We don’t ask this but we usually hope so.
And of course there are easy parts…lunch, driving to the studio, sitting on the bus or plane, replying to some emails, signing some merch, putting the guitar back in the case.
But I think what we really mean is, ‘I hope this current hard part suddenly gets easy’. Probably not happening.
That’s why it’s important to appreciate the easy parts.
If you’re a surgeon or an astronaut it’s important to get qualified prior to doing surgery or flying into space.
But for artists and creators, you get qualified WHILE you’re doing the thing you want to be qualified in. It’s why ‘I’m a musician’ can mean so many crazy things. But the good part about it is you don’t have to wait for a certificate or a test to pass. You qualify for qualifying right now.
Most people want a great time way more than they want great musicians.
Yes, it helps to have great musicians in order to arrive at a good time…but by no means is it necessary. Why do (some) bad bands draw a big crowd? Because they understand this concept.
People want a show, a thrill, a chorus, a lead singer, a vibe, a story, some attitude, an arc, something worth talking about.
Why are people gonna be glad they saw your show?
And whatever your answer is, rehearse it, grow it, feed into it, make it the main thing.
Three phases…I’m not sure they always go in order and there’s plenty of overlap along the way…
Making it…starting out you wanna make it. Make it big. To the top. Toppermost of the poppermost. It’s all about hype and glitz and leather boots and wearing sunglasses inside and being so cool it hurts. It’s all about being somebody everywhere you go…and you go everywhere.
Making something great…the realization that you’d trade all the cool in the world for a great song, a great offering that will lift you and the world around you. Magic is cooler than cool. Whatever it takes to make the people laugh and cry and pump their fist. Take the sunglasses off, let the people see into your soul.
Making…creativity is the gift. The feeling you get when you make the thing, that’s what music is for. Starting with nothing and ending up with something. Creation. A miracle. And making with others is a binding force that lasts forever…connecting with others through creativity…in real time.
Every player riding the bench who gets in for a couple minutes at the end of the game use to be the player playing all the minutes in high school.
College coaches don’t go recruiting kids who did well playing two minutes each game in high school. They aren’t looking for two minute players…and there’s not a group of basketball players who from an early age specialize in playing two minutes each game…even though there are plenty of players who play only a few minutes per game.
Rather...you train as though you’re going to play all the minutes all the time. So you’re ready for the maximum, even if you end up playing the minimum. Coaches want two minute players who can play the whole game.
The two best precursors to playing for two minutes…
Prepare like you’re playing all forty
Play really well when you get in for one
The coach stays intense and focused the entire game…but the players ebb and flow. The players get frustrated and dejected and let the emotion of the moment cloud their actions.
Why?
Experience counts. It helps declutter the moment when you’ve gone through a bunch of moments kinda like this one.
College basketball players are young and easily swayed by circumstances. Coaches are older and their strength and zeal isn’t as tethered to circumstances.
»» This is why as players retire after their pro careers they say ‘Mentally I’m stronger than ever but I just can’t quite move like I used to’. If only the young could have the wisdom of the old.
Like the Faces song…I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger.