How to Be a Good Musician

Co-authored by Cuong Nguyen

Last Updated: February 1, 2024 References

If you’re looking to take your musical talents to the next level, you’re in the right place. Being a good musician is all about commitment and practice, and there’s no reason you can’t improve.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Cuong Nguyen
Music Teacher

Expert Interview}^{[2]
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Expert Source

Warren Lee
Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator

Expert Interview} So long as you’re willing to put the work in, you’ll be at the top of your field in no time. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you’ll need to become the best musician you can be.

1

Learn music theory.

Music theory can change the way you write/play music. It opens up your mind to all the different possibilities and options you have. Music theory is also universal, most musicians should know it. It will make things easier to explain. For example, telling someone to play a C major chord is easier than telling them where to put each finger.^{[3]
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2

Improve your rhythm.

Keeping time is very important whether you’re playing with other people, or playing by yourself. Having bad rhythm will make the piece of music sound bad even if you are playing the right notes. You don't have to be metronomic, but as long as you can keep a tempo without speeding up or slowing down that's OK.^{[4]
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3

Play with other people.

^{[5]
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Expert Source

Cuong Nguyen
Music Teacher

Expert Interview}^{[6]
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Expert Source

Warren Lee
Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator

Expert Interview} Playing with other people will force you to stay on time. It will also give you experience and make you more confident in your abilities. And above all playing with other people is a lot more fun then playing by yourself. Joining a band will also be very beneficial.^{[7]
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4

Learn multiple instruments.

If a guitar player was to start playing bass guitar, the guitarist would then start to realize the role of bass guitar. So the next time the guitarist has to write a bassline, the guitarist will have a better understanding of how to write a more effective one.^{[8]
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5

Play in front of others.

Performing requires you to know the music that you are playing inside out in the event that something goes wrong. Most performances require you to memorize your pieces. Having a good memory will benefit you because you always know what to play. It will also allow you to have more confidence in your talents and music.^{[9]
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EXPERT TIP

Warren Lee
Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator
Warren Lee is a Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator based in Hong Kong. Lee is a concert pianist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and is on both the Steinway Artist and Naxos Recording Artist rosters. Lee was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2015. In 2017, he received the Ian Mininberg Distinguished Alumni Award from Yale University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Royal Academy of Music and a Master's degree in Music from Yale University. Lee also holds an MBA degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and an LLM degree in Intellectual Property Law from the University of London.

Warren Lee
Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator

Musicians must connect with audiences in addition to building their skills. For musicians, people skills matter as much as talent. Making real connections with audiences is huge. Like the quote says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care". Focusing on relationships brings music to life.

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6

Express yourself.

It's one thing to learn the notes and rhythm, but it's another to express the music. This is probably the hardest thing to do, because expression is different for everyone. Try picking a slow song; they tend to have a lot of hidden meaning within the notes. After you get used to slow songs, try faster ones; they're a little harder because you need good speed, timing, and accurate articulation. But remember, too much expression will make you sound a little corny.

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Question

Do I need to have a perfect pitch to be a good musician?

Warren Lee
Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator
Warren Lee is a Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator based in Hong Kong. Lee is a concert pianist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and is on both the Steinway Artist and Naxos Recording Artist rosters. Lee was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2015. In 2017, he received the Ian Mininberg Distinguished Alumni Award from Yale University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Royal Academy of Music and a Master's degree in Music from Yale University. Lee also holds an MBA degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and an LLM degree in Intellectual Property Law from the University of London.

Warren Lee

Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator

Expert Answer

No, absolutely not. My wife is also a pianist, and while having a perfect pitch can be advantageous in specific scenarios, it is by no means a prerequisite. What is essential is the ability to refine your ear, achieved through extensive listening. This entails not only recognizing the sound of various elements but also comprehending the underlying narrative and technical aspects. To facilitate this, a basic understanding of music theory can be beneficial initially, allowing you to identify patterns and progressions. The goal is not to precisely label every harmony but to grasp the structural elements, similar to ADA, and to listen beyond the basics.

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Question

What skills do I need to have to be a successful musician?

Warren Lee
Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator
Warren Lee is a Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator based in Hong Kong. Lee is a concert pianist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and is on both the Steinway Artist and Naxos Recording Artist rosters. Lee was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2015. In 2017, he received the Ian Mininberg Distinguished Alumni Award from Yale University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Royal Academy of Music and a Master's degree in Music from Yale University. Lee also holds an MBA degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and an LLM degree in Intellectual Property Law from the University of London.

Warren Lee

Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator

Expert Answer

Many artists possess the ability to create and produce art, yet it seems that their proficiency on the business side is not as pronounced based on my observations. Successful artists, in my view, have a grasp of essential skills such as sales, general branding, content creation, and the effective distribution of their work across various platforms. It's not solely about creating exceptional art or music; it's equally crucial to navigate the channels that enable proper promotion. Fostering relationships is vital. I recall reading an article emphasizing the concept of cultivating your first thousand true fans, underscoring the importance of developing a loyal following by giving people a reason to care. So, it boils down to creating fans, building relationships, and understanding how to promote oneself effectively. This involves knowing what type of content resonates with an audience and tailoring it for various platforms, websites, and social media channels that the artist utilizes.

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If I join a band, would it help me to perform better?

Community Answer

It can. You're more likely to practice your instrument and improve your skills if you know that others are counting on you to play well.

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Tips

Have a main instrument. Though you should know more than one, have one main instrument that is your strongest.^{[10]
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Warren Lee
Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator

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Record yourself playing and listen to find any mistakes you are unaware you are making

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When you are performing on the stage. Feel the music inside let the audience see you enjoy what you do. Don't just go there and stand like a statue follow the rhythm, if it's a sad song let it reflect on your face. Don't be crowd shy just go there and do your thing, carry the audience along show them you are good at what you do.

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