I get asked the question a lot, "Do you have any advise for beginning musicians?"  I always say, "Sure" and give them what I have been priviledged to learn over the years.  But this time I thought I would just write it down so that others can take advantage of my message. 

It doesn't matter what instrument you play (piano, bass, drums, guitar, horns, or other strings); musical excellence is a discipline that can be quite rewarding if you take it seriously.  There are all levels of musicians that play professionally in the world.  In fact, you have a wide range of levels from those musicians that don't have much skill but are making millions of dollars to those that are just AWESOME in skill and technical ability but only play for family and friends.  My point in bringing this fact up is that you have to decide for yourself the musician you want to be and what would make you happy.  This is the number one task.  As a beginner, you have your whole musicial future ahead of you (no matter what age you are). 

Once you have decided what your musical goal is, your approach needs to then fall in line with your goal.  This is VERY IMPORTANT because one of top reasons musicians quite before they reach thier goal is that they get frustrated because they feel that thier chosen path is not in line with thier goal.  Here's an example:  I have a friend who wanted to learn piano because he has always heard great Jazz and Gospel piano players growing up.  He made up in his mind that he would play.  He went out and bought a really nice keyboard and amp.  He purchased books and dvds and even made up a practice schedule.  Then it came time for him to find a teacher.  He looked in the yellow pages and found the first teacher he saw.  After the first lesson, he was already discouraged and didn't have the desire to play.  This was because the teacher, didn't like Jazz or Gospel and totally killed his desire to learn.  Beginning musicians are ESPECIALLY supseptible to discouraging comments.  This is why it is important as a beginning musician to sourround yourself with the people you wish to play like.  Go to concerts and performances.  Hang out with them if they would let you (some musicians can be jerks, but there are A LOT of good hearted musicians out there too.  Find them!!)

Now after you have decided on your musical goal and sorrounded yourself with like-minded musicians, you need to define your musical progression.  In other words, you need to realistically evaluate your personal situation as far as time constraints are concerned and decide how your musical preparation will fit.  I have seen many musicans fall by the way side because they can find no way to fit music into thier daily lives.  It could be for any number of factors ranging from lack of time to opposition from family members.  All I can say is that when I decided to pursue music from an educational level and also increase my own playing ability, I told my wife what my plan was and then shared with her the steps that I needed to take to get there.  I told her that there was going to be A LOT of practice time and work involved.  I then began to see how I could fit it into my life.  Now with me, I have a new son who just turned 1 years old in May 2007.  It is a PRIORITY for me to give him my time even if it's only a couple of hours a day because he is a young man and he needs to be in the company of his father.  It is important to get your family involved in what you are doing.  Let them know what you are after and how they can be a part if they desire.  Cooperation is key to those who are married and or have kids.  You have to think "Outside of the box" in making the time to spend on your craft.  If you are a single parent for instance, you may have your young kids stay at a friend or family member's house while you get some practice time in.  Or you can do like me and build a sound proof practice room in your garage so that when you put the babies to bed, you can practice for an hour or two.  If you are married, you can work with your spouse to watch the kids while your practice and then you return the favor when he/she wants to do something they like.  If you do this, you WILL be able to find the time to fit things in.  There have been times when I would take my son in the practice room with me and let him play around while I practice and my wife sleeps.  It's funny sometimes to see him stand on his tip toes just to press the keys on the keyboard, but he loves it!!  As you go through your schedule, you may also identify those things that are taking up your time but are not really adding value to your life such as playing checkers at the gas station for an hour a day with Ralph and the boys. 

As a beginning musician, you already have the chips against you because it is so easy to quit at this stage.  You are not really playing anything that gives you any encouragement to keep going and the older you are the more things that are out there that can pull you away.  Just remember these important points:

1.   Make up in your mind the kind of musician you want to be.  Set your goal as a musician.

2.   Gear your approach to the type of musician you want to be.  If you want to be a classical pianist, listen to classical piano music and find a teacher who plays classical music well.  Go to concerts and find other musicians in your area that play classical as well. 

3.   Evaluate your schedule and get your family involved in what you are trying to do.  Find the time to fit your practice time in.  Practice is very important and CAN NOT be overlooked.

With that said, I will leave you with one piece of truth.  I have been a musician for 20years, but how many of you know that it doesn't take that long to get REALLY good.  If you follow these steps above, there is NO REASON you can't become a professional musician in 4-5 years.  I dare you to get serious!

Letron "LTrain" Brantley (CEO & Founder)
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