A Handbook for Intending Music Artists
Preface
Before now, the
long and uncertain road to the "stage" had prevented many talented
men and women from following their music dreams. A lot of money was needed to
make a music album. Only the influential in the industry had money they were
willing to sink into the sponsorship of music projects. You had to be
discovered by these influential individuals within the industry, who would then
give you a record deal.
Information
Technology came and created a bypass to music dreams, making it possible for
aspiring artists to evade the recording companies. Information Technology
brought software that integrates a complete music "band" into a
computer that one can carry in a knapsack. What's more? If you don't have a
computer, there is a chance the boy next door, or a classmate, has it and knows
how to operate it.
As a result,
making music has become so cheap and affordable for anyone who has the talent.
With a bypass
available, interests in music careers soared remarkably. Nevertheless, not all
ambitious folks take the time to study the rules and techniques that are
fundamental for a successful music career. In the end, dreams are broken with
frustration setting in.
Late Jamaican
songwriter and singer, Bob Marley, once said, "Some people know it, but
they can't do it". He was referring to people who have musical talents,
but who have, for one reason or the other, chosen to stay off the stage. Until
an individual with musical talent gets confronted with making a critical
decision on whether to engage his talent or not, he or she may not know that
there could be a mountain of reasons capable of preventing one from venturing
into the profession. Some of these factors include family influences,
disability due to health reasons, cultural perceptions of music stars in the individual's
locality, the music setting that may or may not warrant success, pride that
stems from wealthy family backgrounds or towering educational qualifications,
stage fright, a dislike for the odyssey that music profession involves, etc.
It is difficult
for one who has lived out a successful music career to think about writing a
book that teaches people how to make music. Such an effort would appear
trifling to him. The second reason is that he would have taught members of his
band, nevertheless! This is because, during rehearsals, a music artist teaches
his band members what to play to achieve what he has conceived would be a
chart-topping hit. His band includes instrumentalists and support vocalists.
Often, these persons go on to become established solo artists as a result of
the experience gained from working with a talented person.
Jesus once gave
a parable about a rich man who gave his servants business capitals before
travelling. The wise among them invested what the master had given them and
generated more wealth, while the unwise dug the ground and buried what the
master had given him. When the master returned, he scolded the unwise servant
for his lack of productivity. I strongly feel that talent comes from God, and
is meant to be used. If one were to be a saint but refused to use his God-given
ability while on earth, it would be the sole reason why God would not be
pleased with him. I decided to write this music guide because I felt
uncomfortable, living with an idea and not using it.
The content of
this book is merely a simple approach to music-making as it has been from time
immemorial when early humans could make music by just the revelation that came
naturally. The music principles, as presented here, are the same as those of
gifted musicians who never had advanced education. People with this level of
musical understanding have, nonetheless, produced some of the greatest songs
ever made in the history of mankind. This is the reason why, I believe, the
book will help many who have talent, but who have, for some reason, failed to
realize the significance of certain facts that should make their music
acceptable and successful.
Some musicians
are remarkably successful, while others have modest success. If one can
critically compare the works of these categories of artists, he would be able
to discover the differences between them. These differences are responsible for
the differences in successes, as I discovered. My study cuts across several
music genres (and subgenres) in pop and revealed that the principles of making
music remain the same, with the differences being the cultural influences from
which the genres find their roots.
In general, the
revelation that followed my study showed that successful musicians are masters
of the different bits that make superior music: the ability to spontaneously
identify a personal experience that can be translated into a good song, the
ability to write a good song, the ability to discover a suitable melody, the
mastery and creative use of instruments …
When music-making
follows these steps, the maker finds that he enjoys making good music for the
sake of it. He feels fulfilled by just the fact that it provides him or her to
opportunity to use his potential fully.
Some people
never find the opportunity to use their potential fully. Based on my
experience, this is part of the reason why some people don't find joy in life.
They may not know that they are victims of this and that it is responsible for
their inability to find full joy in life. The moment somebody finds
satisfaction from the mere fact that he has discovered the opportunity to use
his gift fully, he is undoubtedly on his way to greatness and money and fame
will, no doubt, follow.
The principles
discussed in this book are those that many already know, but, at the same time,
many don't know them, despite having the potential. This book is aimed,
primarily, at the latter group. Those who know them can still find the book
interesting, as it will provide a different perspective on the subject. Some
individuals love collecting books in areas of interest or in areas in which
they are experts. This, I believe, is a material that can enrich their
collections of music books.
Buy the ebook edition here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H4XQAQ
Buy the paperback edition here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTDRCLL4
Yiro Abari Pede
