Remember, the only thing sadder than an unsuccessful musician is a musician that gives up because they're unsuccessful.

I work as a french teacher and i love my job . When I’m home I hit to my home studio and start working on my songs. I’ll never stop doing what I love to do. God bless you all. Peace ✌🏻

i realized that i was a 40 year old guy trying to make music because that's finally accessible to "normal people" via technology. I was really loving what i was doing, it was creative, spontaneous, and this is needed in the world today. It was a hard pill to swallow that nobody really wanted to listen to what i made, and eventually that I would never make money, let alone a career, out of it. I still make music but i do it just for the sounds, i dont do it for recognition or validation, or even for anyone else to hear...my music started getting better once i stopped trying to "make it good" for appeal to another person. I almost derailed my career because i loved making music so much. It was a tough lesson to learn that production had to be put in its proper place in my life. If you are trying to be a music professional full stop then I wish you only success! I gave up on my music "career" and have felt sad since. Its not because i cant make music, its because i cant make a career out of it... i can still make music, and i feel a bit more free when doing so now that ive accepted that harsh truth.

OK, We are an older band.. My bass player is soon to be 69 (And he still bounces off the wall). My lead player is 65 and goes under the knife today for bypass surgery. Three of us have diabetes. My point?? HEY, we still love music. And truth be told, we can rock with the best 20 year olds. .. (OK, as the drummer, my wrists can no longer move like they used to) Just saying, our average age is about 57. And we are just now hitting our stride.. I mean for God's sakes, at least we can afford the equipment now. Just saying, I do not believe their is an age limit on music. We are Lost Frequency.

This came right on time! Thank you! I write music, Produce music, I'm an artist myself, and I love to mix. I just love doing music. But people that I've been "working with" are not showing any sign of interest anymore and it was just killing the motivation I had. I feel like I was doing a lot of stuff for nothing, but after this... I feel completely different. I've learned a lot from you. I truly appreciate it.

Never give up!! Keep writing and singing, and playing, until God stops waking us up. It’s such an awesome gift, so many ppl wish they had, I love music. I’ve found ppl that are not musicians don’t understand how it all works, but they love to listen to music.

I don’t get how someone could dislike this.

Love this. About 10 years ago, I came home from a church mission and threw myself completely into music. Things didn't work out as fast as I wanted, but as a result, my background in music, performance, and acting collided into me discovering voiceover. That career path blossomed into an amazing career that I am so grateful for. It has allowed me to build my dream studio, work on music all day in-between sessions with clients, and has also introduced me to amazing industry contacts that have really helped me to grow. When I was younger, I remember playing live at places and really connecting with people. This was an amazing feeling. The past couple of years, I've really missed having that interaction with people in "my space," aka, "the stage." In order to give myself an outlet for my songs, I've committed to releasing one youtube video a week on my channel. It has been an amazing experience so far. Very therapeutic, and also exciting to watch my audience start to grow! I just hit 1,000 subs, and it blows me away! There are people out there connecting with my music again, and it feels AMAZING. I really believe in what you're saying here, and I know that even though it's only "once a week" right now, I feel like I'm building towards an exciting career in a very measurable and visible way.

I love you dude. It’s my birthday tonight and honestly been tempted to just throw in the towel. Cool to see you still making music something that’s apart of your life.

Unfortunately I quit music as of earlier this year. I love it so much, trying to make music or be in a band got extremely hard for me. Many people didn’t want to do a band part time and only wanted full time. Musicians nowadays believe in making a sacrifice such as quitting your job, college drop out or be financial stable. If I was 18 I would’ve done it. I’m already 27 and my priorities are my bills, rent, and car. I worked really hard to try and make music but people refused to let work with them, make music, join a band. It was extremely hard and I had to quit music. I sold my bass, my gears etc. I love music so much and it’s my life.

wonderful video, hope it helps a lot of people, this is quite a tough topic to talk about and your speech is right and honest. here are my contribution to the music industry: - write & sing vocals for music producers as a featured artist - produce from songwriting to mastering my own original music - youtube channel of music entertainement - teach vocal mixing through patreon also i hope to add music production tutoring irl soon when my new laptop arrives 👏 i try to be proud of everything i have!

