🛣️ Learn to Love the Journey

One of the most difficult parts about an artistic career is the the lack of a straightforward path.

Because the truth is:

There is no "magic bullet" for mastering composition, finding work, or building an audience.

And I remember feeling that frustration, too. 😖

When I was in college, I attended an orchestral rehearsal for a composer whose wife was my composition teacher. Eager to take advantage of a Q&A he opened after the rehearsal, I asked,

"How would you recommend improving in your orchestration?"

Before he could answer, my teacher stood up quickly, saying:

"Before you answer, Zach has been doing score studying, composing weekly, and listening to orchestral music regularly."

The composer paused for a moment, looked down at me in the audience, and said matter-of-factly:

"Well, it sounds like you're doing all of the right things!"

At the time, I was frustrated that my teacher interrupted me. 😤

But looking back years later, I realized that they were right.

I WAS doing all of the right things.

I just needed more time.

I've been composing since I was 7 years old, scoring to picture since I was 14, and using Logic Pro since I was 18.

I've been in this industry for decades, and I still feel like a perpetual student.

And that's what I LOVE about it. 🤓

To do art for a living, you need to learn to love the process of growth.

Get excited about new discoveries, ask questions constantly, experiment and make mistakes, and take risks in the pursuit of getting better.

Most frustrated composers I talk to aren't composing enough (or at all), because they're waiting to "feel ready".

But the truth is that you'll NEVER feel ready.

You just need to make a habit of out of creating, whether you know what you're doing or not.

Remember:

There's no end to your education.

Keep a list handy of things to study, techniques to practice, and problems you haven't yet solved.

Be specific about your goals, stop comparing your work to others, and focus on small, incremental growth over radical innovations.

When you’re a full-time composer, no one tells you it’s time to compose.

No one hands you solutions to creative problems.

And no one reminds you to take a break or celebrate a win.

Learn from mentors and seek counsel from friends, but remember:

Nobody will do the work except YOU.

Make self-education and creative exploration a sustainable, enjoyable habit.

(P.S. If you want to create some real change in your career with weekly accountability, check out my 6-week Composing Career Bootcamp!)