Why So Many Talented Musicians Never Make It
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- Опубликовано: 11 авг 2016
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Andrew Wasson of Creative Guitar Studio
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I earned my whoe life playing classical guitar in the subway of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I am proud of myself, I never had the goal of being famous. I owe a house a land and I am retired now
The industry doesnt want talent.
They want marketability
@Neutral Milk Motel, You're absolutely right about that. My friend is always asking me how so-and-so got to be mega-famous, so quickly. I tell her the reason why is because the music industry is a finely tuned marketing machine and such and such a person just happened to be highly marketable. Actual talent is no longer necessary, thanks to modern recording techniques.
Neutral Milk Motel YEP!!! Exactly!
Well they want both, but would easily sacrifice talent if marketability would increase..
Brings to mind Hunter S. Thompson's observation:
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.”
Excellent comment... and Very True!
Ha ha ha ha - Amazing. - Hunter S. T. was truly phenomenal when it came to calling it like it is.
I agree to a point about Hunter's view on so many facets of life but also remember... Hunter was high on drugs (and alcohol) about 80% of the time. The other 20% he was sleeping.
What makes you doubt it? Have you seen it attributed to someone else? I'm curious.
Interesting. Course it burst another one of my bubbles . . . but what the hey! Thanks for the reference . . . and your time.
I remember Slash once said in an interview that a lot of luck was involved.
EvaSlash he also said that today is way harder than when he started. Then he said he thinks this is a thing that will separate boys from men. While I love Slash, I don't think being a "man" will give you the amount of luck you need
Certainly in Slash's case there was =D
EvaSlash *Slash is just as popular now as 30 years ago. GnR is about the only long haired rock band of their generation that has massive popularity. Even Van Halen is playing the state fair circuit now*
Slash came from money his moms was a model and his mother a model
Ghetto MAn that's right. I love Slash but when your mum dated David Bowie you can't say you weren't helped in some way.
You forgot the 3rd thing, the right family bloodline, Lol.
It's two things:
1) Having the skills you need
2) When the lucky break appears.
Nice video. As a musician myself, I would say that ANY artist needs these three things in order to really succeed:
1) Talent
2) Connections
3) Luck
Without having these three things in abundance, great success is impossible.
Image, charisma, crowd chemistry are more important than raw talent.
proverbs :its all vanity. riches, adoration is fleeting . I just like to play .I play worship guitar at church and playing for god and our church and striving to uplift peoples spirits is so rewarding .I guess from the earliest times music was a communal experience that bonded and uplifted people s souls . I try not to lose sight of that when I play .
:)
Something I learned about the industry is how to be happy! When I was young Yea I thought I'll only be happy if I'm as big as GNR or Iron Maiden. Then I grew as a player a performer and a person. I realized well could I happy without music. The answer was No! Well how do I stay in the industry and still pay my bills? I went to 3 music school I have multiple degrees only to realize they too didn't mean much until I got my audio degree. Now I'm an audio engineer for one of the largest entertainment firms in the the Northeast US. I teach lesson offer copyright consultation and play in a band and as a solo act. When the music pays it's great just playing for some good money. I'll never give up on that one childhood dream but at the same time I know I'll be happy if people are singing my melodies and I'm teaching and doing audio. It's all in the industry and if I had a piece of advice it would be if you love music learn something in the trade besides you instrument learn lighting audio ect!
k
tyler jazz, crap, its now even HARDER to "make it" in the "big studio" market [ definatly here in the UK] because of every one going over to home computer recording, as its now so cheap, - far ceaper then a commersial studio -all the big studios are all shutting doun, and the only way now to get into engineering/production is proberly only nepatism, there are dozens appon dozens of studio engineering courses to degree level, turning out 100's of course graduates who simply cant get a job in engineering with there degrees beacause there are only a handfull of large studios now opperating. so only verry few jobs in that field come up ie as the video auther says , to get such a work posistion , most of it is down to luck and being in thge right place at the right time. . nuff said cheers
Mmhmm..!
Another approach is to think outside the box. Remember that David Hasselhoff was a successful singer in Germany. Pay attention to the foreign music scene as well as the U.S. scene and play where the music you play is hot.
**VISIT MY BLOGGER PAGE** Daily posts for the guitar player... creativeguitarstudio.blogspot.ca/
I don't want to get famous, I just want to get money by playing music
Project-awesome customs me too
like daft punk?
Project-awesome customs there is no money in music.
Forgive me I'm a rider, still I'm just a simple man
All I want is money, fuck the fame I'm a simple man-Tupac
So absolutely true!
100% agree. Has NOTHING to do with talent. There are more talented people chained to a desk job than anyone we've ever heard of. Yes, more talented than Clapton, Hendrix, Garcia, EVH, Metheny....etc. (ok, maybe not Metheny) Be at the right place, right time. Just like meeting the "right" woman. You can't MAKE it happen. You just have to be ready when it does and know that, it may never happen. As for me, tomorrow night, I'll be loading $5,000 worth of equipment into a $500 car to drive 100 miles for $50. :-)
well LADY GAGA played her fair share of low paying gigs in a Zeppelin tribute band for little to no money.
She never quit. Got a lucky break and things worked out. It's a bit of a lottery game, and if you don't play you'll never win. Best of luck to you.
SOUNDS FAMILIAR ! HAHAHA! BREAK A LEG !
And why not Metheny? :)
Unknown Dissident, I'm thinking that's he's just this freaky kind of genius, like a Mozart, that comes around every 100 years or so that's a level beyond everything else.
I m a huge Metheny fan, but I m of the opinion that there are many Methenys, many Keith Jarretts, many geniuses all hidden in our midst. I know what you mean, but even Mozart was not Mozart, seems that was just a strange Viennese con... most if not all of Mozart's work were actually ghost written by much better composers than he could ever be, all died unknown.
The reason some people don't succeed is because they have to write songs for today's audience. Look at Gotye's somebody that I used to know. Totally different type of music but it was something new(although sampled) and catchy. Just write something catchy and don't just show your friends because they will say it's good no matter what. Write something that will catch the persons attention right away like the same way you write a sentence in an essay to catch the persons attention. A hook essentially.
Someone that I used to know did so-so until Walk off the earth covered it. then it got a gazillion more views, likes, listens, and buys.
Defo a big factor..!
Most honest video I've ever seen on youtube.
maybe the 2nd. Watch 'come to glastonbury'.
most people like dumbed down simple music. stuff that's been done a thousand times before. anything good goes right over their head
If it sounds good..it's good. Grow-up.
dave turner lol im 30
You just gave yourself a better reason to grow up
Reggie Tito Exactly because most people are dumb fucks so thier taste in music would follow.
Ben Rech and your smart..lol
I don't think it has as much to do with luck as it is to do with originality. Most musicians these days fall into the trap of imitation. They do this by defining their genre before they even begin. As a result, they ensure they restrict their creativity to the confines of a pre-defined set of rules that we call a 'genre'.
Long story short, be weird, be unique. People like new and different. It will make you more recognizable and distinct hence adding to your 'luck' by making you more visible over your competition.
Musicians fail because they can't work in a group or stick to their guns. Or won't play songs right, or can't stop playing lead, etc etc etc. Musicians fail due to lack of professionalism.
Absolutely spot-on in your analysis..........I went thru everything you mentioned for 12 years and eventually figured out that talent had nothing to do with "making it" in the music business. It's just a horrible business with even more horrible people controlling the fate of most musicians. Your chances of making it are basically less than zero. I finally bailed out and had a wonderful career in the computer world. However, it didn't ruin my love of music and I still play to this day for my own enjoyment. Great video.
been good at playing guitar is nothing, image is everything
Sadly...in these times you are correct. At least in the music business. Being good and talented is out- weighed by the image you project.
Dylan would have had no chance in these times...lol
keep ur self-pity for ur suicide note
Big if true
I wonder why people hate "image" so much. People seem to forget that "image" is an important, positive and powerful thing that pretty much every legendary band that they worship has. Humans are a sight oriented species. Imagery is often a first impression or an attractant to people or visa versa.
