How do you know when you become a pro musician?
Is it after you fully complete Alfred’s Basic Piano Library?
Is it when you surpass 10,000 practice hours and artists are beating down your door to hire you?
Is it when you can play sheet music like this with your eyes closed?
What is the official “Pro” threshold and how does one cross it?
Going pro is much more vague than that. It doesn’t depend on 10,000 hours of practice, though it may require that.
It doesn’t depend on a degree from Juilliard, though such an education would be helpful.
It’s not awarded to those who’ve taken lessons the longest.
Sure, those are wonderful experiences to pursue.
But here’s the bottom line: going pro is a mindset. It’s an identity you adopt for yourself long before someone else notices you or affirms you. It’s taking ownership.
Musician – have you made that decision? Are you going pro?
I’m not talking about wishy-washy positive thinking. If you’re a terrible musician, you can’t just think yourself into awesomeness. If you don’t get serious about your development and your attitude, you can’t expect to get the gigs.
The pro mindset is one that assumes ridiculous hard work. The first step is adopting the pro mindset – choosing yourself.
10 Characteristics of the Pro Mindset
What is the pro mindset? I can think of at least 10 characteristics:
1. A Pro Doesn’t Wait for Inspiration to Start – Don’t wait for perfect conditions and heavenly inspiration. Wake up and get started on something every day.
2. A Pro Never Stops Learning – Pro’s don’t arrive. They remain curious about their music forever and are constantly learning.
3. A Pro Plays Music With Heart and Mind – Your musicality isn’t just what you can do with your fingers or your voice. It’s also an echo of what’s in your heart and mind. It’s a collision of technical and spiritual. Put your whole self into what you play.
4. A Pro Learns To Love the Challenge – Advancing in music is anything but easy. But pro’s love the challenge. They’ve learned to appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to become great. They don’t avoid the challenge. They look for the next one.
5. A Pro Guards His Attitude – A pro knows his tendency to feel elite when he or she becomes good. But what makes a pro an attractive musician to other people is that they are kind, encouraging, and humble. Don’t just work on your music. Work on your attitude.
6. A Pro Invests In Others – Don’t keep all you know inside. Look to raise others up and invest what you know in making others great.
7. A Pro Owns His Development – A pro doesn’t blame a teacher for lack of progress. They own their development and take full responsibility for becoming awesome.
8. A Pro Doesn’t Wait Around – Don’t just wait for opportunities. Pursue them. Play every opportunity you can.
9. A Pro Gets Coaching – Sure, a pro owns their own development, but they know the importance of teachers and coaches.
10. A Pro Is Adaptable – A pro isn’t relegated to one sound or style. They are well-versed in all kinds of music. They are adaptable to numerous musical contexts.
Musician, what do you think?
Is it your goal to be the best musician you can be?
How are you going pro? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
I am a pro.
Preach it!
Great post and list today, David.
My additional thought is this: When I think of a pro, I think of someone who is others-focused, who knows what it means to love one another as a musician.
A pro musician that loves well arrives early, arrives prepared, encourages the team, leaves any insecurities at the door, and plays in a way that makes everyone else’s job easier. I love working with musicians like that, and pray I might be one.
Brilliantly said. I wholeheartedly agree!
You have done, as always, excellent work here. There is one thing that “pro’s” need to engage in that is part of the current market place. Learn to communicate well – in words – to your audience. I’ve seen brilliant musicians fail simply because they couldn’t engage the audience, and I’ve seen mediocre musicians succeed because they could engage a crowd. Your talent alone will only take you part of the way to success.
Lou, so great to hear from you again! Man, what a great point you bring up here. I’m challenging a couple young worship leaders with this exact advice. So true and timely.
Great post with some excellent points. I would like to add some thoughts. Music is so multi-dimensional that we all bring a unique mix of sub-talents to our art. There can be a difference between a greatly skilled player and an entertaining performer. There is no accounting for taste. There is no absolute agreement on greatness. No one can define success for you. Your list, 1 trough 10, check and agreed.
I saw this on a music classroom door the other day. ” An amateur practices till they get it right. A pro practices till they can’t get it wrong.”
Great point, Don. You’re right – I think that what makes music and art so fascinating. It’s not just a set of rules. It’s not about creating clones. Everyone has the opportunity to bring their own unique sound and experience to the music they create. We’ll never exhaust its potential.