'Making It' in Music

An interesting thing just happened to me. I got a question from a young aspiring pianist and vocalist in my inbox. I thought it interesting because this is the first time I have gotten a question like this via email. I have had people ask me before…but never in an email. It allowed me to give it some thought. Here is the email and my response. It allowed me to be introspective about the music industry for a moment. This is only my opinion…so don’t freak out!

> To: Elio Scaccio

> Subject: Hey this is …… from Myspace

> First off I have to say you have a terrific voice and good music! I don't want

> to be bothersome, but I am an aspiring vocalist and musician, I play piano and

> sing. My question is how can you make it into music? Because sometimes I

> really don't know if I'm good enough? Like I said I don't want to bother you

> with this because I'm sure you get this all the time. Also thank you so much

> for your reply!

Hey ……,

Well...those are a couple of tough questions really. Being "good enough" is really subjective. What I think is good you may think isn't, and vice versa. All you have to do is turn on the radio and I can give you a dozen examples of people that I don't think are very good...but thanks to the miracle of digital processing and overdubs...they are on the radio...singing on pitch...and making millions! With that being said though, it does take a certain amount of talent to make it in the music business.

It all depends, also, on what kind of music you are doing. You can get away with a lot more in the pop and rock genres than you can in the classical vocal world. For one, there are a ton of effects to hide behind in the pop world. In the genre that I sing in, which is more pop-classical, there are no effects to hide behind. It's not unusual for me to sing a show with myself and a piano. That's as raw as it gets. It's like standing on stage naked. Pretty scary!

As for "how do you make it in the music business"...well...I can't answer that with any certainty...because I'm still trying! And it really depends on what you define as "making it". Without a doubt it takes hard work, dedication, perseverance, and PASSION. Passion is probably the most important in my opinion...because without it...when you undoubtedly hit the rough patches that will test your resolve...you will easily give up. Without passion and the love for your art...there is no chance of "making it."

If you mean, being a global superstar, in addition to the above traits, I'd say it also takes a ton of luck, knowing the right people, and having a product that is on the edge and big enough to take the world by storm. If, however, you mean providing a comfortable living for yourself as you move through life...that is much more attainable than being a global superstar. For proof of that, you can find a ton of artists that are making a good living being in the music industry, even though we've never heard of them!

So "making it" is really the first thing you should define for yourself. It's a personal thing. I'd be happy to listen to anything you have if you'd like an unbiased opinion...but again...who am I to judge you and your art?

I hope this has helped you in some way. Let me know if you have any other questions. I have enjoyed this...and I think there may be more in me before my career is over. Book? Maybe. Anything to help my fellow artists.

All the best to you, my friend. I hope to hear some of your music in the future.