know that every musician is insecure about
what they do. It’s almost like our industry is
pushing people to sound like other people. And
there is nothing wrong with ‘signature’ anything,
I have a few guitars that are other peoples
signature models, but an unhealthy version that
that is, “If you buy this you will sound like this,
if you but the fuzz strings you will sound like
Jimmy Hendrix.”
I think the thing that is not getting said enough
is that, I know we always want to sound like
legends, and I think where insecurities come in
is when we work so hard to sound like someone
else and we don’t. Or when we try to play a fill
that someone else played and we can’t quite
get what they did. That’s when insecurities
come, like does that mean you’re not as good
as them? I think what needs to be said more
is that you will always sound like yourself, and
that is the best thing that any musician can
realize. You will always sound like you.
If you pick up my bass, play through all of my
pedals with my settings, you will still sound
like you. That’s what’s so great about our
instruments, the thing that makes you better
are some of the warning signs that Christian
about it?
and more unique is just you. It’s not the gear,
musicians should be on the lookout for so they
the gear is more of a preference, it’s if you
don’t get caught in the trap of getting caught [David] I think it has a lot to do with accepting like how something sounds or feels, how the
up in themselves? the fact that you put a lot of work into it. Don’t wood feels. There are so many different kinds
make it a big deal, just say, “Yeah, I put a lot of because people like so many different things,
[David] I think when they actively look for it. hard work into this and I’m really proud of it, on but I think you will always sound like you. You’ll
When they’re actively looking for that affirmation. to the next thing.” You don’t want to downplay do things that I can’t do, you’ll hit notes in a way
When you start focusing on what is not what you do, because I think that is just as that I could never do, and I think having that
happening you start taking things for granted harmful as getting a big head about things. Just understanding will help people to stop chasing
and you start missing what is happening. I think have a healthy acceptance and be proud of it a blinking light and just focus in on what they’re
getting caught up in doing things out of wanting so you can now focus on other things. really good at and things they need to work on.
recognition, like overplaying because you want
It’s actually putting the spotlight for a second
someone to notice your playing instead of [WM] While some of us struggle with pride, onto yourself and being like, “I’m going to
just playing the part, that’s when you get into I’d say most if not all of us also struggle with acknowledge that this is what I’m good at, this
murky waters. It’s fun to play fills and stuff but our insecurities, sometimes to the point of is what I sound like, and I’m going to silence
if you’re actively over playing to get people to letting our faults define us. What advice do that inner critic.” That is the insecurity that every
notice what you can do, that’s where things you have for musicians who struggle with their musician feels. Everyone feels insecure and
get muddy. insecurities, and how have you approached everyone will always sound like themselves,
working through yours? those are the two things that can help calm all
[WM] How do you balance taking credit for the
of those insecurities.
hard work you’ve put in and the appreciation [David] I’ll say that I think the music world
people have for that, and not getting a big head doesn’t do the greatest job of letting people
January 2019
[WM] Another duality we face is the one
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