The industry exists because music is a powerful tool to steer and shape the culture of people, not because of a person's talent. I gave up the dream of "making it" in music. The more I learned about the way the business works, the more I withdrew from it. Great video!
*Facts. The casuals/normies will relate to feelings more so than talent. It's how the world works. So as long as you can make the audience feel good, you'll have a successful career. And this applies to every profession.*
It can be dog eat dog in the music world. There are many people playing instruments that have narcissistic personality disorder; it's all because the limelight brings in people who need approval to survive and they will stop at nothing to get it.
Excellent topic and very well said, Terence. I was a guitarist mainly doing blues for well over 40 years. One band I was in was together for almost 20 years. We gigged most weekends and we were happy with that. All of us had regular day jobs, mine was in aerospace business mgmt. Yes, it would have been nice to become well known in music however it's really harder than one thinks!! All your points here are VASTLY important if your goal is to make it solely in music. My day gig allowed me to work with some of the brightest engineers that ever lived. As it turned out, I really never missed not making it in the music industry. Everyone needs to find their niche. 🙂🙂
In the 1980s, mediocre punk bands got recording deals. It wasn't about their talent. There was a fan base attracted to the rebellious aura of the punk scene. If you knew the right people, and if you could convincingly project that attitude without looking phony, you had a chance at success. Know your audience.
Rule Numbre One: If you're on stage for any other reason than you like playing music in a live setting, you're in the wrong place. 99.99999999% of aspiring musicians barely make enough money to pay for their gear. Many very good musicians and songwriters never achieve recognition in their lifetimes (Vincent Van Gogh never sold a painting in his life. Now each one is worth many millions). So, play because you enjoy playing. Then you won't be disappointed.
@@WoockerSocket I was at a jam once where a guitarist showed up with his pedal board, close to three feet square, and loaded with twenty or so pedals. There were all connected, but apparently one of them was not functioning properly, and the whole mess was not working. Forty-five minutes later... I was at a BB King concert. He had his guitar and his amp. You would think guitarists would come to realize that simpler is often better. I guess they read too many guitar player magazines, and they're all about "pedals" and "cutting through". In my band I told the guitarist not to worry about cutting through. When it was time for the guitar solo, I'd quiet the rest of the band to make a sonic space. Such a simple idea...
@@jukesjointOG Well, I guess Phil Spector did okay with his "wall of sound", but even he used dynamics. One of the things I learned over the years is if you want the audience to listen to you, speak, and play quietly, but clearly. It's funny how that works. In any case, dynamics is for the audience. They like it. They don't tire so fast. On the other hand, there's a time and a place for everything, so go ahead and shred. 10 million amateur guitar players can't be wrong.
@@throckmortensnivel2850 Lol, I hope you know I was being facetious. I have heard audible gasps from the audience when breaking the band down with a group of musicians who actually know what they’re doing. A chorus or two of quiet soloing prior to kicking it into turbo, or even a great fade out ending are still impressive.
You're 100% spot on. In the 90s I was the most working musician in my region, and it's because I had the talent and versatility to get almost any type of gig, including fill-ins, my own band and solo work. These days it's whole different game. I have the same skills, but I have to be more than that to get the gigs. Sad but true.
It just means that she is in a wrong competition. The competition is not about the talents. Its about the marketing. The talent word from the competition is just a misnomer. Because the truth is not about the talent. It should be marketing. American got marketing show. That should be the title of the show.
It's good to keep up with the new styles of music, but the money shows i.e. corporate and private events tend to pay more for older music. At least, that is my experience. In order for the church players, I know, to make money, they have to conform to the above and play the songs correctly. They usually seek impress other musicians. The common audience still likes good songs.
It’s the difference between people who like pop music etc and Rock music imo. Most people into popular music watch those shitty shows and care about the stories etc. It’s not just about the music. In fact, I reckon some artists get votes just on their stories and like-ability etc. But people into Rock music don’t care about any of that crap. They couldn’t care less about what you look like etc. It’s all about the talent, the music etc.