You have to at the right place at the right time. LA in 83, Seattle in 90.
The question is why is Jacob Satorious more famous than Jacob Collier who won two fucking Grammys at 21 this year?
Shock Value.
Samuel James Because the mainstream music industry (not to sound like a hipster), people with talent and creativity are a problem. If they can't control the types of music you sing and play then you're of no use to them because you won't make them as much money as they want.
..yes...'because you won't make THEM..as much money as THEY want!!"
Marketing dollars..
I think this was a metaphorical kick to teh balls for alot of people
Thanks for this video, totally unexpected subject but something that really needed to be discussed. Very realistic talk here and from my experience you are right on the money
My own experience led me to conclude, at least as far as bands are concerned, that it's nearly impossible to find even three people who are equally committed to the success of the endeavor. There are plenty of other factors involved, but finding committed people is the ultimate roadblock…
Number one reason why musicians fail..= "THE GIRLFRIEND"
Screw record labels. They are a dying breed. Self streaming your music through things like youtube, itunes ect. Is the way to go.
Hello Andrew, I like your honest thoughts about musicians, talent and the music industry. It took away some of the pressure that I have been feeling during the slow-paced progress I have been making as a musician/producer.
success is all about the looks
I guess that rules you out!
+ricomajestic yup
tottaly aggree
Yes about Looks Imaging & Persona..oh and also if you don;t mind if one or a few of the execs can have Homosexual relations with you of multiple dudes (ie his close friends and investors)..for real no joking either..IF you start to get big and THEY decide that they will give your video a national view..you will then find that YOU will have more semen in & all over you like some kind of damned NightMare Only this one is for real!!Is it any wonder then that MOST of these same folks usually end up OVER DOSE or Commit Suicide, then??Most decent folks absolutely will not be able to handle the powerful humiliation of knowing that these bastards have actually video taped them with sort of hidden security cams so that IF you decide you wanna call the authorities or something in that vein..they will then threaten to send copies of this highly sexually damning "Live" video to your close family members, girlfriend or wife and also to the DEEP WEB through the Deep Web and THIS is exactly how the Shadow government & illuminati get Top Level Good Ethical & Spiritually Clean Politicians to "Play ball" whenever THEY say "Playball!" (or else they'll show a video of Political Suicide for THAT particular politician with a very ILLEGALLY young girl OR boy that he was caught on Secret Security Camera RECORDER the WHOLE event..all for the eventual exposure to THAT politician should he EVER think of going against THEIR plans and intentions??Yep folks. it's as old as The Great Roman Empire political circles for thousands of years and STILL it works today...Political Humiliation & Character assassination tactics of Our Be;loved CIA & NSA and CFR!
Stu West.
Amazing how many of those are contemporary. Like, literally none......
Ed Sheeran and Adele. 90% are models.
Andrew always keeps it fucking real...The frank wisdom is unparalleled and refreshing...I am 21 and learning this lesson early on in my creative life, i predict, will save myself from, well, myself.
Ill make you proud
Very true, Andrew! I've been in it for over 20 years and now getting close to retirement. Glad to be getting out and enjoy playing the guitar strictly for myself now. Luck does have a ton to do with it,,,,and timing.
Glad I found a guitar page that offers some thoughtful insight as well. Subbed.
I really enjoy your perspectives here. Thank you for expressing this so clearly and honestly.
Damn, if I just could make minimum wage with music, I would be the happiest person on the planet.
This is exactly why I stopped playing music as a career path and started learning sound engineering and music production. One day I might help someone else to success, but only through brutal discipline and morally gray work ethics. Just have to wait for the right act to pop up. It's a lot easier to look for talent to sign up than to wait around for some label to sign you.
The reason a high-level musician who is super successful will tell you that it was all about luck is because they are trying to be humble, and they are not going to sit there and tell you that they are phenomenally talented and have a brilliant mind for marketing.
success is a complicated puzzle, of ( as he said ) synchronized events ( mainly promo stuff ) talent plays a big role, but it´s NOT
only about musical talent. you have to be talented in many ways,..
originality would play the BIGGEST role in any music thats worth listening too.
coming up with something unheard of, but what the people NEEDED to hear at that time,...
you can be great and very talented, but WHO whants the hear or see a copy of a copy ?
Most important :
think about what it is YOU have to GIVE !
most people think way too much about HOW te GET STUFF, that minute youre caught up in that thinking you lost it, and
basically speaking put yourself into the greedy crowd.
if you think about what it is you have to GIVE, ..the Universe will ALWAYS pay you back.
beeing caught up in a dream is something completly DIFFERENT then WORKING on your VISION.
the Core Motivation is to ?
be Happy,...
if you know how to be humble, and if you honestly GIVE ?
the chance are quite good, you will be happy,...
everybody gravitates to TRUELY happy people,....
dont get caught up in the Images, Videos, Grammy´s and Oscars.
prepare for the worst, hope for the best, accept the negative aspects of life, and KEEP GIVING honest Music.
and ?
you WILL be succesfull,...
because, all of what i wrote up there is WAY harder to do in our World then One thinks it is.
and trust me,..i have a platinum Record under my belt.
Really nice talk Andrew,thank you!
There are plenty of talented guys out there, especially guitarists. But those who have image and character to go along with talent will be the ones to get noticed first. At the same time there is still a lot of luck as it depends who you find and who finds you.
Hey just returned to your channel after a while. I like these blog discussion videos keep it up!
With the demise of record stores the mid level artists will never be known. Think of all the great alternative music like New Order, The Stranglers, the Specials, or the Damned the employees of record stores would play their stuff while people browsed the indie titles and sub labels. None of that exists anymore. The music industry just picks a face they like and has songs written for them and they are played across their corporate owned stations over and over until people are brainwashed into thinking it's good.
Hell John Lee Hooker had to wait a long time before becoming famous in the 1980s and he started playing professionally back in the 50s
if anyone has curiosity on this theme, you should read. "Everyone loves you when your dead." by neal strauss
Saying most musicians started out wanting to be super-stars is a Rock point of view. Jazz, classical, and other "art music" musicians want to make art and make a living. There's no such thing as a "jazz star".
Let us just be real for the moment , & simplify ...its not what you know , but WHO you blow That matters !
I started playing in 1966. Could read drum music at age 12. I played steadily in a bar band and in the bar band circuit. From 1969 to 1979 I tried to look and sound like Ginger Baker. I modeled my set to look like his. When I'd go to a concert I'd ask myself "What does this drummer have that I don't?" I argued here on YT about it with someone. I knew I was as good as or better than my "Big Time" competitors. By age 25, I realized this was as far as I was going. So I got married and lived the 9 to 5 rat race for about 35 years.
Now I'm retired and started playing again. Now I don't have to live off it as I did in the 70's.
So this man here is correct. GIMMICKS & LUCK. Talent comes in last.
Young talent has social media on it's side. No flea bag hotels. Rolling joints out of toilet paper. NO paying dues.
A lady took a bath in Fruit Loops on You Tube and had the President (Obama) visit her. Instant fame.
YES, It's a whorry business. But no high can compare with people gathering and paying money to see you perform.
good video and explanation. thank you. subbed ☺
Network and make connections
INVEST in the band
Everything from doing an album to marketing to merch or equipment.
Out work the other bands and don't stay local.
Stay consistent and keep pushing.
Sure luck is involved but that doesn't mean you can't give yourself a better chance.
People don't succeed because they are lazy. I have seen so much talent be squandered because they don't want to put in the extra miles. Unwillingness to wake up early, unwillingness to practice, unwillingness to do something new, unwillingness to take risks, unwillingness to take criticism, yet they have the arrogance and greed to act like they are a hot shot. And trust me, I have seen people with talent make it, and people with talent fail. The thing that differentiates the two was their work ethic, and their willingness to be humble, to go where they're uncomfortable. Middle-class musicianship is possible now, believe it. Platinum sales and fame is not success. There are plenty of local musicians out there that can survive off of their music income.
Most musicians I have seen try to do music as if its a part time thing, but its not. Its a lifestyle you need to dedicate yourself to, every hour, every second. The music industry brings in musicians that try to be businessmen, but the ones who succeed are hardworking businessmen who know how to be musicians.
