Did you write anything today? Lyrics? Music? Art? Video? I like to challenge myself every day to make something new that did not exist yesterday (not including what I write here in the Blog ;-). Maybe it’s just a new mix of something I already wrote. Maybe I did not finish that mix to the level I like but I probably learned something from trying and next time I come back to it I know I can do it better (that counts as something new, see how this works?).
Someone I knew years ago said “if nobody hears your music it’s like it didn’t exist”. We disagreed about a lot of things and that mean-spirited statement was like throwing down the gauntlet which caused me to change course. I stepped up guitar practice, put together a three piece blues band in which I sang most of the lead vocals and had to carry all the guitar. Playing three piece was a great challenge and while we did not set the world on fire I proved to myself I could do it and I learned a lot of new licks, tricks and techniques.
Ultimately I got very tired of playing other people’s music so I had to step up my own creating. I found an amazing guitar teacher who opened my mind to so many musical ideas. It was like a rebirth into why I love music, listening to it, playing it and creating it. I highly recommend playing with someone who is a lot better than you so you can learn from them (or their mistakes).
I thought getting old might slow me down but this past year has delivered some of my best work to date. Through this blog I’ve met the best musicians and creative people EVER! I still love mixing outside the box. I wish I could make computer mixing inside-the-box work but it’s just not my thing. I’m spoiled from all my years of analog and guess what, more people are hearing it than ever. Today my tape decks are replaced with digital recorders but the basic work flow is still the same as it was back in 1976, the tracks feed into my mixing desk, I add reverbs and echoes, I adjust the faders and I usually do the last fade out manually.
Currently I’ve fallen behind in mastering tracks but I’ll just have to push harder and get the next batch wrapped up and shipped out to the distributor. That does not happen by sitting around posting on forums or Facebook, it only happens when I push extra hard and make it happen.
Last June my musical creative partner helped me bring the Mark King Radio web site to life and since then we’ve clocked 10s of thousands of hits and plays. That’s people listening to the tunes. No more wondering if anyone is hearing, the logs don’t lie, they’re brutally honest. No big money, no fame but the satisfaction of people hearing my musical ideas is a solid reward and it keeps growing slowly and more important, steadily.
My words for you are the same as always, YOU CAN DO IT!
It probably won’t happen over night LOL. There might be some odd twists and turns along the way but one thing is for sure, it won’t happen if you don’t try.
So start creating. Every piece does not have to be great but just doing it helps you get a rhythm going. Challenge yourself to create something every day. Challenge yourself to figure out how to keep track of all the stuff you’re going to make this coming year.
Don’t do it because you are seeking stardom, do it because it’s a reflection of you, a mirror of what you’re capable of. Working on your creations just a few minutes a day can make a big difference. Wishing you great success in your creative adventures.
Good Music To You!
Mark
