Having a reverence for art is an essential part of creative growth, so I'd like to spend some time discussing humility in music, and how easy it is to let our egos affect our quest to become the best that we can be. Some of this might sound familiar to you if you've read past articles in the series, but once again I feel that it's an issue that we're confronted with all the time, and therefore warrants our continuing attention.

It's kind of funny. No one that I know really likes or appreciates someone who comes across egotistically, even if they can "back up the talk" with their acquired skill. Yet there's a fine line between being perceived as egotistical and being perceived as confident, and the case can clearly be made that the best and most successful musicians are those who exude confidence with a healthy ego.

When you stop to think about it, confidence is not only a trait that we want to possess ourselves, but one that we highly relish in others, regardless of profession. For instance, if you have a medical problem that deserves attention, you certainly don't want to be left in the hands of a physician or a surgeon who lacks confidence. And if you have a music teacher or coach, the last thing you want is to feel that the path you're walking is an uncertain one, especially with all of your precious time invested in daily study.

Now, when a person sounds very confident it can often be misconstrued as egotistical, and whether it is or not depends on the individual. However, I think the more important issue lies in the title of this article, because it's awfully difficult to repeatedly beat your chest if you really possess a genuine humility for your art, a humility that stems from years and years of graciously appreciating the work of your fellow artists, and humbly learning as much as you can from them. After all, a true artist is never bigger than the art itself.

Can you be, as the saying goes, "humble to a fault?" Yes, you most certainly can, and unfortunately I've seen this tendency exhibited in many fine players whom I've had the pleasure of working with over the years. It's not all that difficult to understand how this can happen. With so many great musicians setting such high standards due to their obsessive work ethic and devotion, it can leave an aspiring player simply awestruck when comparing their own skill level and commitment to their mentors, even if that ability richly deserves recognition.

Where I see this becoming a problem is that artists who are too humble often lack the confidence to promote themselves properly, so while their well-deserved skill often goes by unnoticed, others far less-deserving, far less humble, and far more egotistical reap the rewards that come with exposure. The benefits can range from general popularity to financial gain. This is why it's so important that we strive to achieve a balance between respect for our art and the healthy, confident ego that I spoke of earlier. Too much or not enough humility are the extremes that should be avoided at all costs.

I wrote another article a while back on the subject of perception or deception, and this is obviously yet another case in point. Those who lack real ability gained through the humble pursuit of the art, yet are egotistical and confident enough to be very convincing, are perceived as being the "real deal," when in actuality they are clearly deceiving themselves and others. Advice? Respect the craft and work hard, but be very proud and confident of your skill. "Walk softly and carry a big stick!" (T. Roosevelt).