How to Grow as a Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed

by Sheila E. Anderson

Professional musicians tell how they developed as artists, how they approach performance, and how they handle the business side of the business—offering solace and heartfelt inspiration along the way. How to Grow as a Musician is packed with candid advice on everything from overcoming failure to the art of writing a song to doing that all—important "ego check." It also covers such vital practical areas as the role of contracts, self—promotion, getting and keeping gigs, and managing money. A special self—evaluation lets readers assess whether they have what they need to succeed in the music business.

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[David Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book in one sitting. Well, one and a half sittings. If you are a serious jazz fan, you will know all the people the author talks about in this book. I barely knew any of them. This is one of those "I don't do it but interviewed a lot of people who do it" kind of books. There are some good stories and tall tales about the life of the performers the author interviewed. This is not from a musician's point of view. It is from the point of view of a musician who was interviewed by a person who wanted to write a book. Sheila Anderson was a radio host of a jazz show and had the opportunity to talk to a lot of the greats of jazz.
Many of the points she brings up about practice and musician's attitudes are universal. The rest of the stuff is just outdated and doesn't have a lot of merit in today's new business of music environment. The way people consume music is very different. The way contracts and managers and artists make money off music has changed a lot.
She basically divided up musicians into two groups. They are the A players and the B players. She defines them as A players work all the time and B players complain about why they don't' have work. Attitude is a lot in the music profession. I can basically sum up the best of the whole book in a few sentences. If you want to actually be a pro, act like a pro and do the things pros do. If you want to play at music and be on the B team, you are probably going to be disappointed with your career and should make music your hobby instead of a way to make a living.
I enjoyed the read. Glad I took the time to read some cool stories about some great artists. Now excuse me while I go practice, rehearse, and gig like an A team player. Even if I'm not there yet, I can do the things that A team players and musicians do until I make it. Music is a part of my life and I must make music and write songs because that is part of me and part of my art.

[Stven · Rating 1 out of 5]

Largely an exercise in trying to skim from her many interviews with jazz musicians, this does not achieve a satisfactory tone and does not get close to the title. It feels like a term paper written to an outline.

[Stephanie JNote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I liked the book a lot. Great read for any musician to read and to gain a wealth of important information that can help along the journey. Happy to have read it.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid information of what it take to compete on a pro level in the real world of music.