So thank you from the bottom of my heart for this video. NEEDED this gentle slap up the head , you said it perfectly! Been super passionate about singing / songwriting professionally for around 10 years , have a publishing deal and made some small successes with nothing lasting and those things didn’t mean anything close to what i thought they would! Have been reinventing myself lately and going the online entrepreneur route and it is intense because you have have have to master your mind and balance! remembering it isn’t black or white is vital , falling into this perfectionist routine where it has to be full time or no time mentality is way too easy to do. Hearing your story is so inspiring and grounding 💸

Thank you for this message, I needed to hear this. I was literally just thinking about finally putting music making to bed. I've been making music in a band for many years, always had that dream of "taking it to the next level", but couldn't make it happen. Now I have a desk job, a family, and 2 kids, and I can't help but feel that time is running out on me. But I guess I just need a different mindset.. a different angle... Now that I am re-thinking all this, it is just foolish to stop now as music is a part of me and will, no doubt, always be..

bring the positivity Graham! Industry needs positivity, creativity and people with sound mental health....Thanks Graham!!

Once again a prophetic message Graham. You have a gift and thanks for investing it. You bless us all. Remember brothers and sisters- Let the Lord prune and adjust our vision so we can continue to walk in His blessing. Sometimes what we think is a disappointment is the Lord adjusting us! Don’t be discouraged and keep your eyes on the Prize!

I was literally thinking about this today! Thank you so much for this video, it gave me such a great new perspective on the music industry and what I can do!

thanks man, u saved my future at the right time

I've definitely taken a break. Music creation is something I love. Pushing through the noise of my own mind and constantly selling myself as a product is the more taxing part of this journey. Im working on finding a proper balance.

Excellent video! I've been in the industry for many years and have given up many times. Now however, I play in a band, I'm a music director for a theater group, I teach music k-8 in the public schools, I run lighting, I record, I produce videos, I do live sound and all of these streams together provide a decent living. Plus I am able to make time to work on "my stuff!" I have learned and grown in many ways while still being a part of the industry, and while empowering others to do the same. I'm no SUPERSTAR, but I am at the top of my own "little world"!😎

I wish I had never given up on my dream. I wanted to be a singer-songwriter /performer. I was even nominated for a singing scholarship in high school, I competed for it, but didn’t win. I auditioned for The Voice & failed. Auditioned for X Factor & failed. I was still in high school. I had (a different) KZfaq channel with only 700 subscribers. I started doing paid gigs 3x a week, my senior year in high school. I wrote & performed my first original song in public. I was about to go to college for music. The audition was coming... so I freaked. I quit. I couldn’t handle another “failure” at 18. I didn’t play the guitar or sing for almost 2 years. I’m so haunted by the fact that I quit. I’m a registered nurse, now. I’m studying for a Masters degree in biology now. But sometimes I just wish I could go back in time and stop that scared 18 year old girl who let her whole identity be reduced to a few “failures” and gave up on an entire dream because of chances she was afraid to keep taking and opinions of others that she chose to internalize instead of just believing in herself for once. But at 18 I didn’t know how to love myself enough to give myself that chance and show myself grace when I didn’t get the dream right away. I didn’t think I was worth it. And now I have to live the rest of my life wondering what would have happened if I had never quit

I will never give up! Music is in my blood!

I just heard an old Neil Diamond song and almost forgot how good music use to be. No computers, drum machines, auto-tune, melodyne or crazy vocal effects, just superb raw talent all in the studio together. You were hearing the finish record over the monitors while they were tracking.

