Versatility. A Recipe for Making Money. $$$

To be? Or not to be? That is the question.” Is it important to be a jack of all traits, or a one trick pony? Well, that immediate answer is up to you. Nobody can tell you what you want from your creative profession. There is one pervasive fact though. Versatility is most definitely a recipe for making money.

In a constantly evolving music industry, adaptation is important. With the up’s and down’s of landing gig’s, it is versatility that will be your sanctuary. The more skills you possess the more valuable you are. It’s that simple.

Some people prefer to do one thing, and that’s fine. Not everybody wants to be well rounded and only care to do one or two styles. Consider your passions, work hard at it, and do the best you can. It all centers on your interests, drive, and musical ability. Just know that supply and demand for your particular vocation may waiver, so it’s nice to be able to reach into your bag of tricks. Adapting your skills makes you an asset to more people, and can overall grant you more opportunities, which allows you to make more money!

I’ve always encouraged my students to learn many styles of music. Opening your mind and expanding your musical view does lots for your playing. It also turns you onto music you may not have realized you actually enjoy. You learn to appreciate the intricacies and characteristics of the various styles.

There is always something unique, complimentary, and enjoyable about each style of music. The lightness of jazz. The danceable and syncopated feel of Latin. The grit of the blues. The energizing feeling of funk or rock, etc.. It’s best not to develop an “elitist” viewpoint towards music. All music is special and unique in it’s own way. If you get too caught up in a couple things, you close your mind to the possibilities of so many wonderful styles. Plus, you decrease the possibility of getting more gigs. All music is beautiful and unique in it’s own way. 

The point here though is that the more versatile you are, the more opportunity you create for yourself. Therefore the more CASH you make. If you don’t like many styles, and care to only live in one-style land, then that is fine. Be passionate at what you do, and be the best at that one style. Just recognize that you are more valuable to more people around town when you’re versatile. You will be known as the go to guy or gal for gigs. Chances of landing gigs increase. 

5 Tips for being versatile

1) Play a different style everyday

2) Listen to different styles everyday

3) Study method books and videos

4) Go to live performances of musicians you admire and aspire to be like 

5) PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! 

Matt Jones has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance. He is author of “The Gigging Drummer Survival Tips”, a popular e-book in the drummer community. He has worked with the Grammy’s for several years, and has personally played and traveled to over a hundred cities in almost 40 different countries. See more info at www.matt-jones.org

Comments

[wendyI no]

I agree with this. As a classically trained pianist, I hated practicing my scales as a teenager. Hated it. So instead, I would practice pop, jazz, anything I could get my hands on at the time. I was learning to play the piano in the 80s-90s. So a lot of stuff I practiced was from the 70s (still new). Now, I can play anything (except Rap. Hard to make that sound good). And now, nearly 40, I am playing in a church (Danish and English hymns/sacred music), composing, arranging and have fallen in love with Celtic music. I too encourage all music students to explore music options. I think I hated studying classical music because many of the musicians were so snobbish when it came to taste.

[bright david]

Thanks for providing this opportunity for people out there i must confess that this web has stair more my potential, well my nane is Bright David Iam a gospel artist looking for a sponsor allover the world, please if you can invest in a humans life am assuring you that you will not regret of been my sponsor