Going Into the Studio Today

--Photo courtesy of London Studios on Flickr

Hello, Readers,

I'm so excited today! I'm going into the studio to do some actual recording! Finally, I get to take a much-need break from teaching and my arts management duties to do what I really love: making music.

As a professional jazz pianist, I always harbored dreams of being a famous recording artist. My problem: I like stability too much! I don't have the same level of brash courage that many pro musicians have - that uncanny ability to go where the music takes you, undaunted by not knowing exactly where your next paycheck is coming from. I always admired that quality in artists.

I suppose there's nothing wrong with stability; As we say in the music industry, "The rent-man don't care 'bout whether you wanna be one with the music; he still want his money on the first." How true this is, unfortunately.

Are Musicians and Artists Devalued in Our Culture?

I think what is really unfortunate in our culture is that we value the artist so little here. We have not yet made a secure place for the artist as a nation. Sure, there are some pockets where artists have unions, guilds and trade associations to assist us in our professional development. But I think by and large, as a whole, our society doesn't really value artists as it should. (Take, for example, the measly allocation to the National Endowment of the Arts. I sometimes think we as a nation would rather make war than make art. Ah, well.)

At any rate, I can't complain. I'm blessed and highly favored. I get the chance to go into a professional recording studio - free of charge - and make ... well ... music! How fortunate is that! If you've never been to a real professional music studio, you should - even if you're not a musician. Visiting a recording studio is very like visiting a fine art museum; it has the power to change your life.