Crafting My Sound: Lessons from Live Gigs

5 things worth sharing this week + new favourite book?

Author

Ameya Deshpande
October 04, 2024

Salut Les Amis! Welcome to another edition of my weekly newsletter! (Often known as the true test of my writing habit)

I have been playing a whole bunch of live gigs and that is teaching me a lot! I talk about it in detail in this video!

Here are some things worth sharing this week!

Today's Topics:

  • Embrace Your Demos

  • Learning Through Theory

  • Release Without Expectation

  • Focus on the Journey, Not Just Outcomes

  • Local Community and Collaboration

Embrace Your Demos

One of the biggest lessons I've learned recently is the importance of embracing my demos. Each demo captures a snapshot of my growth and skills at a specific moment. Instead of dismissing them, I now see them as vital parts of my creative journey. They remind me of how far I've come and the potential I still have to explore.

Learning Through Theory

Diving into music theory has been a game changer for me. Books like "Effortless Mastery" have transformed my mindset. I'm no longer just aiming for perfection; I’m in a state of exploration and practice. Each new concept opens up endless creative possibilities, and I’m loving every minute of it!

Release Without Expectation

Creativity thrives when shared freely. I've realized that releasing my work without the burden of expectations allows me to connect more genuinely with my audience. It's liberating to create for the sake of creation and growth, rather than worrying about how it will be received.

Focus on the Journey, Not Just Outcomes

Building a body of work is a process, and I’m learning to appreciate it. It takes time and patience, but focusing on the work itself rather than the end result fosters a deeper connection to my music. It’s about enjoying the ride and trusting that the outcomes will follow.

Local Community and Collaboration

Engaging with talented musicians in my local scene has opened up amazing opportunities for collaboration and growth. Surrounding myself with creative people inspires me and pushes me to elevate my own skills. There’s something incredibly rewarding about sharing the journey with others.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter! I’m grateful for all your support and can’t wait to share more updates and exciting news with you.

Below is my favourite paragraph from the book a “Effortless Mastery”

Fear-Based Playing You start a nice and tasty solo and a little voice goes off in your head, "It isn't good enough! I have to play hipper. This should burn more. It has to be more complex..." or some thought like that. Whatever comes easily isn't good enough because, in your mind, you're not good enough! You start thumping your feet, trying to coerce music out of yourself, or sing along for emphasis. You are straining or "digging in," and at that moment, the solo loses all subtlety and groove. It sounds nervous, and the tone is lost. Perhaps you start rushing or over-playing and just then you might get lost in the form or in the time. Then, fear of looking foolish causes you to sit there stiffly and pretend you're not lost! Sound familiar? Fear of inadequacy causes you to ignore the ideas that want to come naturally. They seem too obvious or "not hip enough." But they are, in fact, the right stuff. Trapped in thought, you cannot groove. "As soon as we reflect, deliberate, and conceptualize, the original unconscious is lost and a thought interferes."

Kenny Werner

Current Favorites! ❤️

  • Book: Story - Robert McKee

  • Podcast: Urgency of Change - J. Krishnamurthy

  • Album: Eric Satie - Gymnopedies

For tour dates, gigs, and other inquiries, please visit www.ameyaxoxo.com.

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