Pretty much anytime you see or hear an interview with a star musician or singer the interviewer will ask - "what advice do you have for young musicians/singers going into music?" Bassist Buster Williams says "choose another field!" Of course Buster Williams laughs after giving that answer, and goes on to give some very sound advice (which I will share later in this blog), but this does bring to light what we tell our music students.
I have students and former students established in the music profession, entering the music profession, and will be soon entering into the music profession. So, what advice do I give? If you are a musician/music teacher what advice do you give? I guest the advice I give is to practice, put forth your best, and protect your reputation. Depending upon the student I probably have much more to say.
In an All About Jazz online article from George Colligan, published August 6, 2013, interview with bassist Buster Williams, he said more than "choose another field!, but gave advice and reasons why someone should pursue music as a career. Williams advises playing music as a career choice for the following reasons:
1. Because you love it.
2. Because you have to.
3. Because it`s the one thing that makes you happy.
4. Because it`s your decision.
In the 2013 documentary, 20 Feet From Stardom, it was mentioned in the doc film that "you have this gift (of music), and you are cursed". We are not cursed, but we have a responsibility to understand our music profession, and genre we participate in as artist. We are participants in the creative economy, and must deal with that reality and work to create opportunities to keep us engage. As jazz musicians (and musicians in general) we are in a feast or famine industry. If you are a jazz musician because of the money, well, good luck. However, if you have chosen music and jazz for the reasons Buster Williams has out-lined, then I welcome you into our profession. That is also my advice.
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