Balancing Work And Play With Your Creative Partners

All Work And No Play Makes For A Dull Experience

Being in a band is fun, but it’s also work. A lot of work. So much work that it can turn into a job.. (shudders). There’s nothing wrong with that though. As long as you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life, as the saying goes, however with work there needs to be play. Balance is crucial because play inspires work very often, and they feed into each other.

“Come Out And Play…”

Encouraging play time with collaborators is a great way to detach from the brain, and also a wonderful way to grow together. Seeing each other in an environment where you are engaged in activities that have nothing to do with work, or even if it does, but in a more passive way, helps you not only get to know each other more, but it is a terrific stimulant for new and inspired creativity. With my collaborators, I like to go to concerts, do nature excursions, see movies, and even go to events and gatherings where we aren’t going to be so inclined to promote or network. It’s good to be removed from the grind of spreading the gospel of your project endeavors.

Music, Collaboration, Creativity, Health & Wellness, Music EducationJimmy ClarkOctober 28, 2019 Comment

I’m In An Open Relationship.. With My Instrument

My Name Is Jimmy, And I’m A PolyAmorophonic Instrumental Non-Monogamist

“Say what?”, you may be wondering …

I enjoy describing myself this way in jest at times when the opportunity presents itself, as “Polyamorophonic” is my twist on the word Polyamory, which is a relationship practice of having “many loves”, or in other (simplified) words, an open relationship. This is how I feel about instruments. Why enjoy just 1 when you can find love with 2 or 3.. Or 4… Just like with an open relationship though, make sure you spend enough time, energy, and attention to each of your beloveds. I mainly split my time with Guitar and Piano, and though Guitar is my primary, Piano is a very close secondary. I find immense fulfillment in my interaction with both.

Why Learn 1 Instrument When You Can Learn 3?!

Music, Music Education, CreativityJimmy ClarkOctober 21, 2019Funny, PolyComment

3 Ways To Stay Motivated

Motivation is something that seems to come and go. What is it that drives us to pursue something? Where does that fire originate, and more importantly, how do we keep that fire lit? Motivation, the thing that pushes us forward, but the thing that also can be daunting and overwhelming. How do we wrestle this beast into serving us instead of scaring us? Here are some tips I can share from my experiences:

1. Gimmie fuel, gimmie fire, gimmie that which I desire!! YEAH!!

Music Education, Musings, Creativity, Health & WellnessJimmy ClarkMay 20, 2019Comment

5 Reasons Musicians Can Benefit From A Yoga Practice Routine Blog

I have been a yogi almost as long as I have been a musician. I started music at around age twelve, and I found yoga probably somewhere around sixteen or so, and both have been constants in my life ever since. To write about each and every time yoga has made it possible for me to keep being a musician would take one hundred thousand words, as would describing all of the times that music and yoga have crossed paths on my journey. I will certainly try here, in this blog,to quantize my experiences into a few worthy bullet points intended to help musicians and yogis bridge the gap between their worlds.

Musings, Health & Wellness, Creativity, MusicJimmy ClarkMay 19, 2019Comment

5 Tips For Successful Collaboration

When collaborating, there are many dynamics at play. These dynamics can include elements of individual personality characteristics, quantity and quality of egos, experience, and onward. Collaboration is an ever-evolving process and practice, and with time it can yield the sweetest of results creatively, no matter what your medium. Following are some tips on how I have personally cultivated my creative relationships.

1. Check Your Ego at the Door

Musings, Collaboration, CreativityJimmy ClarkMay 17, 2019Comment

Going outside your comfort zone to find Inspiration and the roots of New Creation

Down time is crucial, plain and simple. Even in alchemy, there is a phase called separation, where the matter breaks apart and reveals new characteristics and qualities that can be utilized in new and exciting ways. The important thing though is to allow time for such a process to occur.

More importantly, while it’s good to be able to be a driven, creative person, nurturing a life outside the walls of creation is incredibly valuable for maintaining a sense of personal balance.

Musings, Creativity, Health & WellnessJimmy ClarkMay 16, 2019 Comment

5 Ways To Be Healthy As A Creative Professional

The arts industries are often rife with stories of decadence, debauchery, and all too often, unfortunate outcomes. The old mantra “Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll…” rings all too true. It kind of comes with the territory, and really any industry is going to experience crossovers. Music and video are often synced art appears in TV shows and on posters for concerts, fashion utilizes all of these elements, and so on. It’s all connected. And the reality is that in these industries, more so than say, being a grocery store regional manager, there are illicit substances, alcohol, late nights, parties, after-parties, and all of the things you can imagine. In many ways, it’s the nature of the industry and it’s apparent within all levels of the business. Provided in this list are some pieces of wisdom that I have collected over the years that have helped me maintain a personal standard of excellence, but most importantly, sustainable longevity and abundance.

Health & Wellness, CreativityJimmy ClarkMay 15, 2019Comment

JC Music & Wellness Blog