I think the best way to think about it is to just keep writing albums and put them online. Do it for the rest of your life because you enjoy it. If you learn to mix and produce yourself then it will be a lot cheaper in the long run. If you write music because you love the whole process then it will show in your music. Also the more you do it the better you will get and people will have a discography of your music seeing how much you've progressed. If you stop after 5 or 10 years then that might be when your fanbase starts growing and you're stopping. If your sole purpose is to make millions and be an international superstar then that's just going to knock your confidence and it's not enough to keep you going. If you're making music because it helps you to express yourself then you'll never get fed up of it. Be creative and try doing something different as well. Write music that you like rather than music you think people will like. You're heart will be truly in it then. Best of luck :)

Gotta say, you're a great inspiration... Honestly not into your style of music, but your passion is infectious!

I'm 24, I live in LA, I play in a Rush tribute band, I've been writing and recording with a potentially upcoming artist and in the past year I've begun working at growing a solid KZfaq channel with various videos of me playing guitar and talking about various pieces of gear. None of this hardly makes any money so far so I also have to work a full time day job at a golf course. I have to say, It can get very tough to balance my job and music especially after a long day of work and coming home tired, but I try to stay in the moment and tell myself to keep working at what you want to do long term, which is music. I definitely get overwhelmed and wonder if I'll ever make any money off music, your video was just what I needed because it enabled me to think about everything I'm doing in a different way, not convince myself that I'm not doing enough or why I'm not successful yet. Just to consistently be patient, and enjoy and appreciate any type of music project you are currently working on.

You not only give good information in your videos, but also much needed perspective on any topic you cover. My new favorite channel.

I really needed to hear this today. That all or nothing approach is something I'm currently working on.

Hey Graham, thank you so much for this video. I also wanted to be a "rock star" like you and failed. Up to this day, I always called myself a "failed musician" and completely walked away from the music making process all together. I felt like this video spoke to me and encouraged me to "run only one day a week."

My wife and I write and lead worship around the US and I produce music for other artists at our farm in TN. My day job for 12 years has been photography (which I’m thankful for). In the last 2 years since building the studio I’ve been transitioning more to producing and recording. Just wanted to say thanks for what you do! I’ve leaned on some of these videos when navigating mix issues etc... Much love -Chris

I've been producing my own music and covers for my KZfaq channel for a little over 2 years now. It started SO SLOW! I got frustrated that I wasn't getting more subscribers like I felt I could be getting. It wasn't until August of 2017 when I finally passed 100 subscribers. Less than 7 months later, I crossed over 200 subscribers. The point I'm trying to make is that it takes time, unless you have the most avant-garde content which, let's face it, needs to be WAY outside of the box. If you're a cover artist/songwriter like me, you need to work at it and you can't get frustrated because if you do, you'll give up long before you ever get the chance to live your dreams. I came up with my schedule last year and I will NEVER derive from it and that is what you need to focus on if you want to live this kind of life! You CAN and you WILL make it!!!

i was worried about the title man but honestly grahm thank you for the encouragement and making me feel like yuou are truly talking to only me wiht your message here today. thank you seriously

Thank you so much Graham! I'm now having a day-job and I'm doing my best doing music as well. It's not easy. I feel my days completely full but it's satisfying. It's amazing how wanting things and dreaming big fast may be such a big brick wall when chasing a dream. Thank you for your advise. It helped a lot. God Bless!

sucha fan boy bvut i know you hear this alot but im probably one of your biggest fans..dude ive literally watched every single video you have and not jsut that but wacthedevery vidfeo multiple times...i just wana say i thank you for what you are doing and what yoube done it is appreciated more then you know and it affects me and others in positive ways...god bless seriously god is good and he took you on this path to help people and you have neevr looked back

I was really down today, got this video in a notification and its totally turned my mood around - bless you Graham, bless you! :o)

I had dreams: rapstar, beat maker, mixing/mastering/recording engineer, soccer player etc.pp but I guess i never had enough drive to make it. Never stop making music and always do it for yourself. Please continue to build up and enhance your skills and never forget that you are a talented human being. Share the love you have with others and you will be loved. Think about it: making music means to be part of the natural process of creation, this is so amazing! Because of this whole music thing I learned a few things, especially the technical side of it, so I decided to work as an audiologist. From a certain point of view you can call me a recording/mixing/mastering engineer for hearing aids... Thanks Graham for being here on YT💛

A broader and deeper perspective, but completely accurate and true. Career can be mixed as well, part time, full time based on our own needs to life. No obligation to follow a certain rule, it's up to us. Like music, it may be a career for some, just passion for some or career passion both for some.

Maybe ive been moving in Reggae circles for too long, but in this crazy mixed up modern world if you work on some music and it brings a smile to someones face or makes them feel good your already an outstanding success!

Guitarist 36, from Germany. Pursued a performing musician carrer für the last 18 years. Studied Music in Germany and finished with a Diploma. Played a good amount of shows, but not really the amount you should suspect for all the years, and most of the shows werent even paid. So it never worked out the way i wanted. Now i basically ended up as an full time Guitar teacher. To make it short: I absolutely HATE IT! I feel like i failed big time in the music business. Having to teach spoiled kids everyday of which 90% aren´t even interested in the Instrument at all fullfills me with hatred and depression. My car takes all the frustration after work, i ´m driving like a maniac on our german autobahn. I also start to take the frustration out on other things: This week i already destroyed like 4 oder 5 music stands (the folding ones) in the classroom. I hate my life.

Thank you so much. I can't even tell you how much this video was needed by me today. It was a dark and sad day and you helped me smile, wipe away the tears and vow to get up tomorrow and try my best to live my dream. You did that. Thank you.

Are you living at my house? Do you sleep in my studio? Haha. This is exactlt the question I've been asking myself for a good year now... but thanks for this inspiring video!!

Graham... THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!! This was exactly what I need to hear right now. Stop worrying about being "full time", and keep working with what I have now. Stay positive and keep going.

Well spoken Graham...well spoken ...I was born during the Beatles era.....lm still a guitar dude in bands ....I'm a producer and I'm a stock music music...you must have multiple avenues...if music is a passion then it becomes a life long journey...so...embrace new tech...hug a fan..and don't fade away...

I've been thinking about it. I was about to start. I also attended the webinar. Thank you so much for putting so much effort for us.

Hey Graham, I just wanted to say thank you. As a young person who wants to make it into the industry, I always make the mistake of thinking I know it all. But you're one of the major people who always manages to really teach me something and humble my entire outlook on music and my future., I have learned so much from you from technical recording practices, to big concepts like this. Thanks so much for sharing all this great information, I'll make sure to shout you out if I ever get famous. Much love!

Thanks for being so open @8:22 about it, not alot of people can do that,

I feel like this video came at just the right time. Cheers!

"It's Not Full Time Or Nothing.. It's Are You Making Music?" So OP.. Thanks A Bunch, Man.. Blessings

OK, You got me here. This is me . 2 jobs and trying my hardest at 2 or 3 days a week to work on music. It's hard but I still go at it . So now I tweet, run a few face book ads and work hard as hell. I have musical ideas and I am working on strategies to become better to complete my goal. This is real. Thank You.

Yeah you are right, i been working as industrial technician and in my free time working on my career as an artist

Being happy with the one day a week relates to realistic expectations for the outcome and being proud of the work you have done, and are working on today.

Clicked on this link out of curiosity. I totally agree with what you said Graham. There is so much room for artists to keep growing and continue to work in the industry regardless of whether it is your full time gig.

Never give up, always keep learning.

Well Said! The music business is rarely consistent. Being creative, adaptive, not giving up, and giving it the time you can spare is key.

