Talent Isn't Enough

http://www.steviesnacks.com - Ever compare yourself to a famous guitarist? Just because you can play what they play, doesn't mean you could do what they do. Behind every performance you see, there's much more going on that you can't see, and not everyone has what it takes to do that side of the business. You'll enjoy life more if you stop comparing yourself just based on talent, and realize that talent cannot unlock every door.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• guitar
• player
• music
• business
• career
• talent
• advice
• rambling

[zylaxis]

Yeah... I gotta say, man: It's kind of hard to "enjoy where you're at" if you're starving. I could "be realistic," "act like a grownup," give up music altogether because I haven't "made it," and go back to waiting tables or get a job in a bank or whatever. And then I could slit my wrists in a bathtub six months later, because I would be miserable and humiliated without my music. So, thanks, but your advice doesn't really help a terminal case like me.

[gr8bluesgtr]

@zylaxis Did you ever consider that this video isn't about everyone? In particular, you?

[zylaxis]

@gr8bluesgtr Sure, I considered that. Your statements are addressed at an extremely broad audience, i.e. people who haven't "made it" as musicians. You make some excellent points, but you need to balance the points you're making in this video with the fact that people have a profound need to pursue their dreams, even when abject failure becomes an unavoidable reality. It's the way life works, and there's no reasoning around it.

[gr8bluesgtr]

@zylaxis This is not about people with dreams. This is about people with misguided senses of entitlement, thinking that they deserve to be famous just because they have musical talent. Those people will always be miserable until they realize that talent is not enough.

[regelemihai]

Excellent video Anthony. It's high time somebody broke this message to the prospective muscians out there. I was so glad you mentioned the bit about having the emotional and mental toughness about coping with fame. I was wondering when somebody would finally say that. Being famous, although very rewarding, is way too heavy a burden to bear. Personally, knowing that so many morons out there are criticising you and laughing at you for no good reason is something that unless you can shake off, it..

[pbcollins85]

anthony, i almost look forward to these "sit downs" more than i do the playing lessons. haha. You always have the best advice and talk about things that so many of us guitar players struggle with but are rarely addressed. At times i get down on my self for not playing up to stevies and my other favorite guitarists level, but you are right..I just love playing in bars and bringing good music to people, hopefully making their day a little better. I need to remember to always enjoy where im at.

[PIlotrcm]

Great points made in this video.

I dont think he was trying to crush anyone's dreams. I think it was more like a hard reality check. There are likely hundreds of thousands of guitar videos on Youtube, THEY are your compitition, and I have seen ALOT of really really good players.

Truth is...

Being a great guitarist takes more than playing guitar well, in the case of, Jimi, SRV, and Slash.

It also takes a really cool hat.

Think about that...i'ts actually a pretty deep statement.

[TheStrataminor]

awesome and nice to burst the stupid bubble of fame...

[dudeandmude]

thanks man

[knowyourenemy50]

@zylaxis only someone deeply deeply insecure with himself would find fault with anything anthony said in this video. it clearly was not intended to dissuade aspiring musicians from pursuing their PASSION.

[laketkc99]

I wish i would have had this in 1983.

[regelemihai]

@zylaxis

I'm not contesting that. All I'm saying is that the thrist for fame can be misguided. There are a whole bunch of negative aspects that come along with it that only passion can sustain the ongoing struggle. What you said is very much in line with what I say. You guys do what you do becasue you have an arduous passion for it; one that doesn't waver with respect to what society dictates. You do it for the love of it, not for the sole scope of acheiving fame.