Thank you for this explanation. I'm not a musician but I always had this question in my mind. Why these extremely talented gospel singers, or that friend of mine(we all have that friend) who sing perfectly, is not selling disks and get rich? On the other hand the Autotune merchants are making millions. Now I understood 😮 Keep it up 🎉
Another thing to consider, is relocating. Certain places are more likely to be receptive to your music. Music talent scouts tend to trawl the same few areas to look for new talent. Jimi Hendrix relocated to London. It kick started his career. Chrissie Hind was living in Paris when punk first hit, she high tailed it back to London, because she was aware that something was happening there. Iggy Pop was resurrected by meeting David Bowie and moving to Berlin to work with him. A lot of early American punk bands in the mid seventies, moved to New York, because there was a pool of like-minded people there. It's not just that talent scouts and fans were there. Band members could meet people from other bands and learn new things, conversley, you might be doing something that the local bands might not be familiar with, so your stock as a musician will rise. Different scenes have different epicentres, depending on the time, it has been places like Nashville, Seattle, London, New York, L.A. Detroit, San Francisco. Although the internet has made this less important now, it could still be a factor.
What you just illustrated is that the tv shows such as The American Idols, The Voice and etc … are all “rigged and bogus as a wooden nickel”. As a talented musician/ artist, if you want to succeed professionally, focus on producing and selling your own music independently while using these bogus tv shows as “marketing tools” and not as your “make it or break it opportunity”. Dedicate a minimum of 7 years to promoting and selling your own music independently.
I honestly don't care about fame and recognition. I just want to be able to make music for a living lol. It's all I want to do with my time. Any other use of my time seems like such a waste to me. That being said, I'll never sacrifice the music for the money. I'd rather work myself into the ground at a job I hate than make garbage for a few bucks
You want to make a living playing music, but you only want to play what you like to play. Not going to happen. To earn money, you need to fill a need, not indulge yourself.
absolute fact: the only people who can just coast are the people who never want to go further than they are right now. also fact: TV talent shows are the modern version of bars letting you play "for exposure"
I've seen so many 'local' bands be successful who aren't really that good. Yet tons of really talented musicians are unknown. The difference: the talented ones I know just stay at home waiting for someone to knock, and nobody does. I know a guy who is a great songwriter and his way of getting gigs is to wait till someone asks. So he averages one or two a year, often for no money. Whereas folks around him are gigging regularly, and have half is talented ... cause they go out there, convincing folks to book their band. Sadly, this guy I give the example of ... every time he has an opportunity he jumps like a 5 year old, rushes out, and often the result isn't really that great. He blows his load fast and then keeps wondering why other gigs aren't coming. Cause yes, his friend got him a gig, but he wasn't thinking about attracting strangers.
Thanks for sharing as a musician you need to change and adapt quickly to the changing music world environment and no matter how talented you are, you will be left behind if you don't change and adapt to the new future generation playing styles.
surely you can't be that good if you don't even make it to the second round of american idol. and about that beautiful girl, did you warn her when you got suspicious about this "reality show" guy? and i don't think your back story matters a lot, neither taylor swift or dua lipa seems to have a heart breaking history. and your 92% is probably more like 99.9 %.
That's why most modern pop ect music sucks and metal/rock ect music all ways has had more soul emotionally to it take corey taylor for example that dudes a legend one of the biggest names in metal ect but he bleed dead for it put to his entire soul life into his craft and thru his vulnerability millions have found strength to survive there own hardships like me that's a real artist not some cuck used as a marketing tool for number pushers
Hmm, that's interesting! So, talent stand on its own? In that case, you can be this most unprofessional person on earth. You can not respect others and treat them horribly. You can steal from people, have a bad attitude, not keep your word, etc... but as long as you are talented, you can be successful???
@@TerenceFisher1 i’ve seen situations in studios, where a musician is so talented and so wanted he will get double union wages, and still complain about not validating his parking
fortunately, the world of music is huge, and no needs for everyone to crimb on the top. P.S. Those who are inquisitive, listen the lyrics of the Song "Синяя Птица" (Blue Bird) of Soviet/Russian rock band Time Machine (Машина Времени) about the Bird of Luck - that's what it is👌
Integrity, is what you have when you STUDY and expand your musical knowledge! Other than that is very superficial and based on others opinion of you. You can be popular and successful, OR you can be proficient on your instrument,……. Which priority do you have?
Who is your father and mother, where do they work has alot to do with who gets a record contract . It's called Nepotism. I have been a working musician for over 50 yeaes.
I completely agree, regrettably, the entire structure of the "music industry" in it's current form, holds uniqueness & talent with borderline contempt. Not to say that there is no good music out there, but it's a lot of work to hear something different these days. I thing independent music, has a chance (illustrating exactly what you are talking about) to break this financial model. This is not just the music industry, it's a "cultural imperative" now. Music can be used to touch our souls and lift them (emotionally impactful), that kind of talent is always going to be within our power as humans. The sadness come when I think about how generic everything sounds these days. When our hearts & souls are touched by music, there is simply no way to appropriately monetize that (imhx), those who have those "souls" really don't think like that. This is the sad truth. If you're goal is to be successful, my advice is to sound like what the "industry" wants you to sound like, PLUS all T's advice. thanks for sharing your thoughts, we appreciate it~!
