I know lots of people will disagree with me here, but I think that when you really get into someone’s music, a band or a solo artist, you make a connection with the perceived persona behind the music.
This applies more to being “into” an artist that just enjoying a single song for what it is. I’m talking about when you feel that a certain band or musician represents something that you identify strongly with.
If you intend to be a creative musician, it’s worth taking a look at what you like in your big, all-time favourites.
Chances are that they represent something deeply valuable to you, an attitude, a point of view, a way of living. Whatever it is there’ll be something that connects with you deep inside.
The next step is to be an interesting artist – don’t cut yourself off from what you do (unless you have good reason to!). When people hear your music, and it resonates with them they will probably develop a mild, flippant interest in who you are.
If, upon investigating you, they find someone who seems boring what do you think they’ll do? Don’t mistake this with being withdrawn, or shy or mysterious I’m talking about having a webpage where you say “HERE’S SOME OF MY STUFF, IT’S NOT FINISHED BUT LET ME KNOW WHATYA THINK AND I MIGHT DO SOME MORE LOL”
Where’s the intrigue, mystery and majesty there? Who would want to get to know this person?
Make Better Music is updated every Tuesday.
Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
David Learnt composition (harmony, counterpoint and orchestration) to degree level through studying Schoenbergs Fundamentals of Musical Composition, the classic text on twentieth century harmony by Vincent Persichetti, Henry Mancini’s Sounds and Scores, Rimsky-Korsakov’s excellent books on orchestration as well as studying any scores that intrigued me. He is a founder member of two bands, avant pop duo Cnut, and orchestral doombience outfit Regolith, and have performed across Europe with them.
