I am an amateur guitarist. I enjoy playing my instrument and writing new songs to sing while I learn new fingerpicking patterns and scales to impress myself with. I will probably never endorse D’Addario strings(my favorite), sign autographs, accept a Grammy award, or play Carnegie Hall like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Dave Matthews Band.
So what?
The point, dear readers, is simply this: Whether you are a solo musician or a group of nine like Slipknot, you have to remember why you play music. Is it because you want to get rich and be famous, or because it’s a passion? Is it something you devote your life to, or a way to continue feeding and clothing yourself? Most of us can honestly say that we do it because we’ve been madly in love with almost all types of music since we were tiny little children: Because of that passion that was born so long ago, we play now. We have jam sessions in our living rooms. We occasionally screw up the courage to play in local clubs or bars. Sometimes we might even be heard on a local radio station.
Whatever the case, if the passion, the love, the absolute obsession with music is there, then it is worth it.
I don’t care if I never open for Ani DiFranco. I don’t mind knowing that I may not be signed to a record label. What I care about is making music - whether one or one billion people hear me. That is what makes me happy.
Yes, the world needs the mega-popular artists such as Metallica, Blu Cantrell, Sugar Ray, Fleetwood Mac, the Beatles, et cetera. We would not be where we are today without them: Their careers helped shape the music industry as we know it, and their past work influences today’s artists young and old.
But, when you go about the business of forming a band, please remember why you are doing it. Don’t lose your goals because you’re chasing a talent scout or record contract. Focus on the emotions that you feel deep down inside of yourself when you pick up your instrument or microphone. When you make music, your soul rejoices - even if you are the only one listening.
And that, dear reader, is what’s truly important.