Finding the Perfect Balance: Humility Vs Over Confidence in Musicians

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Imagine music as a vast mountain range, shrouded in mist and dotted with countless peaks. Each summit conquered reveals a breathtaking vista, yet the mist always conceals hidden paths leading to even more awe-inspiring discoveries. This very essence – the understanding that there’s always room to learn and grow – is what we call humility in music.

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”

Victor Hugo

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Humility Fuels Growth

Being humble isn’t about constantly comparing yourself to others or dwelling on perceived shortcomings. It’s about staying curious and excited to explore the boundless possibilities within music. It’s the thrill of uncovering a hidden gem in a familiar melody, the spark of inspiration that ignites a fresh approach to a well-worn chord progression. Every musical concept you learn, every technique you master, becomes another vibrant color added to your ever-evolving musical palette. You begin to see music not as a destination, but as a lifelong journey with countless unexplored territories waiting to be discovered.

Overconfidence: The Avalanche

However, sometimes on this musical journey, we can get caught in an avalanche of overconfidence. This often happens when we receive a burst of praise, positive reviews, or social media recognition. It’s easy to get swept away by this external validation and start believing we’ve reached the pinnacle of musical achievement. In the euphoria, we might forget what truly propelled us to that point: our own burning passion for music and the countless hours dedicated to honing our craft.

The Harmony of Humility and Confidence

Here’s the key takeaway: humility and confidence can actually be friends, not foes! They are two sides of the same coin, working together to create a balanced and fulfilling musical journey.

A Musician’s Lifelong Learning

As a musician myself, my personal goal is to constantly learn and expand my musical horizons. This could take many forms: a new way to fingerpick a familiar melody, a mind-blowing theoretical concept that unlocks a new world of harmonic possibilities, or simply the raw emotion of writing a song that expresses something deep within me. This constant pursuit of knowledge keeps the music exciting, fresh, and full of life. It’s like a chef who, even after mastering countless recipes, remains curious about exploring new ingredients, innovative techniques, and global flavors to keep their culinary creations vibrant and ever-evolving.

Learning Goes Both Ways: Teacher and Student

Here’s a powerful story that exemplifies the importance of humility: sometimes, a student might show me something that completely revolutionizes my perspective. They might play a note I hadn’t considered before, or approach a song in a way that opens my ears to entirely new interpretations. It reminds me that learning goes both ways – teachers and students can inspire and challenge each other on this shared musical journey.

Humility keeps that spark of excitement alive! It reminds you of the childlike wonder that first drew you to music, the joy of discovery that fuels your creativity, and the endless possibilities that music holds. It allows you to embrace the lifelong journey of learning, forever a student with a curious mind and a heart full of passion. With humility as your guide, you’ll never stop growing as a musician, and the music you create will continue to evolve and resonate with others.Remember, the most captivating musicians are not those who believe they have reached the peak, but those who are forever drawn towards the next hidden path, the next breathtaking vista, on the vast and ever-evolving mountain range of music.