The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #126273 Message #2804196
Posted By: JedMarum
05-Jan-10 - 02:52 PM
Thread Name: Echoes of Rick Fielding
Subject: Echoes of Rick Fielding
I found this post on a local Craigslist for Dallas TX area musicians. It reminded me right away of the sort of advice Rick Fielding would be giving, except if it were Rick he would be giving it one on one, with practical instructions for acting on the advice!
Anyway - I thought it might spark some discussion here, so I am reposting the text below.
At the risk of sounding arrogant or condescending, I have to repeat some of the thoughts I've seen posted on other threads here at CL.
There are lots of requests posted here by folks who say they are ready to make the breakthrough step to the next levels - and many are, but please; never underestimate the importance of learning your craft, and learning it REALLY WELL.
You can make forward progress in your career while you're still learning (in fact you SHOULD) but know the basics as well as you can! Your intonation is extremely important. Tune your guitar. Always! Sing in pitch and on time. Everyone in the band should be hitting the same beat EVERY time. These little things are so much more important then you realize. It's true most audiences can't tell you when pitch is off a little, or the beat is "muddy" - but they feel it when it's perfect and they respond.
Identify your weaknesses and turn them into strengths! If you're a talented songwriter but don't play your instrument really well; Learn To Play It Really Well. If you're behind the curve on your chops, find a damn good teacher and practice, practice, practice. A mediocre player can become a good player, over time with regular work.
I've heard/seen some raw, undeveloped but TALENTED folks in these CL threads. Some who will only remain frustrated because they haven't learned to develop their chops. If you work hard at it; you WILL get better. Everyone does. I only say this to encourage people. It's true, some stars get there without really developing, but not many. Music is a skill that can be developed.