7:30 PM (RSVP: 585-466-3399)
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[UPDATE 1/24/2015] I’ve been pondering if I should release a full-length or lots of singles. February will mark my dedication to release more music, one song a month, rather waiting all year to do an album. More about this here.
Natalie’s been feeling pretty good during the third trimester! Lois, however, is clueless that anything big is happening with the Vial/Burg family!
We’ve tried to explain to Lois she will soon have to share us when the baby arrives, but she’s clueless.
Musicians, writers, artists, creators, let’s play the numbers game!
The numbers we shouldn’t worry about counting:
How many:
- followers do I have on Twitter?
- likes does my page on Facebook have?
- subscribers does my Youtube channel have?
- [insert numbers] other musicians have in comparison to myself?
- negative comments did my work receive by anonymous trolls?
- pieces of my gear are the most expensive, industry standard?
- bad things could happen if I release this work?
- times did a famous person get written about in the news?
The numbers we should be counting:
How many:
- hours did I spend working today?
- hours did I read something thought-provoking?
- writing sessions have I challenged myself?
- projects have I created this week, this month, this year?
- moments have I improved my craft?
- times have I shared inspiration with others?
- compliments have I shared with others creators?
- times did I beat procrastination?
As creators, we often view our artistic-life like dieting. We step on the scale too often, and measure things that really don’t matter.
What matters is having a healthy artistic life.
Let’s stop counting, go create.
PS: I don’t know where to put, “How many cups of coffee have I had today?”
My daily count of cups of coffee: three; unless I’m at Fourth Coast in Kzoo, then it’s four.
