10 distinguishing attributes of the best musicians

•  A musician should be sociable, musicians like to perform with fellow musicians who are easy to get along with. This camaraderie transcends to their performances which is in turn felt by their audience. Also a good reputation will get you great referrals when you need to audition.

• Musicians  should be creative and in touch with the inner self, since most music attempts to communicate with the soul; music is a language without barriers; a language which speaks to all listeners, even if in different ways.

• A musician must remain optimistic - Remember that you got into music first and foremost because it was inspiring and FUN. Look on the bright side of things, take criticism constructively, and enjoy the process of "getting there".

• A musician must also be very creative in his composition, interpretation and improvisation, and he must be analytical. He must understand the form, structure, theory and style of the music.

• A musician must be able to balance long hours of solitary practice with times of intense teamwork and ultimately, public performance.
• One attribute that differentiates mediocre musicians from high-flying ones is an entrepreneur mentality. To be a musician at the top of his game, you must be self-promoting, innovative, creative, and a net worker.

• Musicians should be adventurous - Learn to love the adventure of driving around the country, sleeping in various places, and playing in dives. Take it all in stride.

• A musician that is really serious about going far in the music industry must be sensitive to emotional content; his ability to convey emotions deeply musically must be on a high.

• A musician must be very patient - From the studio to traveling to rehearsing to making business calls, being a musician requires attention to detail. It takes a lot of practice to get it down perfectly. Being patient and relaxed about the inevitable delays is necessary.

• Encapsulating all, a musician should learn to be thick-Skinned - From the time you first perform in public, some people are going to judge your music harshly. This might come from a label rep or a departing band member or a publisher, but you can't let it get you down. Keep believing in yourself, and move on to the next thing.