I used to think that great music was about speed – how fast can ones fingers glide across the piano, shred on the guitar, fly on the drum kit?

I used to think that great music was about difficulty – as if greatness was directly related to one’s ability to play Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes.

I used to think that great music could only be played on a great instrument. If you didn’t have something that was at least $1000, what you were playing was total crap.

Believe it or not, I also used to think electronic music was lame. I mean, what skill is really involved?

It’s not that brilliant musicians can’t play fast or difficult music. Or that they refuse to use nice instruments. No, it’s just that their music is deeper than that. It’s more real. It comes from within.

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Ever get frustrated by another musician you work with? If you haven’t, you’re lying.

Think about it: musicians of different generations, unique styles, different preferences, varying degrees of skill, different goals – all placed on the same stage. There’s nothing like a worship team!

This weekend I was having a conversation with one of the drummers on my team, a great friend. He’s a good drummer – passionate, great feel, good sense of time, loves Jesus, and has the kind of attitude any worship leader would envy.

But even with all these positives in place, something was amiss. Something sounded off.

So began a great conversation that changed everything.

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No, it’s not the fact that you’re not talented enough. It’s not the fact that you’re too old, too young, too busy, or too dumb.

On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you as a musician…really?

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Strangely, one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever received is, “You’re such a nerd.”

I know, kind of weird for me to say that. But the truth is, if you can’t geek out over something, you’re too up tight. You have to dive deep in order to get the most out of life.

And we musicians can be a nerdy bunch. I’m here to tell you that is a very good thing.

When it comes to music, I’m a nerd. I’ve spent most of my life hanging out with nerdy musicians who have taught me what it takes to be effective, in demand, & influential.

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We all know musicians should keep learning.

No one wakes up and says, “I’ve made it! I’ve finally learned everything there is to know!”

Whoever says that won’t have many friends.

Learning and growing is part of what it is to be human. That journey never ends.

But do you know why? Why do you need to learn, remain curious, and forever expand your creativity?

It’s not to be the best you can be. It’s not to create more opportunities for yourself.

It’s not be more successful, make money, or a name for yourself.

What is it? I’ll answer the question shortly, but first allow me to reference a great new book.

I’ve been loving John Piper’s, Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully. It’s a necessary read for songwriters, musicians, worship leaders, and anyone involved in the arts.

The first chapter is a biographical sketch of George Herbert, the famous poet/pastor. The point that Piper makes is that Herbert used poems and beautiful language as a means to see and savor the beauty of Christ more fully. His art wasn’t an end in itself.

It was used as a microscope to see the glories of God.

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