(From a person tired of seeing lost talent)
Thx for the heads up
Not related to musicians but I used to work for a utility company and did often install services in many producers of Hollywood companies. I used to see boxes of "head shots" pictures of aspiring actors laying around on their office floors. My son played in a heavy metal band after graduating from college with a degree in chemistry. I told him that if he wanted to pursue music, now is the time when he was young enough. He's now a senior environmental inspector for the county but continues to grow his guitar collection with one offs that are custom made. Very good advice!
This guy has been there, if you take his entire message (not isolated sound bites such as "luck") you will realize he is correct in much of what he says. Like ANY industry, it is the money trail that must be followed. CEO's are not "there" for the promotion of "art" (starving artists?) but to make money for stockholders. Talent is great, there is no shortage of this, but the scouts are looking for something/someone who is "marketable" to a large segment of a segmented listening audience. What will sell? What has the "hook" that will bring in big bucks?
Economic theory tells us that there is only so much money to chase many available products. How to get market share is the quest of the music industry. They don't care whether or not the material is amazing, let the buyers "vote with their wallet". The A+R man's only job is to predict if this act will sell. Pop and country are the two big sellers because it satisfies people's want or need.
If it was about artistry and talent, then jazz and classical would be the mainstay of the music industry. If you want to be the next biggest "thing" you will need to be "marketable" so that big money and image makers are convinced they can package your "product" for a fickle market.
There is high competition because so many want fame and fortune and accolades. Good luck, there are many others vying for the same limited supply of available "music sales". Economics wins out in the end. Do you have a product that can potentially have mass appeal? Step aside Beyonce, Cher, and Kenny Chesney. Here comes the next money maker!
You're spot on here!
You need to have the songs. if you have lousy songs, forget it.
dennis neo explain Shooting Star?
dennis neo fuck off, i know so many great compositions from my friends alone. you need to have the mind of a business man. you have to get accepted by bigger audiences, get gigs at better places. reach out for fans, being heard is much harder than making noise
This year I have been a finalist in the the Best Solo Act category in the Cardiff Music Awards, I was featured on TV and in the mainstream press as a contestant in Britain's Got Talent when I performed in front of the judges and got a lot of women up on stage with me, and I have held the number 1 Singer-songwriter in Portugal position in the Reverb Nation charts, but with all of that I am still looking for my lucky break!
my band and I anti pop junkie , we met in like 99 , we played local shows , had a little success as we seen it, we started partying to much and went to prison, we got out and started up again , I really believe we are the best band u never heard we have endless amounts of good music , we have some stuff on reverb and you tube
what is the band called??
anti pop junkie
He says the name in his comment Jake A..what did you think "My band and I anti pop junkie'" meant?
+Marbles McGee Well it's possible he forgot to put the word are between I and anti.
And why would that be necessary? Look at the context of the whole sentence. He says they "played local shows"...so obviously he is talking about a band. Jake is an idiot.
Great video. Success in the music industry is a combination of talent, looks, timing, and perseverance. Talent, looks and timing are all part of luck. I play for fun now and I'm happy
thank you for the thought provoking video.
Karl Lagerfeld once said; Fashion is 5 percent inspiration and then selling, selling and more selling.
Its because people like to listen to garbage.
This makes me paranoid. -----------^
how can we make people listen to good music again?
Serious question.
I don't understand how people like drake or Rihanna it's rediculous
+Ajb20 2020 i dont like
Ajb20 2020 I like a bit of some of their stuff
You are so right.! ....
Very true not just for the music industry but any other industry in the world in general
GOOD EPISODE MR.WASSON!! music is expression of the soul, not soulless money bags
Amazing! He talked for nearly 10 minutes and there were about two sentences worth of information. No wonder sane people cannot make it in music business.
