This
is part five of our monthly series of exerpts from Brian's forthcoming book.
The
Three Phases of Self-Development!
The
3 phases of self-development that most successful career artists navigate are
remarkably similar. The first stage is called FREEDOM, because the majority
of people embark on their journey with an abundance of dreams but little skill
to develop them. Therefore, they are not limited by anything other than their
imagination to make a choice as to whether they want to commit to following their
dreams or not. Remember the old saying "ignorance is bliss"? Remember the first
notes you played? The world of music is fresh, exciting - a new land waiting to
be explored. As musicians, we have all struggled to learn how to play our favourite
songs and marvelled at the alchemy that must have been conjured up to write them.
At some point, a fork in the road looms ahead - turn this way, and music is confined
to hobby status. Turn the other way, and the commitment is made to pursue the
fantasy career. |
| However,
if they choose to get to work, they soon realize that the next phase is called
DISCIPLINE. Hard work honing their craft and skill characterizes this phase.
Many are weeded out in the process, but an astounding number persevere. The methodology
could be a series of courses at a recognized institution, private tuition, solitary
hours of self-directed practice, or all three. | 
|
Still,
regardless of the abundance of accessible public examples of excellence available
to everyone to use as aspiration standards, many learn just enough to (it would
seem) make it through an entire song without forgetting a key part, and consider
themselves ready to charge admission! Goaded by the subjective praise and encouragement
of friends and relatives, the potential for developing an irrelevant sense of
accomplishment is dangerously probable.
"Good
enough" is not a universal definition - there are as many interpretations of readiness
as there are fingerprints in the universe. At this point in their development,
only the sanest minds come to the realization that the true test is in achieving
the praise of total strangers, and the highest of all is their willingness to
part with money to experience your creativity again. If in fact they survive this
second phase, they have officially launched the third phase and subsequently,
their potential careers. What
do you think the third phase is called? FREEDOM
(yes, again). Once
one has learned their skills one is free to choose how to apply them to their
intended path. The hours of hard work have resulted in the freedom to express
whatever brilliant flash of creativity explodes in the creator's imagination without
the limitations underdeveloped skill. There is a direct path from the soul to
the listener. One is able to control both the most dramatic and subtle nuances
of expression to make the musical statement understood. This is not to say that
the learning can or should stop, but that the skills have been developed enough
in the discipline phase to jump off a cliff and start flying freely and effectively.
However,
the right career flight path is still in the hands of a mind that may or may not
have progressed past phase one of understanding how the business works!
Brian
Allen has a wealth of experience in the industry as a songwriter, guitar player,
producer, as well as enjoying 15 years heading up the A&R department at Attic
Records. He knows what it takes to be a winner in this industry, in mind, spirit
and in talent. He has over 10 million in career sales notched on his belt and
will be offering up his insight once a month, as a feature contributor to Songbridge,
with excerpts from his forthcoming book.
For more info on AMPLUS Productions,
contact Brian at brianallen@rogers.com
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