Pack your bags or…not!
January 6th, 2012
Thanks for all of you female musicians who take the time to write me and let me know how things are going for you and your music career. Here is an interesting email from Erin, who represents alot of women musicians trying to decide if moving to another city is for them.
Hey Vivian,.I always enjoy your female musician blogs, as they are very informative. I was wondering if you could give me some advice or information..I am a female guitarist and I really want to get into a band. I play in an 80s cover band in the area I live, which is fun, but I want a serious band with whom I can write and express my ideas..It is so difficult to find anyone in my area (I live in Arkansas) to share the same goals and aspirations with. I was wondering if there was anywhere online to be heard, so to speak?.I am still pretty young, 25 years old, so moving anywhere is an option for me.I would move for the music. Thank you for your time. Any advice you could provide is much appreciated.
The 4 Types of Power You Must Have – for Female Musicians
November 22nd, 2011
Quote of the Day:
“Power gravitates to the person who can used it most effectively to get the desired results”. – Brian Tracy
The Power Twins
Men are not afraid of wielding power and neither should you be. If you want to succeed in your career or any career for that matter, you will need to understand how power works.
Power can be used for:
1. Personal reasons. For instance to gain respect in your career
2. Corporate reasons. To help your band gain momentum with its goals Read the rest of this entry »
How To Turn Yourself Into A Powerhouse Bandleader – For Female Musicians
October 10th, 2011
Quote of the day:
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”. - John F. Kennedy
There will be many opportunities to take a leadership role in your music career as a female musician.
Although leadership skills don’t always come natural to women, through education and practice, you can become an effective leader in any musical situation.
Here is an acronym that will help you focus on some important aspects of female leadership.
Why I Still Blog
September 12th, 2011
Once upon a time the world was flat…
When I began my career as a female musician, I remember feeling so isolated from other women. There weren’t a lot of us in music – except of course for singers.
The women that actually were musicians were scattered in different bands or in different cities. This was pre-Internet, which meant there was no way to reach out to other women in the music community. There was also a huge gap in our understanding of the dynamics of working with men.
Keeping Your Musical Passion Alive – with Valerie Bouchard
August 12th, 2011
How do keep your passion for music alive throughout your career? How do you know if you are in music for the right reasons? Valerie Bouchard, classical pianist turned jazz, covers these topics as well as how to incorporate different genres to breathe new life into your own style.
The Joy of Taking Risks
June 9th, 2011
Today’s Quote:
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. – Pablo Picasso”
Did you ever notice how men do things impulsively? I have. My older brothers were continually leaping before they looked. I also have one sister, who unlike my brothers was always a lot more cautious in life.
Men definitely dare each other to take chances whereas women tend to be a lot more careful. Call it our maternal instinct or just plain old common sense; we like to take safer roads.
The Other Side Of The Coin
Guys seem to think that it’s better to jump in and figure things out as they go along. This risk-taking mentality can lead to many problems but on the other hand it is an important part of creating opportunities. The key is to take calculated risks, especially when it comes to our careers.
Personally, I like to first get as many facts as I can about a situation before I take any risks with my music career. I observe what works for other musicians and what doesn’t. What have other artists done that has helped them to succeed? I also like to be on the lookout for shortcuts – the ones that have promise and the ones that lead to dead-ends.
