You have been going to the open mic in your neighborhood, watching other musicians take their turn and you want to get up there and show off what you do. Good for you! Maybe you are starting to look for that record deal.
The only hurdle to conquer now is getting the courage to stand up there and play your song. How do you imagine it turning out? Believe it or not that is a big part of being successful. Imagining your success is far more powerful than people realize. If you do nothing but imagine how you are going to crash and burn on that stage than sure enough that is what will happen.
Take some time to see yourself getting that ovation. See the audience clapping for you and saying how much they liked your song. You will be surprised how often it works. But be open minded, sometimes a few quite nice job is just as good as a standing ovation.
Handling Critics
Every once and a while things don't turn out the way to imagined them. So what do you do? It is easier to handle accolades but what if nobody claps? It is our biggest fear! Believe it or not how you handle defeat is what builds character and develops your passion.
First you should realize that the negative review is honest feedback. It does not mean that you stink and that you should never try again. It does mean that you need to go back to the drawing board and try again. Practice better or more!
Listen to what people say. Are they telling you that you need to know your song better or are they telling you how you can improve it? If they are just trying to cut you down for their pleasure than realize that it is their insecurity that is being so damaging. Push those people aside and ignore them. Seek some criticism that is meant to help you!
Think of the critics as a way to educate yourself to what people want to hear. Take the time to listen to them no matter how much it might bruise your ego at first. A good artist has a strong vision and thick skin! It is also what being a good leader is all about.
Your Reaction
How you react to people will determine how they treat you. If they tell you good job and you ignore them or say something like "Of Course" Than you are not going to be liked. Conversely if someone is sharing with you a way to improve your song and you get defensive it is going to go over just as badly. Learn to listen and take it all as it is a grain of salt.
Small reactions are best if you are not sure how to react. Don't spend your time talking about how you felt about your performance. Stay humble and work hard if you don't get the reaction that you wanted at first. All good things come in time.
Perspective
Having a good perspective might be the best tool to carry with you. Realize that it is just a song. I know that it is your baby and that you have been working on it for some time now. You have to realize that it is a complete idea now and it is going to go out into the world. What that song becomes is not up to you. It is your job to position your songs so that people can hear them. It is the listener's job to listen and comment honestly.
Perseverance
Perseverance is a songwriter's best tool. You might not have that hit song the first time. You have to keep trying. If one audience does not like you than try again. Find another venue. Jazz legend Thelonious Monk was put down for years before people caught on to what he was doing. As it turned out he was ahead of the game and had to wait for people to catch up to him.
So remember that a critic is usually someone who can't do what you do. And if they can do it better, good for them!
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