Arts & Entertainment, Music
Advice for Musicians
Lesson time 15:36 min
Whether you want to be a professional drummer or you just love playing music, Sheila has some words of wisdom for you.
Students give MasterClass an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars
Topics include: Give It Everything You’ve Got • Find Power in Rejection • Cultivate a Work Ethic • Practice Discipline • Embrace Your Fear • Learn the Business • Be True to Yourself • Support Women in the Entertainment Industry
Preview
[00:00:08.67] - Working in the music industry my whole life, you learn a lot of things the hard way. I want to share with you some life lessons to help you avoid the mistakes that I made so you can grow as a musician and follow your dreams. [00:00:23.24] [MUSIC PLAYING] [00:00:29.82] If you want this to be your career, you really have to work hard, and I mean extremely hard. And when you think that it's hard enough, then go even further. You gotta really do the training. If you want this to be a career, get with people who can encourage you to help you. Network is very important. [00:00:54.28] I made sure that I sat down, listened to what people had to say. I learned a lot by listening, not talking, but listening. I learned a lot by jamming with other people. I went to every place that I could when I heard someone would be playing, if there were jam sessions on the streets. I was in the parks jamming with people, on the grass, in the park. I was everywhere with everyone to just try to understand the different genres of music, what it would take to learn that music. Would I want to play that type of music? What artists would I play with? What was I interested in? That experience is so important. [00:01:38.68] [MUSIC PLAYING] [00:01:45.23] There are a lot of no's. There are a lot of rejections, a lot of negativity. You know, do it for yourself, and believe in yourself. You know, no means opportunity. No means opportunity. It really does. Sometimes they'd say no to me, and I just thought, yeah, I don't think they really know. So since I can't walk through the front door, I'm going to go to the side door. OK. Someone was there. They kind of know. OK, never mind. I'll go to the other side of the stage where they kind of don't know me and say hey again. Can I sit in and play? [00:02:21.67] And all of a sudden I'm onstage. These five people over here said no, but I made my way to the other side and said, you know what? And I got on stage and I said, I just wanted to show you I believe in myself. I want you to believe in me. I'm really good. I love what I get to do, you know? So you have to believe in yourself. You have to be strong. And no, again, doesn't mean you're failing. Just fail forward and continue to walk. [00:02:46.65] [MUSIC PLAYING] [00:02:52.05] If you show the enthusiasm that you're willing to work and put in the hours and be there and be dependable, that'll change the world. You can prove to people, this is my gift. I'm really good. I'm on time. I'm here. I want to do it. This is what I love to do. I have great musician friends that are incredible, can solo play amazing. But they're undependable. They bring baggage where, you know, there's drama, or they're not on time. They don't learn the music. They don't care. It's like, I'll learn it when I get there. I don't want that kind of attitude. I'll never call you back. [00:03:30.75] I want someone that I can depend on. I want someone to be there because they want to be there. Even ...
About the Instructor
Raised in a family of musicians, Sheila E. has collaborated with icons like Marvin Gaye and Ringo Starr and was named one of the all-time greatest drummers by Rolling Stone. Now she teaches you how to find your rhythm. Learn the principles of percussion—with or without a drum set—and discover techniques for dynamic solos and fills. Jam with the Escovedo family and find your own groove, as a beginner or as a bandleader.
Featured MasterClass Instructor
Sheila E.
Legendary drummer Sheila E. welcomes you to the world of percussion and teaches you how to express yourself through rhythm.
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