For the longest time, I really struggled when I encountered work from people who I perceived were farther down the path than I was.
They were more established, more accomplished, and more polished. Seeing their stuff made me want to not even bother.
Stage One was just that -- not bothering. Sadly slipping back into my cave like Puff the Magic Dragon.
Read MoreI recently started a new project. I’m not ready to talk about it publicly, but message me and I’ll share.
In this new project, I’m facing all of the terrible and uncomfortable thoughts and emotions.
You know the ones. Questions like: What if this is a waste of time? What if I look stupid? What if I do it wrong?
Read MoreWhen I was a freshman in college, my vocal instructor was about to accompany me on one of the Schubert Lieder when he suddenly turned around and asked me how old I was.
“Nineteen,” I said.
"When Franz Schubert was nineteen, he’d already written a hundred songs,” said my instructor pointedly. “How many songs have you written?” He lifted an eyebrow and gave a self-satisfied smile, then commenced the tune without waiting for an answer.
Read MoreI once interviewed a young guitarist who wanted to get into teaching music lessons. He was applying for a position at my music school.
In the interview, he expressed a desire to work only with students who practice.
I understood his perspective. He had recently finished his degree in classical guitar, and took his craft very seriously. It wasn’t unreasonable that he wanted to surround himself with those who aspired to do the same.
Read MoreAs a freshman voice student, I was in trouble: I was supposed to sing opera, which I was terrible at.
My first teacher was an older man with a brisk, condescending demeanor. Our lessons together were bearable, but something was missing. By January or so, I didn’t feel that I had made a lot of improvement, and I’m sure he felt the same way.
One day, I asked him, “Do you believe that anyone can learn to sing?”
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