Music is an art form that is appreciated universally. However, people rarely pull back the curtain and take into account how hard musicians work to make the songs they love. Amer Sal Mohammed is a visual artist, and he knows very well how determination and grit is sometimes ignored by people who enjoy art.
Becoming a musician is a dream for many people when they are younger. What draws people to the lifestyle of a musician is often the perks, like going to exclusive clubs, touring, and having people sing your songs. However, there’s a lot more to it than this. “People only notice the glitz and luxury but overlook a musician’s hard work,” says Amer Sal Mohammed. “Creating art—especially music—entails a lot more effort than the average person thinks.” Pop singers often sing other peoples’ words and melodies and only need to be a frontman for the public. Although their voices are beautiful, most musicians aren’t able to match this. “It’s not as easy as just getting on stage and having a beautiful voice,” he said. “If you want to be in another genre, you’ll have to work harder.”
First, you’ll have to learn to play an instrument. Most musicians are self-taught, which means a large amount of discipline is required. “If you want to make art, you have to practice every day, or at least as often as you possibly can,” says Amer. “Unless you’re the lead singer, you’ll have to be great at guitar, bass, or whatever instrument you gravitate to.” Moreover, most bands don’t have the option to have pre-written songs. They have to work together to write lyrics and melodies, which isn’t as easy as it seems. Your songs need to appeal to your potential audience, so you need to know the genre before you can write. It all takes time and energy.”
If you’re considering making art, Amer Sal Mohammed suggests that you go for it. Just make sure you acknowledge the challenges along the way.
