Every aspiring musician has heroes that they look up to. Whatever genre, instrument, or era you draw inspiration from, there is a band or artist that has influenced you in ways you might not know how to fully express. For instance, Lady Gaga has said that artists like David Bowie and Freddie Mercury were her inspirations, Freddie Mercury drew influence from Elvis Presley, and Elvis was inspired by Fats Domino and Chuck Berry. (Image Credit: Pixabay)
The point is that we all have heroes that we strive to emulate. Even the most famous artists of all time drew inspiration from someone else. All artists start at the bottom and use bits from their favorite performers to perfect their own style and techniques. How can you use your musical heroes to develop your craft and become the artist you were always meant to be?
Here are just a few ways to become more like your musical heroes.
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Find Your Instrument
If you are a guitar player, chances are there is someone specific you admire. They most likely play a specific type of guitar, and that is what they prefer. The same is true of any other instrument. The trick is to find the instrument that fits you and your personality. If your idol plays a Gibson Les Paul, consider getting one yourself. Do not, though, make the mistake of buying it solely because your hero plays it. What is right for them may not be right for you.
Find your instrument. Maybe it is a Fender guitar or a set of Canopus drums from DCP. Only you know what works for your goals and style, much like your hero does, too.
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Expand Your Horizons
Most musical icons have a huge repertoire of styles and influences. Take the previously mentioned Lady Gaga, for example. She’s a classically trained Julliard graduate that found her footing is electro-pop and recently starred in the acclaimed film “A Star Is Born”. Do not get yourself stuck on one thing. If you are a guitar player, consider voice lessons. If you are a drummer, learn bass. Listen to more music. If you pigeonhole yourself, you will not learn what you want to learn.
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Listen to Their Influences
Many famous artists have common inspirations, like Elvis or The Beatles. If you have a specific artist you admire, listen to their influences to gauge what you can learn, much like your hero did. You never know what you could learn by getting in the headspace of your idol when they were first starting out. Everyone had a basis of influence.
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Find Your Confidence
All artists have to have some kind of charisma or confidence. No amount of talent can sustain a musician alone, because image does matter. Find your own inner confidence and believe in your talents and abilities. Your hero found the confidence to know that they could achieve greatness, and you need to believe it about yourself, too. Start by, perhaps, believing that your hero wants you to succeed, because chances are, they do.
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Set Goals
Use quotes, interviews, and vision boards inspired by your favorite musicians to set goals for yourself. Your path will not be exactly like theirs, and your artistry is your own. However, you can use them for the basis of your goals and your beginning. You find inspiration in them for a reason, so remember that as you forge your path to greatness.
Conclusion
You are an individual and your talent is your own. Everyone has role models, and that is great. Use your favorite celebrities to drive you to be a better artist and see yourself flourish like never before. Then, the day you meet your heroes, they can tell you how much you inspire them, too.
