Singer’s Be Warned!!!
Written by singerii // // Vocal Performance // 7 Comments
Whether you’re living the life of a performer or looking into it, there is one personality trait that you MUST have in order to be a professional singer. You have to be able to deal with rejection, and deal with it often.
I’ve seen it countless times, both in friends and students. They’ll come to me all excited because they’ve finally muster up the courage to follow their dream of becoming a professional singer/performer. Judging by the look on their face, they’re ready to take on the world.
But all too often, a month or two later there excitement turns into doubt after a series of carefully prepared auditions that resulted in zero calls. Then, they start questioning what they really want. They start wondering whether or not their goal is even possible.
Now don’t get me wrong, not everyone is cut out for the stage. But, if you’re talented and willing to learn, don’t count yourself out too quickly because everyone who’s ever made it has had to deal with rejection, and probably a whole lot more than you have.
I can just hear some people responding, “But you don’t get it Ken! I’ve been trying so hard and I just keep failing!”
The truth is everyone who does something extraordinary fails, and they FAIL OFTEN. Thomas Jefferson failed thousands of times before creating a light bulb. The Beatles, arguably the biggest band the world has ever known, was refused a record contract by a thick headed producer who thought the rock & roll era was over. Heck, even my college professor, an amazingly talented operatic tenor, said for every 20 auditions he does, he gets hired for one.
The point is we all fail. And, we all fail regularly. In order to learn how to succeed, we have to be willing to continue to move forward, learn from our failures, and use that new knowledge to get ahead. If you do this, failure isn’t failure at all, but an opportunity to learn. When you make this mental shift, it’s impossible to fail unless you give up!
So, keep moving forward and I wish you all the best and as always, Happy Singing!
~ Ken
7 Comments on "Singer’s Be Warned!!!"
Very very good advice that applies to not just singers.
Problem is that Edison invented the lightbulb, not Jefferson.
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So true. I thought I corrected that. And now for my official public apology to the world… I’m sorry :p
You’re wise….Very wise indeed.
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Well thanks! :p
Thomas Jefferson did not create the light bulb. Thomas EDISON did though… =)
no worries, you are still a musical genius…
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Yeah… I’m not sure what I was thinking… I totally knew that!
Oh well… Thanks for the genius comment. You’re too kind!
Wonderful article. I think the ability to handle rejection applies to many people in the crazey world of the music business. Also, in many other walks of life. To pick up and carry-on and keep working hard is an amazing ability to develop and can help take you far. =)
Also, sometimes rejection helps motivate you to work on your craft more in order to make it better in order to avoid some rejection in the future, I think.
Sometimes rejection can be a big step towards success.
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I 100% agree. Thanks for sharing
That’s not just the best aenwsr. It’s the bestest answer!
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While your high school English teacher may not have liked that comment… I sure did! Glad to hear it helped!
Great post. I’ve been seriously considering getting a vocal coach lately and now I wish I lived closer to Memphis.
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Thanks for the compliment! I’d offer to work with you via Skype, but I only like doing that with students I’ve already worked with one on one. Regardless, good luck finding someone!
Okay yeah once I was rejected and Iwas sad but got over it and tried again