I feel that this message made it sound like the successful ones JUST lucked out. The fore-mentioned tough perseverance needed to push through all the crap along the way was also vital for them to hang in there long enough for those lucky breaks to occur. Everyone that does anything for a long time will have their ups and downs, their breaks and their set-backs. Who knows how close someone was to one massive bright moment, that would have made all the difference, just before they gave up. This applies to most career choices where there is a ton of talent vs the demand for them, but one major upside with entertainment is that there really is no competition because there is no limit to how many can succeed. It's not as if fans are going to limit how many bands they listen to.
Most of us don't want to admit that music is a business. We have to pay attention to business. Steer clear of drug and alcohol problems. Have a collective ego instead of individual egos. Have a lawyer look over any contract that is handed to you. Understand the venues and their audiences. Be wary of gigs offering only exposure...Almost never do anything for free. And you really REALLY gotta love it. There are assholes out there...stand your ground without burning your bridges...and PRACTICE AND PROMOTE! These things may not make it happen, but they will place in the best possible path. Great video
Great words!
Thanks Andrew for making this crystal clear! My perception of the music industry is mostly negative. The music business revolves on money and nothing less. I just want to play some gigs, make some money and be happy that is my dream! I am not naïve enough to chase stardom! It's a dead end road for so many talented people. I know a few!
Fates Warning is definitely so underrated. I could never understand why they never blew up? Ray Alder is in 3 different bands. Jim also does a lot of side projects. Joey also plays bass for Armored Saint.
A really good song helps.
Song is king..
The famous musicians I met people said you gotta be making a scene of your own and a social circle that's interdependence and starts local and grows over time from one person after the other. All about networking
I work full time in a studio as a session player. I can say talent and knowing how to read music combined with everything thing else that makes you a good employee really helps. The reality is being successful to me is knowingican uncomfortably live playing music for a living. My bread and butter is being able to fit into any situation even plsying with international artist who sing in a different language.
I'm writting to youtube to make two like buttons.
Success is a combo game. People who learn to play music very young pretend not to practice and say "I would write a better song with my feet and arse than Gun's and Roses. I am a plastologist. I know too much about creativity to not power up and be better than them at their own game in 6 months'"
Music is a showcase as this guy says in the video. What is not accounted for is that music can run in the family and some people can write, practice and rehearse a song that some people will OWN for themselves purely by listening to it more times than the originators - the singing it - and going to the gym more and being more attractive -- and grinning LIKE an IDIOT whilst doing it -- a.k.a. a great creator has to start with impersonating better musicians than themselves. The auditioning process is heavy. Comedians really do knock burgeoning musicans out of talent shows.
I feel like there is more chance of 'making it' if you have a specific style or flair I suppose that is a little unusual and new. For example sticky fingers combined reggae with slight psychedelic influences and indie rock and it got them a really long way.
I haven't played the Piano in years, so I'm no current expert. But I was blessed cognitively.---> What he is missing in this video is that you have to be willing to be a "good slave" and stroke the right egos, but in a timely manner. And timing can be seen as luck, but "stars align" based on the energy emitted from person to person. The more people understand that you have to be willing to be a slave to the craft as much as a monetary slave, the easier it is to stroke the right egos and emit the right energy when needed and WANTED... Society runs more off wants than needs... But we all NEED the energy of others in this reality we live in, in order to thrive more than we think is possible... Its a balance thing, ya know...
Right place right time. A catch toone helps too.
Not in todays music that can take 7+ people to write.
Back in the day, early 80's I did college radio where the music was the focus. Thought I 'd try commercial radio after graduation. Money was the focus there. Got my buXX kicked in sales. Still miss the music.
In modern metal its Because most bands are just making the same sound every other band is, and the ones who make it are the ones who are either 1. Very markatable and can reach mainstream. 2. A band with an original sound
Other guys who dont make it big are usually guys who just cover a bunch of classic rock or 80's metal , play jazz, and basically dont connect with their generation
To make it in the music business you need a hot body and auto tune.
makes perfect sense!
All things being equal, a Great Voice and a Great Producer are the catapulting causes to become successful. Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Bon Scott, Steve Perry, Brian Johnson, Paul McCartney, Joe Elliot, David Gilmour, etc., have unique voices. Together with a great producer, these are the tools that obtain success. L.A is not full of unique voices.
