Written by Austin Scelzo, a Connecticut based musician and educator.
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
People see us in our most glamorous moments – big stages, lights, a roaring audience, and a professional photographer to capture it all in the moment.
What folks don’t see are the hours of uncertainty, doubt, and fear that precedes these comparatively short moments of glory.
Austin Scelzo, G Rockwell, Noah Harrington, and guest Jacob Jolliff At Park City Music Hall
Sometimes, we divide our time and attention such that we don’t have the luxury of enjoying our best moments. This constant state of restlessness can easily cripple the life of a creative person without discipline and boundaries.
It wasn’t always this way for me. Before pursuing full time musicianship/entrepreneurship, I taught public school orchestra for four years in Darien, Connecticut.
For many people, a steady, satisfying job with good benefits and supportive co-workers would seal the deal. But many artists, myself included, need more space and flexibility than the typical 9-5 provides to pursue and develop creative projects.
For more on this transition or for anyone thinking about a similar move, check out my interview with podcast host Christian Howes:
Transitioning From Creative Orchestra Teacher To Musical Entrepreneur With Austin Scelzo
Deliberate reflection and purposeful slowing can help artists reflect on their past victories while balancing an excitement and desire to grow as a musician or creative.
Without this careful balance, we are easily prone to crippling comparison, self doubt, and other insecurities.
“I’ve had a lot of problems with confidence – often comparing myself or my progress to those who grew up around this music, or those who studied music performance” -From “Overcoming Insecurities Around Performance”
I wrestle with feelings of inadequacy and doubt often and I feel that in a social media world filled with only people’s best moments it is my responsibility to share that the in-between isn’t always so beautiful.
- It’s feeling sick to your stomach knowing you’ll be playing with and in front of musicians who are what feel like lightyears ahead of you in their understanding and technical prowess.
- It’s showing up a half-hour early to the jam you are hosting and it’s just you and the bartender exchanging pleasantries wondering if anyone will show up or if you’ll be playing alone in a room.
- It’s emailing constantly- always trying and never fully succeeding in satisfying the demands of each venue on promoting your shows, all the while having an inbox full of unread flagged questions, text messages that people are waiting on – and trying to stay sane in it all.
- It’s wondering if people will show up to the show- or sign up to that class, or sign up for lessons when your income depends on it.
- It’s dealing with the inevitable 1 out of every 200 naysayers who don’t believe what you’re doing is valuable and aren’t timid about telling you rather vocally… and make you question everything you put out in the world.
That all being said, for me it’s WORTH IT!
Especially when you can sit back and say “good work” after pushing yourself harder than you thought you could.
- That sick to your stomach feeling meant you cared about doing a great job, and as a result brought beauty, entertainment, or light to the world. In the end, it made you stronger.
- When your income depends on creative work, I believe it can orient you to create something unique and meaningful that could never have otherwise come into existence.That jam or open mic you didn’t know if anyone would show up for just might be packed.
- Meeting the endless promotion demands of all those venues builds you a respectable virtual resume of someone who is reliable, influential, and dependable.
CT Bluegrass Association sponsored Bluegrass Jams at Nod Hill Brewery and Charter Oak Brewery
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Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam classes bring people on traditional instruments together to learn how to make music socially.
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And finally, for every 1 out of every 200 naysayers, an artist or creative can bring meaning, joy, unique value to a countless number of followers. It’s a wonderful career that forces us to always be learning, adapting, growing, and meeting the next challenge.
If you’re an artist, what from this article resonates most with you? Drop me a note: [email protected]
If you love art, thank or support your local artists.
Author Austin Scelzo is a CT based musician and educator, as well as the Founder of the Connecticut Bluegrass Association. He is an active fiddle player and singer in the groups Rock Hearts, On the Trail, and Angry O’Hara’s and teaches in person bluegrass jam classes and online Fiddle, Mandolin, guitar, and vocal harmony.
To listen to or learn from Austin, check out his:
Other articles written by Austin Scelzo:
–Satisfying, Invigorating, and Enjoyable Practice
–The Difference Between Practice and Play
–12 Tips for Staying Motivated
Comments can be sent to HearItThere: [email protected]
