Music Is Not for Musicians: Play for the People (Episode 181)

Reliability beats virtuosity.

Here is one that sounds backwards: music is not for musicians. In Episode 181, a short mindset reset, Nomad explains why making music to impress other players is a deep well that never ends, and why the people you really need to reach are regular listeners. If you want to get hired, or you want to get heard, play for the people.

Musicians are a tough audience

Nomad's reasoning is simple. Musicians are finicky. We dig what we dig, and it is hard to get us to like something new. It is also hard to get a musician to spend money on your music or your merch. And we are all busy making our own music, so the last thing we want to do is listen to music we didn't pick ourselves.

That doesn't mean it can't be done. Plenty of very musical bands have huge success and musicians love them. But if your goal is to make music your career, impressing other players is not the target.

"Nobody cares about playing through changes. Nobody even knows what that means outside the music world."

Nomad, 1:45

Yes, you studied it in college or with a private teacher. Learning to play through the changes is a big part of becoming a professional. It is just not what gets you the career.

As a sideman: serve the song

If you have monster chops, Nomad says show them off. Make the YouTube videos, the Instagram and TikTok clips. But know what that does and doesn't do for you.

"Adam Blackstone ain't going to call you. Why? Because he's not concerned with your chops. He's concerned at how well you can play the gig, how well you can serve the song."

Nomad, 2:35

Music director Adam Blackstone hires players who make the music work. In a session, you play for the song. On a gig, you play for the song and the artist. That is Reliability beats virtuosity in one sentence.

As an artist: connect with real listeners

The same rule applies if you are the artist. If you want your songs streamed in mass quantities, nobody cares how many chops you have. What matters is how well you present your songs and your artistry to the world.

Your regular, civilian audience appreciates your talent in a different way. They won't say "that lick was sick, play it again." They will say that song touched them, that they needed to hear it. That is the human connection you want, not surface-level approval from your peers.

The takeaway

Stop playing to impress and start playing to connect. Serve the song when you are hired, and speak to listeners when you are the artist. If you want to get the call from the MDs who care about the gig, prepare the way they listen with the free Audition Secrets guide.

Get the gig. Keep the gig. Build the career.

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