Graham, you seem to be the only person in this field who doesn't seem to have an ulterior motive or isn't blowing smoke up your own ass. You are an inspiration my friend. Keep doing what your doing

I was a touring musician for five years. I miss it daily but life happened and i had to step away. I ended up making a home studio ( which was overwhelming at first) and its been the best thing I've done. I was an all or nothing type but it goes no where . never quit , ever. So many people " make it" right around the time they want to quit. I had a cult following years ago but now, like with age, my tastes have matured and see music differently. You can be successful in ways you never expect, but you will go no where if you quit.

its kinda sad but i hear you...dreams dont always work out..but what your getting at is that there is sometimes a silver lining and a different path for your dreams needs and wants

Wow, this is so powerful and was well needed. I've shut down my home studio for the past 3 yrs. I love doing music. It's my passion. I needed this and thanks for this video. Another pullback for me is that where I'm at I'll have to take down my equipment every time. I have to get back to doing what I love. Thanks again.

Yes! We often have a narrow view of which career paths we should take. Thinking it's perfect for us, but there's always better things out there to be discovered

This has been on my mind for a while now. I've been pursuing this dream for about 10 years and it is hard, I've been working as a freelancer, copyist, FX and sound design and composing. After a lot of time I came to the idea that I need a steady income that allow me to compose without the stress of making rent every month. Thanks, Graham, your message made me believe I'm not making a mistake having a full time job and composing on weekends or whenever I get the chance, someday I will be able to just compose full time.

Great video, very valuable and honest, thanks for sharing. Even if i am still approaching my goals, I will offer my 0.2 sharing the current tips that definitely work for me: 1) Never give up and never plan B. ANY energy devoted of plan B, is detracted from plan A. 2) Maximize time, specially if you are a little late to the party like me, by removing ALL unnecessary time/energy consuming suckers (this one takes planning, reflecting, and getting used to it). 3) Set the goal high - then just keep moving towards it, further shaping the plans as you progress. 4) Side job only if / when necessary BUT devote the main chunk of your time and energy to music. Your identity and beliefs are influenced the most by what you do most of the time. 5) Do what you like to do most, and do it all the time available. That will make you improve ver fast. 6) Devoting most of your time to the music task that you love the most it will build up your identity into believing that you are the musician / mixer / recorder / editor / engineer. We tend to become what we do more time. 7) Once it is time to collaborate with other, try to be always useful to people. It will pay back. 8) Be conscious of time value, and also that your results will go according to how much time you put: part time will yield part time results (nothing wrong with this though. Full time yields full time results. 9) Besides the music related knowledge, invest time in improving yourself, because you as a human being, are are the basis of what you want to do: learn and apply time management, setting goals, mindfulness, health, nutrition, motivation. 10) Trust your daily routines and your process. You will have to build your own adapted to what works for you: investigate other's routines, then adjust by trial and error, stick to what works, rinse and repeat so you can optimize via repetition, that will make you work better and faster. Make your process FUN if possible. 11) Consistency beats intensity. Speed beats perfection. All the time and twice on sunday. I firmly believe that these tips can help to make you a well oiled music making (or mixing, or recording, or mastering, or...) machine.

17 years in and recently I've finally thought of giving up. Everything you said is true. I just thought by now I would be doing it 💯 by now. I do everything and do believe I'm skilled in most areas. This video gives me motivation to keep going but always re-evaluate. But I can never quit - I'm a pure creative. I'm just trying to find the right people. Thank you Graham, as always!

*Hey I'm 35 years old and have had this dream for a while, but whatever you or anyone says; positive or negative, I am still going to reach it. I will be patient, but I will still reach it.*

Whoa... your running example and how two different people see a situation was absolutely spot on. And I need to remember this because it’s going to help me in A LOT of other areas of my life. Thank you!

Never ever stop on your music career. Gotta keep moving forward. It’s art. Creativity.

Thank you Graham. You are definitely a blessing for us !

Thank god the Recording Revolution exists!

