Watch Out For Experts When Making Art

Have you been asking the wrong people for feedback all along?

When putting your art out into the world, be careful to avoid the common instinct of sharing your work with people who have strong opinions

Here’s a few lessons that I learned while finding my songwriting groove.

The Intimidation Factor

After decades of playing music professionally as a drummer, I have an amazing network of talented friends. I’ll spare the name dropping, but intimidation was a key barrier for me to claim my own right as a songwriter. I was sitting on the drum throne watching powerfully artistic and interesting singers and songwriters. They must be touched by fire I assumed. How can I possibly write a song like that? I was so envious!

My choir teacher begged me to “mouth the words” and stand in the back cause I’m tall. I remember other choir members scooting away from me as my pubescent infused cracks harmonized with no living creature.

I found even more intimidation in my professional life as I spent 15+ years working at two of the coolest music technology companies ever. Both Ableton and iZotope are full of artists and creators I respect. How could I offer something? Maybe I’m just a business guy?

What I’ve learned is that I had to walk away from these minefields and get back to my childhood love of music (thank you Kenny Rogers!).

The Expert Fallacy

Experts are experts because they have been honing their craft for years and are therefore quite opinionated. Experts have their own guidelines, processes and expectations. If you break their norms or take risks they might even see it as their own risk! Their expression and vision is their own and not yours. What I’ve learned is that asking other musicians for their opinion is often the worst thing you can do.

As I started writing and sharing music, I began to hear self-doubt of my musician friends creeping into my thought patterns.

One dear amazingly talented friend strongly suggested that I change the key of my new song to “a better key for me” before we played it for the first time. He was probably right and I’ve since changed the key, but hearing his self-doubt made me pause and wonder if I knew what I was doing.

Good news: I sang it in the original key and survived the show without a mortal wound. I have learned that doing it my way at least at first, is a powerful teacher. Take the risk. Your audience wants you to take the risk. They want the true YOU.

Experts Can Be Awesome!

One caveat: If you are trying to learn a skill and improve your overall ability in a medium, taking lessons or getting advice from an expert is fantastic! Just be clear on what you are learning and what is not part of your artistic vision, process, and output. I take lessons for voice, piano, and sometimes drums too. I hire a friend to help mix my songs and another friend to help master them. I suggest creating a map of your process and where you need help. I also suggest studying with a master craftsperson in whatever skill you are looking to develop more depth.

My Realization: Music Is Magic

Who enjoys music? People!

Music is for whomever might enjoy it. There is plenty of music created for musicians. Most music is made for people who like music. So, why ask musicians? Share with people and get their feedback and learn as you grow.

I realized that I also have opinions and don't love everything by even my favorite artists. And yet, one song can change your life. There have been many songs that have changed my life! What songs have changed yours? Those are your touchstones for what’s next.

Mind Your Own Drafts

Expert opinions are especially dangerous with “scratch” or “draft” ideas. No one has your vision in mind. They can’t know what you plan to do as a final release.

Sometimes we need and expert, but most of the time we do not.

I used to share ideas and draft song concepts with another prolific friend who always seemed to wince a bit at the raw demo quality of the song. I started to take on his doubt and have learned who I can share ideas with if anyone at all.

I now realize my drafts are just that and there is no problem with them being half-baked or even painful to listen to. Messy kitchens make great meals.

Watch out for other people’s self-doubt which can often be shared a little too enthusiastically.

My advice:

• Take risks

• Share what you can bare to share as often as possible

• Keep going and learn as you go

• Don’t accept others doubts as your own

All of this advice is easier said than done. We are pack animals after all and feel a need to fit in with our expert friends.

Maybe this helps: Many of the most celebrated artists are the “weird” ones who are “way out there” and leaning into their artistic spirit.

We admire their boldness and risk-taking.

We are thrilled that they might fail.

We love them for accepting the dare to be outside the imaginary painted lines.

If you find this inspiring, perhaps you’d like my book: Doubt Riding Shotgun which I wrote while I was unknowingly becoming a songwriter.

Update: here’s a video I added after the post in case you’d like to hear some more thoughts: