You know, playing music is much more than learning scales and chops. There is a whole other side to playing music that is in your mind and your heart. As a musician, if you create your own personal development plans and follow them, you will be able to do much more than you think you could.
Set goals
This is the first and most important thing. You probably don’t remember, but a year ago today you weren’t playing as well as you are now. Nor had you heard any of the music that has influenced your playing. There were ideas in the universe that you couldn’t even have imagined a year ago today.
So where would you like to be next year on this day? No one gets anywhere without setting goals. Decide what it is you would like to accomplish in the coming year, and then take the steps necessary to achieve it.
But, don’t set unrealistic goals for yourself. This is a real confidence killer. “I want to become proficient on six more orchestral instruments in the next year.” Whoa, put on the brakes for a minute! Think about what you can really do; take steps towards your goal, and each step along the way will be joyful and inspiring. You can do whatever you want, but some things take longer than others.
keep an open mind
Every musician has a subconscious checklist. This checklist says: “I am this” and “I am that.” It also says, “I can do this” and “I can’t do that.”
Everyone can benefit from exploration. Go out and listen to new music that you have never heard before. If you’re a jazz musician, get some hip hop records. What do you like and what don’t you like about them? What is similar and what is different? You’d be surprised how different styles of music blend into something else. Don’t restrict yourself.
If you’re a classical musician, go to the library and check out some CDs of music from somewhere else in the world. If it sounds jarring at first, listen well. Maybe you can bring something unique to your music from a faraway place.
Turn mistakes into learning opportunities
One thing that holds everyone back, musicians or not, is focusing on failure. Repentance is a terrible thing. When you make a mistake, reflect on it. Think about what went wrong and how you can make it better next time.
This is especially important with your performance. When you have a bad show, you just want to go somewhere alone and worry about it. You may want to give up everything and get an office job. But, it is very important not to think of it that way.
Whether you are performing well or performing poorly, reflect. Think about what went right and what went wrong. What got the most response from the audience and what could you skip next time? This is all part of honoring our performance abilities.
Relax and have fun
Every performer has a certain mental zone that they enter before the big show. This helps them play their best and always perform well.
Even after years of acting experience, many people are nervous on stage. In interviews, professional musicians often say that it is. Everyone needs their own technique to relax before the show. If you’re nervous, you just won’t get your best results.
For example, when you play, imagine that you are in your room practicing. In your room, you want to do the best you can for yourself. If you manipulate a note, it is YOU who has to listen to it. Imagine that you are back in your room and do the best you can for yourself.
Cutlets are not everything
Finally, technique is not everything. It’s just a tool that helps you become aware of the sounds you hear in your head. Remember that the heart, energy and soul are equally important.
We all play to the beat of a different drum, so find out what works best for you and make it your personal development plan. In the words of the Beatles, “There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done…”