I still watch this video every now and then. I agree 100% with the advice in this video. I work a full time job and I admit it was not the career I originally wanted to pursue, but I am thankful and that I have an income and can finance the music I work on part time. I'm a music producer for bands in Detroit and a singer-songwriter myself. This is the best time to create music for sure. It's affordable and you can collaborate with virtually anyone. Thanks for sharing this video.

This hits way too close to home. You absolutely nailed my mentality, which I wasn't even conscious of. It's amazing what a profound difference it makes having someone point out something so incredibly simple and obvious. I won't change overnight, but I can assure you my outlook will. Thanks for this video.

Love it....been singing since 9 and performing..I will not stop unless medically I can't do it anymore because I love it and I teach as well...pay it 4ward; I am a part-timer and have never stopped performing successfully. So I started producing large production venues in NC when I moved from NYC. I auditioned and coached performers of all ages and got them ready for stage. I have so many under my be it that I can't count anymore and still was unsatisfied. It's 's not until a gentleman approached me to sing 20 songs of choice for an intimate crowd in my very own showcase that something clicked and I do a showcase twice a year and perform intermittently. Satisfaction guaranteed because I enjoy performing so much and showcase what I can do. 👊Thanks for an awesome video..I've been telling people for years that they must continue to work the vocal muscles...use it or lose it!

Though it was not your dream, you've been doing something hugely meaningful. You're blessed, man!

My narrow view of working in the music industry was working full time and becoming a rockstar lol. I now write and produce my own music and connect with other artists. My version of living the dream is being able to work a full time job, working in music part time and performing at small Detroit venues. This is such a great video and really helped me months back. I have held a full time job for over 10 years and occasionally the thought of working in music full time creeps up. I'm thankful to just be a part of the industry in a part time capacity. Thank you for sharing this video!

Hey Graham, great video. Like you I wanted to be a rockstar when I was 10. I did music in high school and then went out to work a labouring job. I still did music in bands for about 10 years. Then a serious motorcycle accident that nearly took my life and an Ankylosing Spondylitis diagnosis. I went back to music and I am now pursuing my own business as an Acoustic Soloist on guitar. I say you’re never too old as I’m now in my 40’s.

I started with all your mixing courses a year and a half back and has since then followed your videos and it has been so encouraging and helpful to me. Thank you Graham for sharing your thoughts, they've influenced my life! (and now also my view on part-time employment...)

Great video, Graham! I am one of those musicians who plays in a cover band, but focuses ferociously on my own music also. The cover band has at times paid my rent for months in a row. Truth is, if music is in your blood you'll never leave the music biz whether you're full time or not.

Thanks Graham this is a great video. Been working with music for about 38 years and I I'm still on it. Music has been a part time income for me booth as an artist and in many other ways. It has not made me rich but i am still keeping my dream alive and I still love music.

Thanks so much for making this video! You are keeping it real and inspirational all at once. I have been hesitating going full force into music for so long. I was an either or person, and decided to become a psychologist. Doing just that felt so empty though. I need to do music to feel fulfilled in life, even if its not full time gig.

My dream is making music that people can really enjoy. I’ll never give up on that. In fact this year I plan to release a few songs :)

Your a beautiful soul..I just started watching your videos..Thanks for helping humanity.

Thank you :) I have been an Engineer since 20 years, and a Mastering Engineer since 15 years. Sometimes I do feel low. Your video has inspired me to keep pushing myself and change with time :)

I am waiting for my PreSonus producer bundle to come in. I am trying to absorb every bit of information I can. I love this channel. Great and easy to comprehend info. Thank you.

Ive asked myself this question so many times over the 14+ years. Just come back to music recently. Going to slowly build the channel. I'm guilty of being too narrow minded about music in the past. Thanks for the motivation. Great vid.

The perfect video at the perfect time! Thanks a ton. I have a full day job and do music part time since quite a few years. Life is getting busier day by day, but I still want to continue this way of working because it just suits me personally. By doing this we can make sure we can give our time and act responsibly in all the areas of life - personal/family, professional and music. However, we have to complement how we sacrifice on some areas during certain times, as we cannot avoid sacrificing completely.