Nice vid Most of the people in Music are related and connected so if youa re outside od that its gonna be damn near impossible and the reason why so many that are popular are nor talented its all about trends that is why music is so bad now- In addition, music in the 60's and 70s was great because you have to be good not about who you were related to
That’s why I still play in bands and live all the time and I always tell the band I don’t take money for playing .. I refuse to be paid for playing music ! I’m an outlier I guess
I would agree to a certain extent...but I listened to a song on UA-cam recently which had 3.5 billion views, yet it sounded exactly like some pop tune from dancing stage PlayStation games from early 2000s.
The industry exists because music is a powerful tool to steer and shape the culture of people, not because of a person's talent. I gave up the dream of "making it" in music. The more I learned about the way the business works, the more I withdrew from it. Great video!
Dude this is the greatest podcast about any musical topic, you should have named it, "Psychology of Musicians." Thanks
*Facts. The casuals/normies will relate to feelings more so than talent. It's how the world works. So as long as you can make the audience feel good, you'll have a successful career. And this applies to every profession.*
It can be dog eat dog in the music world. There are many people playing instruments that have narcissistic personality disorder; it's all because the limelight brings in people who need approval to survive and they will stop at nothing to get it.
Who eats dogs? 🙂
@@azmike3572 Musicians.
Excellent topic and very well said, Terence. I was a guitarist mainly doing blues for well over 40 years. One band I was in was together for almost 20 years. We gigged most weekends and we were happy with that. All of us had regular day jobs, mine was in aerospace business mgmt. Yes, it would have been nice to become well known in music however it's really harder than one thinks!! All your points here are VASTLY important if your goal is to make it solely in music. My day gig allowed me to work with some of the brightest engineers that ever lived. As it turned out, I really never missed not making it in the music industry. Everyone needs to find their niche. 🙂🙂
To be a musician, talent is everything, (Session player). To be an entertainer in the music business 92% have it wrong.
People never listen to music , they listen to brands . Your music will sell as long as it is attached to something popular that people relate to .
In the 1980s, mediocre punk bands got recording deals. It wasn't about their talent. There was a fan base attracted to the rebellious aura of the punk scene. If you knew the right people, and if you could convincingly project that attitude without looking phony, you had a chance at success. Know your audience.
I’d rather listen to mediocre punk bands all day long then a cover band
Someone should tell this to jazz bands.
Rule Numbre One: If you're on stage for any other reason than you like playing music in a live setting, you're in the wrong place. 99.99999999% of aspiring musicians barely make enough money to pay for their gear. Many very good musicians and songwriters never achieve recognition in their lifetimes (Vincent Van Gogh never sold a painting in his life. Now each one is worth many millions). So, play because you enjoy playing. Then you won't be disappointed.
also aspiring musicians: own 1200 guitars and 500 pedals
@@WoockerSocket I was at a jam once where a guitarist showed up with his pedal board, close to three feet square, and loaded with twenty or so pedals. There were all connected, but apparently one of them was not functioning properly, and the whole mess was not working. Forty-five minutes later...
I was at a BB King concert. He had his guitar and his amp. You would think guitarists would come to realize that simpler is often better. I guess they read too many guitar player magazines, and they're all about "pedals" and "cutting through". In my band I told the guitarist not to worry about cutting through. When it was time for the guitar solo, I'd quiet the rest of the band to make a sonic space. Such a simple idea...
@@throckmortensnivel2850 Dynamics? That’s so boomer, bruh… ;)
@@jukesjointOG Well, I guess Phil Spector did okay with his "wall of sound", but even he used dynamics. One of the things I learned over the years is if you want the audience to listen to you, speak, and play quietly, but clearly. It's funny how that works. In any case, dynamics is for the audience. They like it. They don't tire so fast. On the other hand, there's a time and a place for everything, so go ahead and shred. 10 million amateur guitar players can't be wrong.
@@throckmortensnivel2850 Lol, I hope you know I was being facetious. I have heard audible gasps from the audience when breaking the band down with a group of musicians who actually know what they’re doing. A chorus or two of quiet soloing prior to kicking it into turbo, or even a great fade out ending are still impressive.
"Raw talent is not enough. You should always get some formal training." - Billy Joel
" I have no formal training and am illiterate in the area of musical theory " - Sade .
@@ericanderson7059 Paul McCartney didn't have formal training, but he learned a lot from G. Martian and other musicians.
Thanks for this Terence. Your videos are always on point. Turning down gigs and opportunities that dont lead anywhere is a part of the journey too!
You're 100% spot on. In the 90s I was the most working musician in my region, and it's because I had the talent and versatility to get almost any type of gig, including fill-ins, my own band and solo work.
These days it's whole different game. I have the same skills, but I have to be more than that to get the gigs. Sad but true.
It just means that she is in a wrong competition. The competition is not about the talents. Its about the marketing. The talent word from the competition is just a misnomer. Because the truth is not about the talent. It should be marketing. American got marketing show. That should be the title of the show.
It's good to keep up with the new styles of music, but the money shows i.e. corporate and private events tend to pay more for older music. At least, that is my experience. In order for the church players, I know, to make money, they have to conform to the above and play the songs correctly. They usually seek impress other musicians. The common audience still likes good songs.
Spot On! I’ve had this same conversation several times over.
Thanks again! Great advice …
THANK YOU FOR THE CLASS!
Sucess in any sort of pursuit requires adaptability.
And the pursuant should be able to define success for themselves.
It’s the difference between people who like pop music etc and Rock music imo. Most people into popular music watch those shitty shows and care about the stories etc. It’s not just about the music. In fact, I reckon some artists get votes just on their stories and like-ability etc. But people into Rock music don’t care about any of that crap. They couldn’t care less about what you look like etc. It’s all about the talent, the music etc.
You are totally wrong
Thank you for this explanation. I'm not a musician but I always had this question in my mind.
Why these extremely talented gospel singers, or that friend of mine(we all have that friend) who sing perfectly, is not selling disks and get rich?
On the other hand the Autotune merchants are making millions.
Now I understood 😮
Keep it up 🎉
Another thing to consider, is relocating. Certain places are more likely to be receptive to your music. Music talent scouts tend to trawl the same few areas to look for new talent.
Jimi Hendrix relocated to London. It kick started his career. Chrissie Hind was living in Paris when punk first hit, she high tailed it back to London, because she was aware that something was happening there. Iggy Pop was resurrected by meeting David Bowie and moving to Berlin to work with him.
A lot of early American punk bands in the mid seventies, moved to New York, because there was a pool of like-minded people there. It's not just that talent scouts and fans were there. Band members could meet people from other bands and learn new things, conversley, you might be doing something that the local bands might not be familiar with, so your stock as a musician will rise.
Different scenes have different epicentres, depending on the time, it has been places like Nashville, Seattle, London, New York, L.A. Detroit, San Francisco. Although the internet has made this less important now, it could still be a factor.
Very informal and insightful! Thank you 🙏🏾
What you just illustrated is that the tv shows such as The American Idols, The Voice and etc … are all “rigged and bogus as a wooden nickel”.
As a talented musician/ artist, if you want to succeed professionally, focus on producing and selling your own music independently while using these bogus tv shows as “marketing tools” and not as your “make it or break it opportunity”.
Dedicate a minimum of 7 years to promoting and selling your own music independently.
Right time, right place, and whole lot luck getting those two together
Can verify, I have a blast playing live and being in a band but we spend a ton more than anything we ever get back (if anything!)
I honestly don't care about fame and recognition. I just want to be able to make music for a living lol. It's all I want to do with my time. Any other use of my time seems like such a waste to me.
That being said, I'll never sacrifice the music for the money. I'd rather work myself into the ground at a job I hate than make garbage for a few bucks
You want to make a living playing music, but you only want to play what you like to play. Not going to happen. To earn money, you need to fill a need, not indulge yourself.
My advice is to go play on the Street you will always be a success compared to all the other bums playing on the street yeah
absolute fact: the only people who can just coast are the people who never want to go further than they are right now.
also fact: TV talent shows are the modern version of bars letting you play "for exposure"
great video!
Amazing advice!
I've seen so many 'local' bands be successful who aren't really that good. Yet tons of really talented musicians are unknown. The difference: the talented ones I know just stay at home waiting for someone to knock, and nobody does. I know a guy who is a great songwriter and his way of getting gigs is to wait till someone asks. So he averages one or two a year, often for no money. Whereas folks around him are gigging regularly, and have half is talented ... cause they go out there, convincing folks to book their band. Sadly, this guy I give the example of ... every time he has an opportunity he jumps like a 5 year old, rushes out, and often the result isn't really that great. He blows his load fast and then keeps wondering why other gigs aren't coming. Cause yes, his friend got him a gig, but he wasn't thinking about attracting strangers.
