How badly do you want success?

When discussing musical asperations somebody said 'as long as I was making the kind of music I want to make.'

When I hear statements like this I wonder what that person is doing for their income, because it is rarely, if ever, anything to do with music. Back before the American War of Independence when I was still serious about music I would have worked in any job in any kind of music (that I was capable of!)to earn a living in the music business. I'd have played the penny whistle for the Smurfs, or even roadied for the penny whistle player in the Smurfs - no problem. Damn sight more entertaining that what I was actually doing to put food on the table at the time.

Either you have the desire and love of music in your veins or you don't - statements like 'such-and-such music is rubbish and I don't want to do it' and so on and so forth always struck me as a cop out. It is also the kind of luxury very few people get to exercise in any walk of life.

People who make statements like the above should re-examine their relationship with the music for their own benefit, I don't care, I'll support you as much as I can whatever you say you are ) I'm just asking people to be honest with themselves. :o

Just my tuppence worth on the subject, FWIW.

Being a 'commecial' writer, I have had to adapt to many styles. In retrospect I regret some of the choices I made (ie, I would prefer not have gotten involved). But there was no question of 'only doing music I like'. Simply not on the agenda at all. I still think this constraint might have been a blessing in disguise. Opened my ears to a lot of things.

M http://michael-leahy.indiegroup.com

Rich wrote (after a few sentences I've snipped)

I'm rather of the opinion that a lot of the 'stances' taken about music are the result of a sub-conscious kind of honesty - a realisation that there is never really going to be the success, with or without the effort. The problem for most people is not that of having the realisation, but of admitting it. Strange though, the majority of people would be quite willing to admit very early in their lives that they could never be eg. a brain surgeon, rocket scientist, astronaut, bank president etc. but so many musicians (and actors too) grow old never entirely admitting they aren't ever going to 'make it' as highly paid (or at least potentially highly paid) stars

Just a wry comment BTW - I don't know the true statistics Cheers

Michael wrote :-

Hi Michael,

There's 2 things that struck me about your post, firstly you responded to a thread that mentioned the Smurfs and you in Belgium and the fact you 'regret some of your choices' well, I think that's life anyway.

It strikes me that, supposing I was a 'serious' jazz bassist and I had a choice between playing bass in a country band or telesales I'd go for the country music, it is a compromise but it's all compromise. I have the life of a millionaire, all I need now is the income to go with it ))

Richard

Songwriting & creative links http://www.angelfire.com/music2/richhoncho/index.htm A selection of RMMS people at http://www.angelfire.com/music2/richhoncho/RMMS.htm & 14 of my songs at

Frank wrote :-

You're right, there's always somebody coming along to prove it CAN be done. As somebody who knows how to lay a book I still don't like the odds.

But that's not what I was on about, some people get no chance at the title at all and most only get one shot, so why do some cut the odds before they start?

Richard

Songwriting & creative links http://www.angelfire.com/music2/richhoncho/index.htm A selection of RMMS people at http://www.angelfire.com/music2/richhoncho/RMMS.htm & 14 of my songs at

Rich clarified his question (sorry I didn't get the point without clarification)

My half-baked theory goes like this: Some people want a particular kind of success in the real world, some people only want to fulfil a dream which they call success. Seeking practical success as a thing in itself demands a pragmatic approach, chasing a dream is an altogether less disciplined road which MAY take someone to the same journey's end but can just as easily lead into a trackless wilderness.

Or have I got it all wrong again? ) Cheers Frank

Over 50 'kept' songs from 15 years of hobbying, mostly in styles already retro in 1985 Many on Soundclick - when it's there. I keep some on a small lo-fi AOL site (on RMMS Webring - Thanks Chris!)

Maybe being involved with a certain style just makes some people unhappy. Going after commercial success is cool, but if you're miserable, what does that get you?

I know what you're saying about the bass player dilemna. Again, being based in Belgium, I can give another example. Most musicians violently hate Helmut Lotti, the king of middle of the road popular classics. But his band features some fine players, who (I suspect) use the Lotti gig as a way to finance other activities. So they avoid the telesales/bus-driver option.

I suppose Val Doonican and others must have fulfilled the same role in the UK in the seventies. Personally, I can't knock a guy for earning a buck. With a bit of luck, he can hold on to some dignity and artistic ambition.

M http://michael-leahy.indiegroup.com PS: The Smurfs have sold over 12 million records worldwide, a sobering thought.

I am still fascinated by the fact that the most mega successful of artists seem to say time and again that they play the music 'they' want to write and don't think about commercial considerations. I have gone the other route and tried to write for the masses - and have virtually had no interest in my music at all.

I find writing just for myself to be quite difficult as I have no real particlular type of music I really seem to love to write and - more importantly - I don't like my own music. Does anyone else go through this too?

cheers

Michael,

If I'd written the Smurf stuff I could have afforded to write all the arty-farty , intelligent, deeply meaningful stuff that nobody wants to listen to, to my heart's content )) Although not for the money, if I had written anything like that I think I would prefer it to be 'Macarena' ))))

Not that I would have been sober if I'd written the Smurf stuff

Richard

Songwriting & creative links http://www.angelfire.com/music2/richhoncho/index.htm A selection of RMMS people at

I might fall in the other side of things, i.e. write for myself but no success. I am downloading the top ten in my genre right now. Will try it your way and see what happens.

What do I think? I think if you miss your target you have to change your strategy. Fortunately, you can still keep on writing music. And one further note, I do believe that writing music is a semi-conscious thing and you can't force the issue.

Tim