Graham, I'd like to express my gratitude for this video and the work that you do. I really needed to hear everything you talked about. I have been limiting and beating myself up with the all or nothing paradigm for too long. Seriously thank you

I always wanted to be signed to a major label and tour kinda like you, Graham. Then I started recording other bands for free, and now I make money doing what I love and also making music. Ding what I love. It’s a lot of free work and intern type of stuff at first. But if you kind grind hard enough, you’ll get where you want even if it’s not EXACTLY what I wanted to do with music.

Today i thought about selling all my stuff and buy a kazoo to make music and giving up on my music career and than Graham comes along with this video and i got this boost to keep on making music I love you man just wanted to say this to you. Thanks and God bless @graham Cochrane

Graham I love how you did this video. I've been watching your videos for a few weeks now and I'm currently in the process of recording my band via our home studio. Your videos have proven to be priceless fountains of valuable information and input. Especially today, I really needed this today. Thank you and God bless

This is something that's been on my mind for a fair bit of time now. I've had a few jobs involved with music since I finished uni- studio tech, some live sound stuff and then I finally got my "big break" which was as a recording and mixing engineer in a small studio. At first it was great, I was working creatively in a studio! But soon after I realised that I wasn't actually that happy with the way things worked in this studio. I instantly felt better after leaving but every so often I wonder "what's next?" and if i've blown my chance... I got into music because I love music (I actually wanted to be a rockstar as well haha, I play drums and the dream was to get in a band and tour the world) and working in this studio made me forget my love. Great video Graham, it actually helped put things into perspective for me. Currently i'm looking for any source of income so I can continue to fund my own equipment and work for my passion as well as myself. If nothing else, music should never not be fun!

Gave 12 years of my life so far! No going back I suppose! Thanks for years of none but the best advice! Blessings...

I'm a student of design but i've been pursuing music for 4 yaers now because that's what i would like to work with, and i agree with your argument, maybe ours dreams are too big, it's necessary to not give up and be openned to work with what is possible.

Best KZfaq video I’ve streamed so far in 2020! Super-relevant and relatable! Thanks for the encouragement, man!

If you're in that mindset that you need to give up music. don't give up, persevere with it and in time you will come to enjoy it and it will be rewarding in some way. there will be people who like your song and others will absolutely enjoy your music, there'll be some who don't. but they can always go buy something they do like. do music because You love doin' it, and that will be it's own reward, keep on musicin'.

Great video Graham!! Insightful and inspirational. Always comes with a positive vibe. Thank you.

