I’ll let you in a little about who I am and some of my deeper ponderings about music and life and all that jazz. Not literal jazz, of course, because I am a mediocre musician. Jazz musicians, you astound me time and time again with your creativity regarding compositions and improvising like no other. But I digress…
I have played the guitar since I was 10 or 11 years old, starting off on a classical, nylon-stringed guitar my parents had brought back on a trip from Mexico when I was 3 years old or so. From an early age, I was surrounded by music nonstop thanks to a classic-rock-loving, bass-playing father and an Anne Wilson-esque mother who could sing the lungs off of anyone. So naturally, I became more and more curious about what music had to offer me. As I began playing that old, beaten up guitar, it was soon found out that my hands were much too small to play the thick neck of the guitar, so my first guitar teacher (of two) suggested to my parents that I get a cheap electric guitar since the necks tend to be much thinner and easier to begin on. And so that Christmas, I was one happy little girl, with a brand new Rogue sunburst electric guitar, small amp and soft case.
I soon moved onto a different guitar teacher within a few months, one renown in the Rockford area (where I have lived most my life) named Pistol Pete, who began to teach me music theory in the form of the Circle of Fifths, more chords and other things I couldn’t remember even if I tried. I was with him for about a half a year or maybe even a full year, I’m not sure. I can’t remember why I stopped lessons, but it wasn’t hindering to me since I had picked things up quite well in a short period of time, soon discovering that I could sing while I played. Talk about exciting!!!
Why am I telling you these things? Well, I am hoping the relevance becomes clearer as you read on.
I am in no way an expert at singing, playing the guitar, writing, composing or producing music, but I do have a few tools that cannot be taught in my arsenal as an artist. Some people are born with natural gifts – natural talents – that when utilized, can form ripples in the pond of humanity. I just so happen to be naturally gifted in singing on key, finding harmonies at the snap of a finger, natural rhythm and most of all – THE EAR. While some are taught classically and can read music, I can’t read music to save my life but I CAN listen to something and pick up the chords simply by dilly-dallying around on my guitar. I have a killer toolbox when it comes to natural, untaught talent and I could not be more grateful for being bred with music in my blood. As it turns out, MUSIC IS MY BLOODTYPE.
I’ve said this before on Sferikul, that music is one of the most powerful things on the planet. Some theologians claim that Satan himself was the worship leader in heaven before he was cast out. If that is true, I can see why he ultimately fell. You see, as a musician and singer, I struggle a whole lot with a little buddy I call PRIDE. While yes, in person I am a modest, seemingly humble person, I have my moments of over-critical perceptions of other artists and their talent. I place myself above others with a sense of confidence unfitting to my reality. I often have to re-calibrate my heart by trying to listen to things I normally wouldn’t whether it be a certain artist or even genres I am not particularly fond of. I try and give people a benefit of the doubt when I go to live shows, too, not rushing into judgment whether by appearance or by their artistry in general.
I think that when it comes to talent of any sort, especially musical talent, it is very easy for one to be overcome with pride. Add success to a musician and they can change – personality, attitude and all – in no time. What I find so utterly startling about music is it’s power to influence others, whether it be a beat, lyrics or the overall tone of the track. However, the music isn’t the actual thing influencing the listener – IT’S THE ARTIST THEM SELF. Whatever the artist adheres to, whether it be political, spiritual or whatever, is poured out into another’s heart via the vehicle of music. And that’s dangerous, folks.
While some may think “oh, it’s just a song”, it really isn’t all that simple. Music gets into your psyche… music can change you. It can change your beliefs in how you look at others, whether with eyes of love, judgment or hatred; can change how you perceive world leaders, religious figures, and even how you view sex, drugs, money and fashion.
Whether artists like it or not, they are influencers. I once read an article several years back where Rihanna stated that
“… people … they want me to be a role model just because of the life I lead. The things I say in my songs, they expect it of me, and [being a role model] became more of my job than I wanted it to be. But no, I just want to make music. That’s it.”
Well, unfortunately, once you succeed in this world, you become an influencer – a role model – by default. It’s no longer a choice, but something thrust upon you because of the life you chose and the decisions you made to become a successful musician or artist. If you’re a singer, artist, or a band LISTEN TO ME – You are given the opportunity to influence tens, hundreds, thousands, and even MILLIONS when you succeed.
- What do you want your legacy to be? One with a positive impact or one of just a living-in-the-moment, fun high?
- Do you want to simply be a temporary trendsetter, or a permanent wave maker in this world?
- What message do you want to get through to your listeners that could impact their lives in a positive way and even possibly – yes – CHANGE THE WORLD?
- Do you have any goals or a purpose for why you make music and perform in the first place?
I don’t care if you think you’re too new or draw too small of crowds to impact anyone, because the fact of the matter is – people are watching you. They are listening to you LOUD AND CLEAR, even if it’s a room with ten people in it. Those ten are there not only to be entertained, but also to be inspired and motivated, to be given hope in such a hopeless world. What exactly do you have to offer them?
It’s a cool but risky and sometime perilous calling if you so choose it, so choose wisely. And I beg of you – DON’T BE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. Don’t solely seek fame and fortune, thinking that that’s what the life of an artist is all about. Because it really can be more, something deeper and hope-giving, if you choose to live it out that way. How cool would it be to stir something inside of people’s hearts?
References
Sferikul 