I pondered this over the years as most of my work involves
education and I am interested in finding meaning in such a way that I can
explain things from my experience and the experience of others.
I had a very
close-run thing on the success front in the early days with the band fronted by
a singer who was the son of a well-known film star, there was so much gameplay
going on but I was not old enough to spot how to deal with it. I preferred to
believe the people in charge had my best interests at heart; problem was (and
is) in a capitalist system no one has your best interests at heart there is
only pursuit of profit.
Unfortunately that is
the reality, whether that is the production and research into medicines or
whether that is selling your house, no one really has your interest at heart
only the bottom line and as long as the incompetence is not bad enough for
someone to be sued then they get away with it, ask anyone who is buying and
selling a house. As long as we can see this then we can work around it or at
least expect it, so for musicians why does someone what to book you, because
they like you or they expect you to fill the venue?
So you can go along the lines of doing something that
actually helps people to achieve something or realise something. The first
could be teaching them so they reach a certain grade or get to Music College,
the second point is to play for someone’s wedding or birthday or a company’s
event putting over the corporate message. Now these have a defined measurable
outcome (maybe more flexible in the second instance but if people are having
fun then you both win) the point is it is measurable, so that is playing to the
system of transactions. The point is that you are not turning up in the Blues
Brothers style playing Blues in a Country and Western Club. You would be amazed
how many young musicians do not think this through.
Look at how you can cooperate with others may be from
another system so from this perspective music can be used in some form of
training, the people doing the training are from a different mind-set. You can bring
to the mix a perspective developed from performing and skills from teaching. Lessons
learnt from teaching adults can be very valid and insightful in business
because one learns a lot about the inner thoughts and beliefs of ‘mature’
people and teaching teenagers may afford you an insight to how to deal with
problem adults!
The American entrepreneur and business thinker Jay Abraham
used this idea of cross business thinking for his work. A problem in one
business may have been solved in another sector so go and look and see how
other businesses work. In dealing with another system in order to beat your own
could take you into corporate training and teaching an instrument as a metaphor
for learning other skills or using performance abilities in something other
than the standard concert situation.
Remember that systems are created by people and because the
system, whether it is monetary or otherwise is in existence now, does not mean
that it will be in existence in the future. Music historically has always been
on the cutting edge of systems and the economy, going there first, so take your
music somewhere different. The holy grail of the recording contract may not be
of any importance any more at any level for a performer and the degree of no importance
for the educator.
Once upon a time everybody believed in the divine right of
kings…………..
Vic www.bluescampuk.co.uk
play in a rock band learn the secrets .
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