Thanks for sharing as a musician you need to change and adapt quickly to the changing music world environment and no matter how talented you are, you will be left behind if you don't change and adapt to the new future generation playing styles.
Stick to plan, but adapt to change. Uh-huh.
surely you can't be that good if you don't even make it to the second round of american idol. and about that beautiful girl, did you warn her when you got suspicious about this "reality show" guy? and i don't think your back story matters a lot, neither taylor swift or dua lipa seems to have a heart breaking history. and your 92% is probably more like 99.9 %.
I was told this years ago. They mentioned lottery, etc
talent isnt the thing anymore, the selling and marketing is
That's why most modern pop ect music sucks and metal/rock ect music all ways has had more soul emotionally to it take corey taylor for example that dudes a legend one of the biggest names in metal ect but he bleed dead for it put to his entire soul life into his craft and thru his vulnerability millions have found strength to survive there own hardships like me that's a real artist not some cuck used as a marketing tool for number pushers
The best musicians are not in the industry they are low key and on bandcamp or playing local gigs Playing to the fanbase not Big labels or mainstream.
Not sure Im understanding how did she missed an opportunity for festivals and these booking agents ,without a single song release??
From what I’ve seen and heard, apparently.
Nice 🙌
Talent stands on its own, it is timeless. This mindset is weak and of a comformest mentality not about truth and art
Hmm, that's interesting! So, talent stand on its own? In that case, you can be this most unprofessional person on earth. You can not respect others and treat them horribly. You can steal from people, have a bad attitude, not keep your word, etc... but as long as you are talented, you can be successful???
@@TerenceFisher1 unfortunately yes, it’s not a justification it’s just a fact
@@TerenceFisher1 i’ve seen situations in studios, where a musician is so talented and so wanted he will get double union wages, and still complain about not validating his parking
fortunately, the world of music is huge, and no needs for everyone to crimb on the top.
P.S. Those who are inquisitive, listen the lyrics of the Song "Синяя Птица" (Blue Bird) of Soviet/Russian rock band Time Machine (Машина Времени) about the Bird of Luck - that's what it is👌
Why do venues even need bands or solo acts? It's stupid, just put radio on or karaoke
The industry is crap they don’t promote or want good artists they will snub you every time !?
For an industry that’s about using your ears to listen. They are very focused on making you use your eyes too if you get what I mean
Integrity, is what you have when you STUDY and expand your musical knowledge!
Other than that is very superficial and based on others opinion of you. You can be popular and successful, OR you can be proficient on your instrument,……. Which priority do you have?
💯
Dunno..... maybe 91.5% max 😂
Now ?... music is spiritual
Who is your father and mother, where do they work has alot to do with who gets a record contract . It's called Nepotism.
I have been a working musician for over 50 yeaes.
That’s more of a western problem.
I completely agree, regrettably, the entire structure of the "music industry" in it's current form, holds uniqueness & talent with borderline contempt. Not to say that there is no good music out there, but it's a lot of work to hear something different these days.
I thing independent music, has a chance (illustrating exactly what you are talking about) to break this financial model.
This is not just the music industry, it's a "cultural imperative" now. Music can be used to touch our souls and lift them (emotionally impactful), that kind of talent is always going to be within our power as humans. The sadness come when I think about how generic everything sounds these days. When our hearts & souls are touched by music, there is simply no way to appropriately monetize that (imhx), those who have those "souls" really don't think like that. This is the sad truth.
If you're goal is to be successful, my advice is to sound like what the "industry" wants you to sound like, PLUS all T's advice.
thanks for sharing your thoughts, we appreciate it~!
It's very simple... in today's world it's all about sex appeal or a shock Factor! You can throw Talent out the window!
Don't do anything in this world, until u understand everything.
She missed out cause she didn't listen to you..
Nice vid Most of the people in Music are related and connected so if youa re outside od that its gonna be damn near impossible and the reason why so many that are popular are nor talented its all about trends that is why music is so bad now- In addition, music in the 60's and 70s was great because you have to be good not about who you were related to
That’s why I still play in bands and live all the time and I always tell the band I don’t take money for playing .. I refuse to be paid for playing music ! I’m an outlier I guess
Illuminati
I would agree to a certain extent...but I listened to a song on UA-cam recently which had 3.5 billion views, yet it sounded exactly like some pop tune from dancing stage PlayStation games from early 2000s.
A lot of those views are fake, not all of the time…but never 0.