Three Legs of Musicianship --- Play Well With Others

Being an artist is a lifelong passion and requires different inputs to mature. Similar to advancing through our educational system, an artist can choose to remain at:

• Grade school level --- choosing an instrument and starting lessons
• High school level --- years of training and steady advancement to more difficult pieces and genres
• College --- performing in front of an audience and playing with others
• Advanced degrees --- attaining personal musical goals and sharing it with others 

All require perseverence, determination and letting go of inhibitions.

There are three important components:

• Practice! Practice! Practice
• Proper instruction and influences
• Public performance and playing with others

Although everyone might not require private lessons, every artist must practice. Growth cannot start or flourish without making lots of mistakes and discovering the right way to achieve a particular sound.

Proper instruction and influences are important. If this is a teacher, it is important that the teacher is taking your personal interests and skill level into account. They should be looking for pieces that will keep you challenged and engaged while allowing you to enjoy your progress. Influences include being part of the art world, spending time with other musicians/artists and reading about art. Immerse yourself in it.

Public performance and playing with others is imperative to becoming an experienced musician. You must make yourself vulnerable, and performing in public or playing with others will do just that. If you are not doing this, start making a plan. Here are some suggestions:

• If you are taking lessons
• Ask your teacher about other students that may be willing to tackle a duet with you
• Approach other students to meet and jam
• Visit an open mic and return to perform
• East River Folk Society (2nd Saturday of every month)
• Tongue's Coffee House (Monday evening)
• If you have some experience, join a local group
• Southern Great Lakes Symphony
• Downriver Community Band
• Church worship team or choir

Put your pride and ego aside and accept the challenge. We all get nervous and have our self doubt, but as in other situations, you have to work through it for the prize. This is a natural progression for musicians, and it is never too early to start.

If you have any comments on this article or the importance of performing, please share with us.

Peace,

Annette DeMaggio

Songs of Joy

www.songsofjoymi.com