4 overlooked ways to become a better musician

This is a guest post by TEAM, a music licensing and education company 

Being a musician is more than just playing an instrument or releasing music. It's about perfecting your craft, studying the greats, and constantly striving to become better. And depending on your goals, it may also be about how to build a money-making business around your music and cracking the code to getting your music heard by more people.

If you're looking to take your musical career to the next level, here are four overlooked ways to become a better musician:

1. Intentional personal development

Are you experiencing any of these issues?

• Distractions pulling your focus away from what you are doing 
• Feeling exhausted
• Repeating the same mistakes over and over
• Not able to persist on an action until it’s truly done 
• Allowing others to pull you down
• And ultimately — giving up

Life as an indie musician is not always the easiest path to take. One important and often overlooked way to becoming a better musician is being intentional about becoming a better person. This includes building resilience and letting go of bad habits that aren’t helping you reach your goals. 

Approach your personal development and growth as a practice, just as you would with Yoga, Dance or practicing your instrument. The more you work on yourself, and the beginning of your “assembly line,” the faster you will see results - and the better you will feel about yourself and the people around you.

2. Apply “Life is a group activity” by being part of a community

No musician is an island. In order to really thrive, you need to be part of a supportive group that will help you grow and develop your skills. This could be a band, an orchestra, or even just a group of fellow musician or producer friends who are all passionate about growing their careers. 

Don’t overlook teammates focused on the business side of the music industry, as well. Surround yourself with people that have a variety of know-how who will inspire you and push you to be better.

3. Be eloquent in all communications

Having great music is not the be all and end all in setting yourself up for success. How you treat people, how you communicate to people and how you present yourself—both in person and via emails, posts, blogs, texts—makes a huge difference in increasing your odds of success even more. 

When you’re composing a text or email message to someone, aim to create a MASTERPIECE communication. People will never forget you when you craft communication that leaves them feeling cared for and acknowledged. This can be such a missing element in our society at this time that whenever you go out of your way to care for someone by being eloquent in your written and verbal communications, the person at the other end of your communication is going to feel very good about themselves and about you.

4. Network by helping another human being

One of the most important aspects of being a successful musician is networking. However, it's not enough simply to know the right people—you must also be able to build genuine relationships with them. 

Instead of thinking about what you can get from someone, focus on what you can give. Consider very carefully what that person needs and wants, and what it is that you can do for them (ask them, if you have the opportunity to do so!). Then, proceed to simply help another human being. This is a tried and true way to build authentic relationships that can benefit you both down the line.

Bonus: Free Webinar

On Tuesday October 11th at 1pm EST (10 am PDT), TEAM are going to show you a new approach to success in music, and in life, in a live online workshop.

SIGN UP FREE FOR THE WEBINAR
 

The secret to getting your music heard by more people

See how TEAM helps you focus on yourself, your strengths and your skills as a producer, engineer, songwriter and composer. Get the guidance you are looking for to move your music career forward.

The total TEAM process - Your music assembly line to success

Here are the steps TEAM will be explaining:

1. Observe vice watch
2. Leverage music theory
3. Tap into revolutionary music production techniques
4. Apply "Life is a group activity" by being part of a community
5. Be eloquent in all communications 
6. Network by helping another human being
7. Become a music business ninja 
8. Conquer social media 
9. Practice perfection by doing re-records
10. Shop for lucrative licensing deals and CLOSE those deals

Sign up for the FREE live event and TEAM will show you exactly how to create a masterpiece recording on every project and do it in record time, and know exactly what to do with that recording to GET HEARD, make money, and get your music licensed.