I posted this on Facebook last week or so. I think it would definitely be helpful if I pasted that note from Facebook to a post on this blog!
Here it is:
This is something I’m writing for everyone, but especially concerns people who write or play music. It’s really important, because I think so many towns have their shells that keep some people from seeing the truth about life. And music seems to turn into politics everywhere, and I must say it really disgusts me, despite the truth that it is indeed a fact of life. (Please note, this note does not attack any specific institution, just attacks general issues people have everywhere)
I’ve come to reflect on some peoples’ words of wisdom, and I can’t help but reflect on them sometimes, and wonder if some people who seem like my friends on Facebook really think about what these people who really impacted my life have to say.
Perhaps it’d help if I’d go over them in a list:
1.) Enjoying life. In many people’s careers, they choose to work that job or something either because it’s the only one they can find, it’s what they’re best at, or it’s something they enjoy. Or sometimes it’s all three. But there are many people that just work in a career today because they’re just so good at it. Do they really enjoy it? Some of them hate their lifestyle! And I think this is especially something for musicians to think about because if you are playing your instrument or writing music or singing it mainly because you’re so talented at it, you’re probably not getting the most out of life, and might even seriously hurt yourself someday. I know some people that are already seriously mentally and/or physically injured because of this vice. Some of these people treat music more like politics this way, and that really annoys me now. True musicians will play music because they chose to do it and they’ve always loved doing it, not because they’re pressured by people to do it or they feel that music is the only thing that they’re good at contributing effort to. I’ve double checked myself… I’ve tried all kinds of activities besides those of the Fine Arts in my life now, and it makes me more sure that I’m a musician. But some people don’t explore other areas and maybe don’t know that they’ll really enjoy something else so much more. Broaden yourself! Don’t just stick to one thing, because when you center your life around one kind of career path from day one in your life when God has another plan for you, you’re due to be a really sad and sorry human being. Whatever you do, DO something because you enjoy it, not for ANY OTHER REASON.
2.) Comparisons. In our small towns and even big cities alike, we always look in awe at someone who’s so talented in a certain field. While that’s not really a bad thing, we then subtly create certain ranking systems inside ourselves and compare ourselves to them. This is not going to help anyone in the long run. It will confuse people, and make people feel that they’re not meant to do something that someone else seems better at in some way, when as a matter of fact they may be needed and may be meant to play their role in that field in a way no other individual could do it. All these stupid political ranks come from the wrong inner ambitions with a need to top everyone else in a certain field as well. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHER PEERS! This slowly eats away at the light that is put in each of us to accomplish what we were meant to accomplish. Just work to improve yourself. You might be surprised at a strength that you unleash that others don’t.
3.) Talent in general. I know most people will be impressed by one’s talent. But I know some people that look beyond that- and are no longer impressed by talent in anybody. When I ask one of those minds why that is, he replies, “Talent is everywhere you go.” And that, my friends, is very true. We have people that reach their chairs in All-State orchestras all over. Ever played a Ligeti dialogue? I haven’t, but I’ve seen someone do it, and it’s the most intense solo performance that I’ve seen yet (that kid was principal cellist twice in Oklahoma All-State, kiddies). Does that keep me from wanting to play cello? If I kept comparing myself to him, then yes, eventually I would quit because I’d feel that I can’t do something as great as he does. There were points in my life when I was ready to quit because I was so impressed by people’s talents. But talent is everywhere. Remember that, it’s really important. And just because someone beats you in a chair or something doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re better than you in every way, they just beat you in a audition. I do believe now in doing your best in whatever you want to do. But let’s just not think about how people are “better” than other people and have “impressive” talents, OK? That makes some people lead in roles sometimes that are actually meant for another individual at that moment in time.
4.) The best leaders are not always the most talented people. In fact, they’re often people that are down to earth, and just try to be inviting to everyone who follow them rather than intimidate them into following them. I know a conductor that’s always inviting, and I know a few who are more often intimidating. I liked the inviting conductor more than any others that I’ve worked under. And that conductor has a doctorate in more than one type of conducting, folks! And… he really hates publicity, which is why I’m not writing his name here. Neither will I write the names of other conductors I’ve met. But the best leaders are people who understand the people that they work with. They really try to get to know people that they lead instead of trying to forcefully bend them to their will.
5.) With all of this said above, music is an expression of a soul which is capable of expressing things that words might not sufficiently describe. Do you really like what you write or perform? Why? Does it reach to yourself and seem to communicate a message that perhaps really touches your soul? This is to me always the best kind of music, not just music that impresses people, but touches people. Music is NOT politics, which sometimes seems rather synonymous in the Fine Arts world when that’s really not the case. Music captures a certain mood or setting, but it was not created to enslave people in a system of how wrong or right you might be in your approaches to performing and writing it.
In other words, BE CAREFUL, AND ENJOY LIFE!
I hope musicians especially read this, because I think a few have missed the point of why we write and play music in the first place. It’s not a condemnation, just a friendly reminder. 
