MusicDish e-Journal - June 3, 2012
MusicDish Advertising Network
» HOME » INSIDER SCOOP » CAREER TIPS » MUSIC SPOTLIGHT » MUSICDISH*CHINA
» INDUSTRY INTERVIEWS » NEWS BEAT » DIGITAL SKOOL » OPEN REVIEW » MUSICDISH EDELWEISS
Search MusicDish e-Journal (Advanced)
Subscribe To MusicDish e-Journal
About | Contact | Advertise | RSS | Submit Article | Submit News | Artist Development | Premium PR Distribution
Mi2N | MusicDish*China | MusicDish Network | MusicDishTV | Urban Music News Network

Embracing Encouragement In the Music Community
Three ways to "embrace encouragement" and keep you strong on your journey to getting wherever "there" is for you
By Wendy Vickers
(more articles from this author)
2009-04-29
Comment | Email | Print | RSS

When I arrived in Nashville two years ago, I hoped to be an encouragement to the music community here in much the same manner as I had done for 18 years in St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN. I had some fear and trepidation about this since I was well aware of the talent level in Nashville. I was afraid that musicians wouldn't get or need the message of encouragement because they all knew they were good and didn't need to be told. Instead, what I found was a music community hungry for support and an affirming message. Some described feeling like "December in July" at times during their pursuit of their musical dreams. In a short time, I've been fortunate to witness the difference an encouraging word can make to struggling singer/songwriters.

You can be encouraged in the midst of a competitive environment like the music business. The good news is that there are powers in each of us to use. Let me share with you three ways to "embrace encouragement" and keep you strong on your journey to getting wherever "there" is for you.

1. Give encouragement. Never pass up this opportunity. Simply, a kind word or a compliment can make a huge difference in a person's life. I've witnessed this first hand with artists that I have known or coached who were inspired to take that first step in sharing their work with others or not give up in the tough times because someone had confidence in what they did. And often, you will find that the good you give will come back to you.

2. Accept encouragement. Some people have trouble taking a compliment. I've seen this happen often with artists. A fan or perhaps another musician compliments an artist on a performance, and they deflect the praise. "I messed up the lyrics." "My guitar was out of tune." "My vocals were rusty." Modesty is always an admirable trait…but don’t take it to the extreme by cutting yourself down. If you do this too often, people may decide compliments don't mean much to you at all and before you know it, you'll let the blessing of encouragement slip through your fingers. Simply say "thank you" and receive the encouragement as the gift that it is.

3. Own encouragement. Are accepting and owning encouragement the same thing? Not really. The difference is when you own encouragement, you begin to put it into action. Make that demo. Set up that website or networking page. Play the writer's nights and networking rounds and let people hear your songs. Make an attempt to book more gigs.

When you encourage people, you are giving them a reason to pursue their goal or dream. You're saying you "get it". It's not some pipe dream they've had spinning around in their heads. It's real. Then, when the opportunity to shine comes their way, they've got the confidence to move forward and go for it.

Conversely, when you are affirmed, it's empowering. And then, it becomes contagious. It feels so good to receive it, that before long you want others to feel the way you do, and so you start giving it to others.

Amidst the often brutal realities of the music world, encouragement is a win-win situation that sheds light in the darkness. It can start with you.


Home » Career Tips » Embracing Encouragement In the Music Community
Permalink:http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=12419
Email |Print |Comment |RSS

back | top


MusicDish Advertising Network

Career Tips

» 5 Myths About Music Industry Law

» Upcoming Bands: Work on your Stage Presence

» 5 Things to Look For In a Music Manager

» How To Promote Your Band For $5

» What Does A Music Publisher Do?

Career Tips Directory



» [2012-05-19] Music Matters Live 2012, The First-Ever Music Festival In Singapore To Be Beamed 'Live' Via YouTube; Uniting Music Lovers Around The World With Asia's Best Independent Artists

» [2012-05-14] IWantJam: Live Concerts Worldwide From The Comfort Of Your Home; IWantJam Is A Very Unique And Innovative Music Site That Connects A Global Network Of Musicians And Fans Through Live Shows, Video Streaming, And Social Media

» [2012-05-11] Ziru Productions Presents - Simon Ting Hip-hop Live And Dance Show Project; This Is The First Time Simon Will Be Performing A Show In A Live House In China

» [2012-05-09] Tencent And Sonos Bring QQ Music Into The Home; QQ Music Now Playing On Sonos Wireless HiFi System In China

» [2012-05-06] Digital And Music Matters 2012 Announces Their Strongest And Finest Ever Speaker Line-up; Program To Cover All That Matters In The Music And Digital Entertainment Industries In Asia

» [2012-05-05] JJ Lin Appointed As Singapore's IP Ambassador; JJ Was Chosen As The IP Ambassador Because Of His Invaluable Contribution To The Local And Regional Music Industry And His Strong Support For Original Works

» [2012-05-05] The Underground HK Releases Compilation CD5 "Breaking Through" - Party A - 12 May 2012; The Bands Featured On The New CD Are: AirTub, Audiotraffic, Beebob, Eli, Intellectual Morons, Operator, ReOrientate, The Bollands And Who Shot Holga?

» [2012-05-05] The Underground HK Releases Compilation CD5 "Breaking Through" - Party B - 19th May 2012; The Underground Announces The Fifth In Our Series Of Compilation CDs, Highlighting The Enormous Talent In Hong Kong Original Music

» [2012-05-04] "Elektro Kif" By Blanca Li Comes To China; Elektro Kif Is The Encounter Between Choreographer Blanca Li And "tektonik", A New Kind Of Street Dance Born In Parisian Suburbs

» [2012-05-03] You Chose! Mao Livehouse Grabs The Crown For Best Beijing Venue; Mao Livehouse Was Voted Favorite Beijing Livehouse In Our Beijing Midi Contest

» [2012-04-30] MusicDish*China To Represent 5X Muay Thai World Champion In Asia (chinese Version); MusicDish*China To Represent 5X Muay Thai World Champion In Asia (chinese Version)

» [2012-04-30] SoundCloud Song Pitch Competition For Midem 2013; Song Pitching Competition For Midem Trailers
MusicDish Advertising Network

follow MusicDish on
Follow MusicDish on Twitter

Mi2N Music PR

Thunderbird Thursday IV: Boogie Woogie W/B.O @ INFERNO In Shanghai

Tony Adamo's Miles Of Blu Featuring Mike Clark & Tim Ouimette

Doug Tidstrand Releases Debut Album "Everything I Am" May 15th

Swedish World Music Artist Malou Berg Releases Highly Anticipated Album "Den Inre Vagen" (The Inner Path)

CDSoundMaster Releases ACTION! For PC And MAC

Ryan Jordan NEW SINGLE "BRAVE" May 21,2012



Websites: Mi2N | MusicDish*China | MusicDish Network | MusicDishTV | Urban Music News Network
Services: Submit Article | Submit News | Submit Video | Artist Development | Premium PR Distribution

Copyright © 1997-2012 MusicDish LLC., all rights reserved.
About MusicDish e-Journal | Contact Us | Advertise | RSS | Internships