Role Model and Mentor
I LOVE to watch the Marvel movies! They re-create all of the superheroes that I read about in the comics as a kid. Those superheroes gave us a sense of hope and optimism about life. That no matter how bleak the situation, our heroes would save the day!
Well, in the lives of children, young adults, and young professionals, especially the lives of young musicians, which there are people who are real life heroes. I call them the “Power Twins” you know them as "Role Models" and "mentors"! They are people who take on the incredible task of impacting someone's life for the better, and the ripple effect can change the course of a person's life forever.
Let's look closely at the definition of role models and mentors: role models are people who serve as an example, e.g. values, attitudes, and behaviors associated with a role. For example, a father is a role model for his sons. Role models can also be persons who distinguish themselves in such a way that others admire and want to emulate them.
Mentors are an experienced and trusted person who gives another person advice and help over a period. Usually related to work or school. Mentors are vital to life and for a young musician, mentors can help young players avoid years of wasted energy on systems and concepts that don’t work in the real world of musical performance. Musical mentors help you form good practice habits and practical theory that can reduce years of musical wandering and frustration. In other words, you don't have to be frustrated with creating the formula. Get a music mentor!
When you see a living musical legend such as Aretha Franklin “The Queen of Soul,” you obviously know she is extremely talented and that her talent was evident at a very young age. Did you know that her father had her interacting with the musical greats of the day - Sam Cook, Jackie Wilson, Clara Ward, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum - which became an incredible resource in her years of development?
The great artists from the sixties mentored a lot of the artists from the 70’s and 80’s. With this element lacking in many artists today. Mentoring I believe is vital to experiencing a great music career and I'm not just talking about having a hit record. Mentors are the part of the Power Twins that show us how to do what we do as musicians and artist.
In the meantime, start to think and pray about whom you could pursue to be a mentor to you. Like in the superhero comic books, send out the signal for the Power Twins role model and mentor, it could change your life.
In the meantime, start to think and pray about whom you could pursuit to be a mentor to you. Like in the superhero comic books, send out the signal for the Power Twins role model and mentor, it could change your life.
Check out these two YouTube videos about mentors.