Music 3-dom

Music Industry Rule No. 3: Age restrictions apply.

Music Differently Idea No. 3: Age Aint Nothing But A Number.

At the age of 17, I was visiting family friends in Denver, Colorado, where I met a session musician/vocalist who had been working in and around the music industry for at least two decades. For the sake of the blog, let’s call her Britney.

When I told Britney that I was really getting into music and was thinking about taking up a musical instrument, she introduced me to my first music industry rule – although number 3 on my blog. “You’re too old,” said Britney, “If you haven’t done it by now, you never will.”

I was shocked, to say the least, and spent quite some time reflecting on her statement. When I got back home, I defiantly picked up my Dad’s old bass guitar, a beautiful 1962 Re-issue Fender Jazz, and started to teach myself various Pink Floyd, Beatles and Crowded House songs.

Just 2 months later I was in my very first band, jamming on ‘Another Brick in the Wall Part 2’.

When I decided that I wanted to start writing my own songs, I moved from playing bass to the acoustic guitar. I can’t remember how much I practiced the bass, but I do remember that after I switched to the acoustic guitar, I never went anywhere without it. I never knew when inspiration might strike. And, if I had any spare time, I was either learning to play someone else’s song or working on one of my own.

Since then, I’ve played guitar live at killer venues around the world for well known artists; I’ve also written songs with and for internationally known artists; and I’ve written and recorded my band’s first self-funded debut album, which is currently being mixed at Real World Studios in Wiltshire.

I’ll share more about those experiences in future blogs, but for now you should check out samples of my band, Lynfield’s first album at www.myspace.com/lynfield. And check out some of the music I’ve written with and for other artists at www.imdavidhart.com.

You’re never too old for music. Blues Singer Sea Sick Steve was discovered in his 50s or something! However, you’ll need to be prepared to dedicate a lot of time to the craft of your choice – and realize you many not make millions.

(See Music Differently Idea No. 4)

Complete 'Number 2'

Music Industry Rule No. 2: You must obey all music industry rules.

Music Differently Idea No. 2: You Can Go Your Own Way.

I may not advise someone who has just signed a record deal to cross their label; but if you’re still un-signed, you get to make up the rules.

The truth is that the music industry as we know it – a corporation owned and run by a bunch of left-brained accountants, following a specific formula, working towards a strict bottom line – has only existed for about 50 years, after radio and television helped turn individuals into consumers, and MTV helped create ‘super stars’.

Music existed long before the invention of the corporation; and more recent inventions like facebook, myspace and itunes might ensure that music continues to exist long after the demise of the modern music industry.

So, be creative, without the fears and pressures imposed upon you by the music industry at every turn. Do music differently.

Music without the Industry 1

Music Industry Rule No. 1: You cannot do music without the music industry.

Music Differently Idea No. 1: Why Not?

In life, you will often be presented with only two options for any decisions you’d like to make. You can boil down those options to their essence and end up with something like:

“It’s my way or the highway.”

“Love it or leave it.”

“There’s a right way and a wrong way.”

The music industry avidly promotes this illusion. There is a right way to do music. Every other way of doing music is therefore wrong and illegitimate. And it seems that everyone has bought into the lie. Whenever I tell someone about my band, Lynfield, one of their first questions is inevitably, “Are you ‘signed’?” You see, if I say, “Yes,” then my music is legitimate, it is ‘right’ and ‘good’. When I must inevitably say, “No,” the listener becomes cynical. Maybe my music is ‘wrong’?

This feeds right into Music Industry Rule No. 1. The most important rule within the music industry is that you cannot do music without the music industry. And everyone believes it. Or so it seems.

I have been doing music differently – that is, without the music industry. Reflecting on what I have accomplished, I have finally decided to stop feeling bad about doing music the ‘wrong’ way.

In this blog, I will share with you my personal journey toward doing music differently. I will share with you some music industry rules I uncovered along the way and how I’ve managed to reject them in forging my own path. I will, however, also share with you some music industry wisdom and how you might use it to further your own music goals.

I would love to hear your feedback, so leave comments everywhere.