You know what they say "a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step"

It is a well worn cliche but it's so true. You want to do something with your talent and you want to do it without the (so called) help of the 'majors' but you have to start from somewhere.

It looks like you have some choices to make.....

I have met a lot of musicians along my journey and some of those I have gotten to know pretty well. All of them have a similar story as to how they started in the music industry and it goes a bit like this.

"I dont know how I started really, I just sort of fell into it and before I knew it I was in a band"

Sound familiar? It does to me. That's how I started.

I didnt have a plan, didnt have a clue, didnt have any idea of what I was getting myself in for let alone what I wanted to get out of it. I wanted to be a "rock star" so I could "meet girls".

I was only fifteen when I made that decision and thinking back on it I cringe and laugh at the same time but it does show me the importance of planning ahead.

It's very easy to get swept up in the hype of it all and before you know you are in the same place that you started but ten years have gone by and you are left wondering 'where did it go'.

Before going any further you need to ask yourself some questions. These questions could be (in no particular order of importance):

1. Am I going to write songs or not?
2. Am I going to be a solo artist or play in a band?
3. Am I going to sing, play an instrument or both?
4. Am I prepared to practise, drill and rehearse my craft?
5. Am I going to find my own work or do I leave that up to someone else?

I think you are getting the idea of where I am going with this.

You might be thinking that these questions may seem very simple and straightforward and in essence you're right however, I'm constantly surprised how a simple question such as "am I going to be a solo artist or play in a band" can distract someone from actually moving forward. I've seen it happen to many musicians and have experienced it myself.

Before you start have a clear knowledge of what you want to do and what you want to get out of it. Ask yourself these types of really simple questions and from those answers a series of paths will be presented to you. All you need to do then is to choose which path you take.

Until next time, happy playing,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Indie Music Artist

PS: Come to think of it I never became a rock star nor have I met girls through playing music. Oh well, there is always tomorrow :)

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