Defining The True Artist - Do You Have What It Takes?
There
are musicians who are more than comfortable remaining anonymous. You know,
happy to hide behind their guitars or keyboards and be sidemen to the
stars of today or tomorrow. Then there are those that have grandiose aspirations
of stardom, adoration and limelight. And then there are those who have
a driving desire and need to say something original artistically, to express
themselves and to communicate that expression to an audience, be it a
small niche market or wider demographic.
Those falling into the first category can make a living, albeit fairly
modest as a general rule. Those falling into the second category often
live in a little bit of a dream world and, depending on their tenacity
and 'smart' skills, usually end up disappointed because the focus is set
on the destination rather than the journey. The third category usually
reap the rewards of the second category gaining all the success and limelight,
but as a result of focusing on their art rather than the shallow and flighty
end of the musician's world. These are usually the most fascinating people
too, because they generally have a little mystery about them and because
they actually possess what most entertainers really want; sincere and
dedicated talent!
But there are also those that are in the early stages of artistic development
who are still learning their craft, and open to influences. Possibly they
will become great artists in the future, possibly not. It will be a question
of choices and consequences, and doors opened and opportunities taken
advantage of - or not. Life certainly will take you places.
But for those that do have aspirations of artistry and expression, then
I firmly believe you must have qualities that others do not have. As an
artist I believe one must stand out from the heard in order to be heard.
It is so easy to make a record these days. One no longer needs to have
the luxury of a recording contract in order to stand on a pedestal and
say "I am an artist - buy my record!" With home studios costing
one 16th of the price they did ten years ago and with software programs
that do it all, you can churn out albums by the dozen if you put your
mind to it. And many do.
However, just because you can, why would you? - is my question. Just for
fun? OK, valid I suppose. But Isn't it better to spend that time and energy
searching relentlessly for something unique and different? God knows record
companies are releasing enough crap by the hour, even signed artists are
now under the impression they have got something to offer. Maybe they
have, but for the most part I don't think so (as public reaction and their
soundscans will attest!)
Perhaps I am being extremely unfair, but I think too many artists do not
realize that they have a responsibility to say something profoundly unique,
certainly if they expect any kind of career longevity. We live in a world
where musicians spend their lives emulating their heroes; singers spend
their lives emulating Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, Frank
Sinatra and so on. Rock guitarists spend their lives emulating Jimi Hendrix,
Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen. Jazz guitarists are proud emulators
of Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Wes Montgomery. Saxophone players worship
Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Michael Brecker. And so on...
Before I go on I have to say that emulating heroes is absolutely imperative
in your formative years as musicians. You simply MUST listen to the greats,
past and present. One has to have a strong grounding and musical knowledge
and one simply cannot get there without listening. However, way too many
'artists' cannot get passed this stage. They need to have peer approval,
have to know that other respected musicians around them recognize them
and applaud their abilities. Often all this takes place subconsciously.
This 'peer approval' is a stage of development that is also important.
Every musician goes through it at some point. It is absolutely natural,
but I firmly believe that to become a great artist, you have to move beyond
that stage and look inward. I always liken it those wedding band singers,
who despite having an honorable and justifiable (and in some cases envious)
career, they are all too often the 'performing monkeys'. They are often
fine vocalists but at the end of the day they are seeking approval and
applause and not communicating or expressing anything artistic. They certainly
know how to entertain but do they know how to intrigue? It's a huge gap.
Nothing remotely subtle about it as far as I am concerned.
The real communicating artists seek unique expression. They are not interested
anymore in sounding like their heroes. They have moved past that, now
searching constantly, developing and refining their own unique voice.
Look at any of the true giants of yesterday and today. Yes you can hear
their references, but they also have their own strong identity. At some
point during their development something bigger than them took over. The
chances are they knew it at the time and took advantage of it and made
an extra effort to really hone that uniqueness.
Finding that unique inner voice might not be as easy for some. I think
it starts by recognizing your technical weaknesses. It is often those
weaknesses that ultimately end up becoming your artistic strengths. Let's
face it, if you were able to play the guitar technically perfect, at all
speeds, meticulously so every note that came out was totally clean and
audible, would this be ultimately interesting to an audience? Yes it might
be very clever and impressive, but for how long could you listen to an
album where every phrase felt like you were having your teeth drilled!!?
Wes Montgomery played with his thumb (after his family complained he played
too loud late at night), ultimately enabling him to become the greatest
and most influential jazz guitarist of all time. BB King has about three
licks in his entire blues repertoire. Does anyone NOT know BB King when
they hear him? Thelonius Monk refused to conform to traditional piano
techniques and musical ideas. He simply HAD to play music the way he heard
it in his head. He made such a bold musical statement during his time
that he is emulated the world over and revered by the greatest musicians
living today.
Technical shortcomings can be the very essence of your unique artistry.
Now, should those shortcomings get in the way of what you need to say
musically then those weaknesses might need to be turned around so they
don't restrict what you hear in your head.
Remember, the true artist simply communicates from within. All other extraneous
thoughts, influences and distractions need to fall by the wayside. The
minute a lick or a phrase that your hero played or sung (and made famous)
ends up on your record - watch out! You might be in trouble. Absolutely
steal from your heroes, but just remember that real artistry is about
what YOU have to say, not what your heroes have already said before, and
have possibly said better.
Push yourself to the max and search for that truly unique quality within.
After all, that next great talent we are all so desperately waiting for
might just be you!
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