Originality in Music: Embrace Your Authentic Self

In music, originality isn’t about simply standing out for the sake of being different; it’s about being authentic and true to your own voice. Your unique sound is built upon your personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives.

Take a moment to think about what originality means to you. Who are the musicians that inspire you? What is it about them that makes them stand out? It could be their songwriting, the way they deliver their vocals, or the instruments they choose to play. These elements all contribute to their identity. For example, one artist who has profoundly influenced me is Prince.

Prince’s artistry is something I admire deeply for many reasons. His stage presence was electric—every performance felt fresh, as if he was constantly reinventing himself. He worked tirelessly to improve his craft, and it showed in the way his live shows always exceeded expectations. There was no routine with Prince, each concert was a unique experience. Beyond his stage charisma, Prince was a multi-instrumentalist, capable of playing virtually every instrument with skill and ease. His music was diverse, and I have countless records of his work that continue to inspire me.

For me, there are valuable lessons to be learned from Prince’s example. I recognize that cultivating a powerful stage presence and expanding my musical abilities to include multiple instruments are areas I can grow in. So, I’ll listen to Prince’s albums more closely, studying how his music works and what makes it exceptional.

The best advice I can offer is to follow the path of what you admire. The things you love will not only bring you joy, but they will also resonate with others who share your passions. Remember, birds of a feather flock together—your authenticity and passion will naturally attract others who are drawn to your unique sound.

Embrace the Influences

To truly grow as a musician, you need to immerse yourself in music theory and continuously expand your understanding of music. That doesn’t mean you need a degree—there are plenty of talented musicians who play entirely by ear and can still blow me away with their skill. What’s important is finding a way to study the craft and push yourself beyond your comfort zone.

For me, one of the best ways to grow is by playing at church. I was taught this by Dr. Chris Mello, my first jazz guitar instructor at Cerritos Community College, who passed away some years ago. He told me that the key to developing as a musician was to join a band, no matter the type, and commit to playing regularly. The easiest place to find these opportunities is with churches—they always need musicians, and you get the chance to perform every Sunday. I’ve been doing that ever since, and it’s been incredibly beneficial to my growth.

Another valuable method is simply listening to the music you love. Dive deep into it and try to understand what makes it resonate with you. You’ll notice patterns, especially when it comes to keys and chord progressions. For instance, I’m drawn to songs in B-flat or G minor. Interestingly, these are not the easiest keys for me to sing in, so I often end up transposing the songs to something more comfortable for my voice.

Finding Your Instrumentation

My instrumentation setup tends to change a lot, mainly because I feel like my ears are constantly evolving. What I liked six months ago may not excite me now, and I’m always searching for something fresh and unique.

One thing that’s been incredibly valuable is learning to play multiple instruments. When you understand the intricacies of an instrument, it changes how you listen to it and how you approach production. For example, as a guitarist, I find it hard to use guitar samples because they often sound unnatural to me. I know the instrument too well to settle for a poor substitute.

Learning new instruments broadens your musical understanding. For instance, studying bass completely transformed how I approach guitar and piano. It also deepened my knowledge of rhythm. When I started playing bass for church, I had to learn songs quickly, often in a different key. The number system was the easiest way to navigate this, and it’s changed how I think about music theory in general.

Collaborate and Connect

Collaboration is essential for growth. At times, it can be challenging, especially when you’re used to working in a specific way. But keeping an open mind is key. Working with people from different genres exposes you to new ideas and approaches.

For example, my work in hip-hop has taught me that while vocals are important, they aren’t the central focus like they are in pop music. I once collaborated with a pop artist, and I was stunned by the attention to detail in the vocal production. There were layers upon layers of vocals, and the intricacies were mind-blowing. That experience made me realize how much I needed to step up my game if I wanted to work in pop music.

Live Performance

Performing live is one of the best ways to learn and grow as a musician. The mistakes you make on stage can sometimes lead to unexpected discoveries, and they often help shape your sound.

Live performances also have a refreshing quality to them. I find myself needing them to reset and reconnect with my artistry. There’s nothing quite like the energy of performing with other artists and the joy it brings.

Embrace Imperfection

One of the most important things I’ve learned is to simply embrace who you are. It’s taken me years to finally build this website and start this blog because I was afraid to let the world see the real me. We all face this challenge at some point, but we have to push through it. The world rewards those who are authentically themselves.

Honestly, who cares if you mess up? The only person affected by it is your ego. And let’s face it, your ego is just a bunch of lies trying to keep you from growing. The lows in life are where we truly grow, and embracing both the highs and lows is key to finding peace in your journey.

Dive Into Production

For years, I focused on learning instruments and music theory, neglecting my production skills. Production can be frustrating because technology is always evolving. I’ll master Ableton 11, only for them to release a new version with a completely different setup. It’s the same with plugins—there’s always something new, and it can be overwhelming.

But understanding your tools is essential. How can you create something new or replicate a sound you love if you don’t fully understand your DAW or plugins? I’m currently studying advanced mixing at Berklee, and it’s giving me a fresh perspective on how to approach my mixes. Always take your time with production and push yourself to do your best.

The Journey is Ongoing

The journey of a musician is never-ending, and I believe it’s essential to never let your ego get in the way. It’s tempting to stick to a sound that’s worked for you in the past, but growth happens when you challenge yourself.

I’ve heard of producers who refuse to learn music theory because they believe it will take away from their talent. To me, that’s a mindset that keeps them stuck in the past. They may have had success, but they’re not evolving, and that’s dangerous in a constantly changing industry.

As a family man with three kids, I’ve faced challenges in balancing my music career with the need to support my family. But I’ve learned that pushing through these struggles is what makes your connection to music stronger. If I’m not immersed in music, I feel disconnected. Even when I’m teaching elementary students, I remind myself that at least I’m still connected to music in some way.