Hey Andrew, are you from Syracuse or Odensburg NY?
Perseverance, people!
Well said
Yea its all about money . That's why now i play for me . i mean guitar has always been very personal experience. Learned how to play on my own ..and i have the most fun playing with friends and family...you just have to love the guitar and music for the joy it creates...not how much money it will bring...... Some of the younger players will need to understand exactly what you said hear ..its the truth brother. 😎👍👍
So if it's almost all down to luck, what can people do to put the odds more in their favor?
If you're a musician talent is a key and it opens up possibilities, for new music, some songs are really easy and yet really good, some songs are really hard and bad. Everyone's heard of talented musicians but to succeed you need to have something new.
Popular music is based on the lowest common denominator. Extremely talented musicians tend to make music that has a limited appeal , such as jazz. The way to get on it popular music is grim determination and blind ambition. Networking within the system is essential. Good management, good image. Work until exhausted ,and then, when asked how you made it look all cool and say "Luck"'.
I say the "timing" which is in some sort relative to luck will play a big part in this. Just never give up and do what makes you happy, to hell with other peoples opinion
Great insights, Andrew - thank you. Your point about nasty people in the music business reminds me of this stanza from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice:
"The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not mov’d with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus: Let no such man be trusted."
SeptimusPugwash - These lines should be carved in marble somewhere ✔
It's because the mainstream uses familiar melodies. That the listener can relate to but are simple and quite boring people don't enjoy complex musical compositions like they used to
You nail it. The biz beat me to a pulp... What makes a musician an artist is the exact opposite of what it takes to do music business... I'm a sensitive soul, have been highly complimented of how soulful I play... but the business has no soul.. it eats them for breakfast...
I persevere... I know I'm good... I just want to make a comfortable living... I'm too old for stardom... I ain't pretty enough either.
These days, finding an audience that actually listens is impossible too. Sigh....
There's just too much music to navigate!
This is true. It doesn't get said enough, but luck coupled with hard work is what its all about.
Glenn Fricker from specture sound studios said it best. The music industry is not a meritocracy. Even if your band is filled with virtuosos there isn't a guarantee for big success. Whether you like it or not musicianship isn't enough in this industry you need more than that.
What an incomplete reduction of the industry. If you think people don't respond to (truly inspired) talent, explain the great new guitarists coming up, such as Guthrie Govan, Mateus Asato, etc. These people had no specific events of 'luck'. They worked hard for their skills, and played from their souls, using social media as their exposure format. People are yearning to hear good music again... even younger generations are searching for music that exceeds the current popular standards. Good music will sell itself, and to convince yourself otherwise is to fail to take responsibility for your lack of commitment and goals as an artist.
The music industry is not dead, it's just moved to a place where only the most creative and innovative people can touch the top. The polar opposite of this is the pop charts, which is quite obviously run to make money off stupid people.
quantametric, crap, what i want to say here is, you quote [ only] two up and comming good guitarist begining to make it for themselves, well, and thats it, you say, and this is crucial, "two" [ + unquoited "etc." ]for these two who actuarly are starting to make it there are 1.000's appon 1,000's who still wont/dont make it, ie, it still holds that only a very very few talented musicians have the needed luck/nepatism to succeed, when you actuarly name say 1,000 obviosly brilliantly talented musicians who have all made it with out luck/nepatism, then i might consider your delusion as haveing some merrit, nuff said
So you want me to name 1,000 artists just to fill your vague delusions of grandeur? There are plenty of other good examples but the fact is that there is nowhere near the quantity of talent that breaks the mold. Here's the thing... people as a collective have evolved the guitar into a complex instrument, so people who play it must push their techniques and inspiration to compete with only the best guitarists. I think guitar is sufficiently developed now that people who arent up to scratch fall away like old sandpaper. People still believe they'll be the next biggest thing, because pop music makes it seem easy to write 3 chords and rule the world.. so instead of practicing their guitar they switch on MTV and get their 'inspiration' from the 'stars'.
It helps to look the part, too.
The ability to write something that...completely by chance (luck)...happens to capture the attention of a large amount of people. That simple. Sorry that reality sucks.