Been playing at it for 30 years. I say “playing at it” because in all honesty I haven’t really tried due to crippling depression, therefore lack of focus, motivation and emotional support. I could write a book on it but it would be like reading a tragedy! I OFTEN think about selling all my gear but I don’t know what else I’d do? If nothing else maybe other people reading this can learn from my mistakes..... I’ve been open to all the possibilities you mention that whole time and have tried most of the things you talk about. The covers band thing hasn’t worked out for me. In fact working with others NEVER works out for me. I’ve realised recently that I should’ve been a solo artist all along. Do not waste 30 years doing this if it’s not for you!! I’ve had one band in recording at my house and have asked hundreds of others. They would rather pay to go to a “proper” studio than somebodys front room for a heckuva lot less £. It’s insane! There are about 10 studios in my small town. Also they usually have somebody in the band that does what I do. I just need to find a killer band that will agree to record at my house and THEN I can use that to sell it to others😎 I’ve done bits of live sound but again the opportunities are SCARCE. Most venues can’t afford to pay the bands never mind an engineer. I dropped on at a local venue Shadowing Somebody I know but he left me with a bad partner and I was dropped right in it on my first gig and the venue sacked us. Too much too soon. To make things even more difficult most bands have sound engineers in the band now so they do their own sound! It’s still maybe an option though once I’ve done a few festivals and have more experience? I’ve tried and failed at teaching in schools. Just not cut out for it. You literally need to be superhuman to do it well! I’ve put huge amounts of effort into volunteering and working with different community groups but none of them asked me back. It knocked my confidence a LOT. The good news is..... I have had some success teaching one-to-one and with my holiday rockschools. I have also recorded 2 CDs for a local choir. I have 2 live sound gigs per year doing festivals so this is something that could be built up. I landed a support role at a Saturday music school🙂....So I guess there is still hope. I just need the motivation to do it 🙏 After all this.....the thing that I am best at is composing to picture. I did some amazing things during my degree 10 years ago but unfortunately after doing everything else I do I never have the energy to sit down and do what I am strongest at. Its tragic.....I know 😕. I have a book called how to get music in film and TV but have never found the time or motivation to read it.... With regard to making money, music has given me pocket money and maybe enough to buy new gear with. My mum bought me my PA!!! I am on benefits so I have enough to get by but it DOES give me the 1 thing that most people crave dearly.....time!! I am so very lucky to have that but unfortunately I lack the motivation to do anything with all this time. The least I could do is practice my drums keyboards and guitar every day. My most recent knockback has stopped me doing this but I will get back on it. I must.... Basically, fear, rejection and failure Keep on resurfacing and knocking me off course. The older I get the harder it’s getting to get back on track. Depression (what I suspect is a wonderful cocktail of bipolar, ADHD and BPD) and lack of motivation has held me back for all these years and now I am trying to do it all at 42 years old...with the two closest people to me having dementia and terminal cancer. Yes....go figure....If I don’t get my shit together soon then the next few years will be unthinkably bad... It’s been an incredibly difficult journey but just by writing this I have realised that although the music industry is a bitch.....There are so many different things you can do! I’ve tried nearly all of them but ONLY A FEW of them need to work. I am not a super hero! I cannot be brilliant at everything! Learn from my mistake. Listen to your intuition....Really LISTEN to it. I have ignored it throughout my life. Also absolutely force yourself to focus on your 2 strongest things everyday and yeah sure, dabble with the others when you have done the main 2! I have concentrated on far too many different things instead of just one and now I’m going to have to let things go that I’m reluctant to let go of.....

Everybody nedds to hear that. Thank you Graham.

I never really got why people would give up completely anyway, unless it's just not fun to you. I plan on continuing for decades.

Needed this one brother. I put down the guitar, microphone, keyboard, protools all of it about three years ago. Definitely motivation to start enjoying creating again with some different outlets in mind. Appreciate you.

Nice job..Thank you... I like the idea of being flexible with dreams and that doing it one day a week is still moving forward

I have definitely had the thought of giving up on music more than once! As a little girl, I dreamt of being on stage and would write songs. I’ve written music throughout my life, and pursued music through two college degrees, but haven’t had the success I dreamed of having and always feel like my music isn’t good enough. Im good at a lot of things and can’t seem to focus on just the one thing that I’ve wanted to do my whole life! I’ve kept music in my life through teaching violin and viola lessons, but wanted to do more than teach others to play-I wanted to play, too. I kind of did give up at one point and started working in the medical field since that had a better paycheck with benefits. I’m now a stay at home mom with even less time to myself than I ever imagined and can barely stick my toes in the water (music) from time to time. The Recording Revolution has been an inspiration over the last few months as I’ve tried to make more time for music and learn to record on a budget. It has been really fun! Here’s a wiz website I created that has my first self-recorded records on it, thanks to a LOT of tips from you. They are in no way perfect and I definitely need more recording practice, but you’ve been an inspiration to say the least. www.muddledmusicmum.com

Transitioned from artists to producer to engineer to label so music can literally take you anywhere in the field. Most important thing your happy doing what your doing and make the most from your day. It all adds up to the success and that can never stop providing you keep going.

This video came to me at the right moment. I really appreciate it.