Timmer's rules for a long and successfull career.
These are the rules that I try to live by. Most of them are common sense. A few of them are hard learned lessons. Obviously, it takes more than a few rules to guarentee a successeful career in any field. It also involves luck, talent, and dedication. But I believe that if you apply these rules to your career, you will earn the respect of all of those that you work with and attain a reputation as a professional worthy of noting.

I have a new rule. The key to success is the habits that you build. When your habits are in line with your goals, you remove many of the obstacles that stand between you and your goals. Habits are actions that we do without consciously thinking about them. If our unconscious actions help lead us to our goals, how much more effective is it when we add our conscious actions. If you are in the habit of using proper technique in playing your instrument, the physical obstacles of the instrument will be removed and you can focus on the musical aspects. If you are in the habit while on stage of smiling and making eye contact with the audience, you will always make a good representation of yourself to the audience. On the other hand, if you are in the habit of looking down or at your hands while you play, making noise between songs, or showing up late to you gigs, you will be viewed as an amature. Most of our behavoiurs can be clasified as habits and we can, therefore, modify them to help us meet our goals. Be aware of your actions in different scenarios and look for bad habits. It only takes awareness and perserverance to modify those bad habits into good ones.

1) Learn your instrument inside and out. Your natural ability is God's gift to you, how you develop it is your gift to God.

2) If you are getting paid to play, buy professional gear. Why should anyone pay to hear you wank on a 2X4 with four strings amplified by an old Radio Shack stereo with a blown speaker?

3) If you have a conscience, live by it. If you don't have a conscience, get one. Treat people with the same respect that you expect to be treated with.

4) Network, network, network. Most of your band and gig referrals will come from people who know you and like you.

5) Treat every gig like it's important, no matter how low the pay or how poor the turnout. You never know who is watching you and how they can affect your career.

6) Guard your reputation with your life. Most of the first time calls that you receive will be based on your reputation, not your abilities. A great reputation is money in the bank. A bad reputation is a career lost. More people will know you by your reputation than by your playing.

7) Set short term and long term goals for yourself. Not just in your playing but where you want your career to go. It will help to keep you focused and heading in the right direction. You can always change your goals as your needs and desires change. Also, remember to set new goals as you achieve the ones that you have already set.

8) Treat your musical career like you would any other career that you care about.

9) Always be on time and have a clear head. Drugs and alcohol do not enhance your performance, they impede it.

10) Don't be afraid to jump into a totally new musical style or genre. You will learn faster when your gig depends on it.

11) Choose your friends wisely and don't make enemies. Well chosen friends with similar values can not only enhance your musical career but they can make the whole business much more enjoyable. There is nothing to gain by making enemies. If you don't like someone, you don't have to play with them when they call. By badmouthing them, you only represent yourself poorly and open the door for others to bad mouth you.

12) Know your strengths and weaknesses. Use your strengths to your advantage and always try to improve on your weaknesses. But do not point out your weaknesses to others. If you don't say anything, they might not notice. But if you point it out, you can be sure that they will be aware of it.

13) Try and find something good in every musician that you hear. No matter how many weaknesses or flaws a player has, everyone has at least one strong point. Look for the good and point it out. It will make others feel good about their playing.

14) Always have a business card ready to hand to anyone that wants it. They don't cost very much and they make a good impression.

15) Always have a current resume available. If you don't have one already, it might take a little time to get it done, but it's worth it. And once it's done, it is very easy to keep updated. It helps you to track your progress and remember where you have been and how far you have come.

16) If you want something, go for it. You never know whether or not you can get that endorsement deal or make it into that top level band unless you try. Sometimes you have to jump through some hoops, but in the end, it will be worth it if you achieve your goals.

17) Never pass up an opportunity without first weighing it against your goals. You never know what something can turn into. And you never know what connections you might make. (see rule 5)

18) Don't be lazy. Nothing worth having is achieved without lots of hard work. You will get out of your music career what you put into it.

19) Don't be too critical of beginners or lesser players. We all started the same way. And where would we be today if those who were better than us didn't lend us their support and patience?

20) Always be aware of your sound, volume, and appearance. All of these things have a direct impact on your reputation.

21) Utilize all of the resources available to you. The internet is a good example of an underutilized resource. You can establish a monthly mailing list, build a web page, and make contacts all over the world, all at very little or no expense.

22) Play with as many different people as you can. It keeps you on your toes and teaches you how to be versatile.



Good Luck,
Timmer