Is the Music Enough?

I may quit the music business someday, but never the music.- Dan Fogelberg

So, here's a question that popped into my head while mowing the grass yesterday. I was enjoying thoughts about a current music project of my own, musing about the songs, and what I might do with each of them, and possible ways to get the music out there. And I realized in that moment how much I love just thinking, playing, and making my own music.

Do you feel that way too?

Most artists I work with or meet love these things about their music. But we can also get caught up in questions: Did I recoup the costs of recording/promotion.etc? How will I get the world to hear it? How can I quit my job and do only this? When will I be rich and famous?

I think if you aren't happy just making the music, thinking about it, planning it, and just plain old soaking in the  feeling of being a music maker, then you will have real problems with being happy and satisfied as a musician or artist.

Music and the music business are two different things.- Erykah Badu

Now, don't get me wrong, I worry, and fret, and plan, and orchestrate, and forecast, and count all the monies I make from all sales too. But that's a secondary concern to actually enjoying the making of the music. It's certainly secondary to what the music does for people as far as generating happiness, peace, or enjoyment.

(In fact this is usually where I now chastise us all for not remembering and focusing that our music is a ministry, given to us by God, to use as a talent to reach a hurting world for Him. But I really don't have to go there do I?)

Now, you may say, but I am not in the music business, I'm a just a musician or artist. To that I say, "Good for you...you liar".

Listen we all want someone to hear, appreciate, support, or even sometimes blather incessantly about how awesome they think it is. Whether we are looking for fame, career, or just a little recognition.

But unless you LOVE the making music part, just sitting in a room thinking, or mowing the yard, or thinking about it as you drift off to sleep, you will never know peace with your art.

Yes, it is important to be productive and useful with your music talents, but this week, just take a break and enjoy making the blasted stuff for a bit. Then you have my full permission next week to get back to conquering the music world one Youtube view at a time.

Have a great week!

EC

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Eric Copeland is a music producer, author, as well as an artist/composer too! So he knows both sides of the music/business struggle. For more information on Eric and his music got to http://www.EricCopelandMusic.com or find out about his music company at http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com