Back when I was in my last year in college, I was starting to go out to some auditions and struggling as new performers do with the confidence of getting somewhere. I didn’t want to compare myself to others because I know talent is unique to the person. Yet I was being judged at every audition; not just for talent but for whether I fit a costume, whether I had the right color hair, etc. I had a voice teacher who told me something that has “stuck” in my head. He said, “it’s 99% drive and 1% talent.” As a voice teacher now, I see young singers struggle with this everyday.
I see young singers who really think they can rest on a pretty voice. Yes they might be talented but there are a lot of pretty voices out there. You’ll find it’s a harsh reality that you might be a good singer and everyone liked you in the talent show, but in the bigger scheme of things you are not a very dynamic performer. So what makes you different? Do you make that work for you? Are you moving and exciting to watch? The 1% talent really has to be developed to the full 1%. So, what else is necessary?
There are young performers who have talent and there are young performers who really want it, badly. Talent definitely gets you close but it’s the drive and persistence that takes you to the next level. There are just so many talented singers out there who might fit the bill. Aspiring singers see their “American Idols” and want to be like them without an inkling of how much effort it really takes. Do you have the desire? How much do you really want this and how hard will you work at it? Can you withstand disappointment? Can you take the pressure?
If I was to tell anyone who wants a music career any bit of advice, I would tell them the same thing that I was told years ago with this little bit extra. Know your craft and develop your talent everyday so you can have confidence when you walk into that audition or when you present yourself in front of an audience. But mostly, search yourself for the desire and drive to move ahead no matter what the obstacles. If you get really clear on this, no matter what the result, you will not have any regrets. You will always know you did your best, whether you are successful or you decide this career is not for you after all.
