Tips For The Solo Musician: Just Who Are You?

So...just who are you?To reach beyond the pain,...beyond the wall,... to
That is a question that every solo artist, sologo beyond perfection.
musician, and every solo instrumentalist hasTo reach the point where your music is that
probably asked themselves down through theexact mirror of your soul.The only lasting way to
years.attain this level that I know of
The ones who can answer that question will findis,...Practice!Practice!Practice!, and Practice some
themselves on the road to a very eventful, andmore!
interesting musical career.Who am I?...Who do IIf you can see the end result that is possible, if
want to be?...Who do I sound like?...Who would Iyou could just taste the sweetness of what it is
want to be like?like to move the hearts of thousands,...if you could
These are all legitimate questions, and ones thatknow what it is like to pour music out of your
should be asked.deepest parts until tears uncontrolably flow,...If
Every one has strengths, and weaknesses.you could only feel what it must be like to
We all have our differences.perform for the Creator Himself!
We all have different goals, and the way weTo capture the power of the elements,...to hold
want to achieve them.To find ones self as athe secrets of the universe.I am not kidding, nor
person is a great achievement.am I just writing empty words.
To find ones self as a person, and a great soloistI know these things are possible,...I know these
is a great Blessing.things are attainable,...and, I have tasted it.There
To find ones self as a person...as a greatare millions of musicians, millions of artists, and
soloist...and to want to share that with the rest ofmillions apon millions of vocalists, and
the world is a most honored desire.It's not a factinstrumentalists.
of being proud.The fact in todays world is that to many of us
No, it's not a fact of being better than any, andno longer have the desire to find out just who we
everyone else.are.
It's not the fact of being able to do more thanToo many of us no longer have the patience to
anyone else, or being in a class of "It's me, andfind ourselves.
there's no one else".We dont want to spend the time to perfect our
No...it's not about any of these things.Rather, it istalents.
knowing that you have something to offer.And sadly,...We dont give a care about sharing
Knowing that you have something that may helpwhat we are,...who we are,...why we are,...and do
someone.not want to help, or give of ourselves to help our
Knowing that it is not only a blessing that youfellow man.
are you, and you know that you are you.Yes, there are some who do care, and give of
But,...knowing that you are blessed so that youthemselves, and give their talent freely from their
may be a blessing to all of the rest of thehearts,...but not enough.
world.So...just who are you?Not enough of us.Too many people have that
how will you perfect your talent?desire for what I call "Quaker Oats Music".
What will you do with your talent?Too many people want to do everything
Will you use it to wage war?Quick,...Fast,...and IN A Hurry!
Or,...will you use it to make peace?Well, fast is not always better, and, haste does
Will you think of the fact that any one of yourmake waste.My desire for this article is to
performances just may save a persons life?encourage those who want to find themselves.
Or, will you give a darn, and only think you areTo touch those who do want to spend the time.
IT...and there is no reason for you to care?FindingTo thank those who are giving of themselves
ones self is not an easy thing.until there is almost nothing left,...then they
No, it's not easy at all.replenish themselves, and give some more.
It takes a lot of heart, and a lot of grit.To encourage the young ones who are just
It takes a lot of commitment, a lot of patiencestarting out.
and endurance."It takes time Bro"
It takes giving ones self completely over to theDont give up,...just keep going until you reach
tools, and ways of perfection.what ever goal you have set for yourself, and
You will have to go through the refining fire.then go the seven miles further.
Hours upon hours of epetitiveness, and drudgery.There is absolutely nothing wrong with
You will need the focus of a microscope.practicing,...nothing at all.
You must have the intense burning desire of aIt is an utmost necessity.
perfectionist.The mountain in front of you mustNo,...you dont need drugs to attain this perfection.
be just another movable object, and the wideThe energy is within you,...all you need do is tap
valley just another attainable space.the source.
The goal here is to be that great soloist,...thatThat source is deep within your innermost being.
great musician,...that great artist,...that greatLook for it,...Yearn for it,...Desire it!In closing:
instrumentalist,...That great vocalist."If I could do only one thing right, let it be music
The goal is to find that person inside of you.that inspires people to do the right things".Patrick
The goal is to find, and perfect that talent youis a blind, jazz saxophonist, his intense, improvive
have been blessed with.style of playing is both soothing, and captivating to
To search your innermost being,...to probe deepthe listener.
in your bowels,...to travel the deep relmes of thePatrick owns, and operates a Texas based
mind.recording studio: Curse Buster Sound.
To find that spark and turn it into a super nova!