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July 06, 2009
What People Really Want From a Musician – Confidence
Whatever you do as musician, whether it be playing a gig, performing your latest song, playing your latest recording for a friend, showing someone a song in progress, or working with your songwriting partner, allow me to give a piece of friendly advice: NEVER APOLOGIZE OR MAKE EXCUSES.
For example, if you're getting up to perform at an open mic, don't start by announcing that you are just getting over a cold, or by apologizing for the fact that you are not an accomplished guitar player. Just get up there and give it your best.
If you're showing someone a new song, or presenting it to a songwriting group, don't start by trying to explain what the song is about, or by apologizing for the poor quality of the demo. Just do your best beforehand, and play it without comment.
Maybe I'm dropping into “nitpicking mode" here, but there's one other little thing that bugs me: if you're going to play a new song, don't introduce it by saying “I hope you like it.” That phrase makes you sound needy.
Yes, of course you are hoping that your audience will like your song, but if you have confidence in yourself as a writer, if you know that you have put in the necessary effort to really learn the craft, if you have written successful songs in the last, then you KNOW that a certain number of people are going to like your newest creation.
Sure, your song may need further work, and you may be able to determine what to re-work or change depending on the reaction, but you don't need to broadcast your uncertainty.
Although no one may ever say this out loud to you, constantly expressing doubts and apologizing for your work makes people uncomfortable, and they will from that point always think of you as a hesitant performer, and instead of truly connecting with you, will end up feeling a little sorry for you.
Posted by leonolguin at July 6, 2009 11:06 AM