Demetri Chrissos here from Chrissos Music Studios!
We all know social media can be a rabbit hole of endless scrolling, but what if we flipped the script? What if we could use the algorithm to fuel our creative growth as musicians? It's entirely possible, and it starts with intentionally creating a dedicated learning space online.
Follow the masters: Seek out legendary musicians and composers.
Support your favorite artists: Engage with their content and learn from their journey.
Focus on High-Quality Visuals: Pay attention to profiles that have captivating visuals.
Share Your Process: When you start creating content, be sure to share your own process.
Engage with your audience: Don't be afraid to ask questions and respond to comments.
Promote Positivity: Only follow accounts that are positive and uplifting.
Be Consistent: Make sure to post regularly.
Follow your favorite artists and those who are paving the path you would like to follow in. Evaluate new and old artists and study whoever you think are "Masters" of your chosen craft. Locally, you may find people who have skills or performance traits you would like to learn. Role models are crucial for personal development. Psychologically, they provide motivation, guidance, and can even boost our self-esteem through observational learning. Its best to find a Music Mentor who is a couple steps ahead of you in the journey, but not so far ahead that they no longer relate to your challenges! Seeing someone achieve what we aspire to achieve makes our goals feel attainable. I often learn from my students! Remember the words of wisdom: "A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you."
It's important to remember that even our role models are human. Respect them for their art, learn from their experiences, but avoid blind worship.
I personally use these principles! Most of my favorite musicians are already using social media to share their knowledge and experiences. I am constantly amazed by the incredible tools and technology I find. Think mini-lessons, songwriting tips, gear reviews, and world tour behind-the-scenes content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Seek them out!
The good news is, there's a wealth of free resources available to help you achieve your musical goals. Many of these channels offer courses, coaching, and resources to help aspiring musicians. MIT's OpenCourseWare offers music theory courses, and countless YouTube channels provide valuable instruction. Platforms like DIY Musician are also great for independent artists.
While free resources are fantastic, in the sea of content choice paralysis and unstructured skill building can leave you halfway to where you want to go.
When that happens - you need personalized guidance. That's where music coaching comes in.
When chosing a coach, be sure to look out for actual working musicians- they provide the best practical advice rather than theoretical knowledge. At Chrissos Music Studios, we provide tailored coaching by active performers and quantifiable skill-building exercises to enhance your development, improve your technical skills, and help you reach your full potential.