Are All Musicians Attention Seekers? Not All, Obviously. A Look Into Motivations

A thought came to me recently. Sometimes, I would reach out to people who play instruments and ask if they would like to do something together, or perform as a guest in the band.

The most common response is along the lines of, “Oh, no…I don’t want attention”, “Uhh, I don’t really want to be famous or anything…”, and so on.

Right after their response, I’m here thinking, “Who said anything about attention or fame? I know I didn’t!” I don’t even want to be famous, and would hate to have 10k+ followers all up in my business. But it’s crazy how many people thinking being on stage will automatically mean they’ll get a lot of attention.

Yes, people are looking at you, but they don’t really know you. They probably don’t know your name, and won’t remember your face 2 days later. They may enjoy the performance in the moment, but if it’s new to them, they won’t remember that either. I’m aware of this fact.

But as an artist or a musician, after practicing or working on something for so long, the only way you’ll get to do anything with that is if you perform it (on stage, in a video), or if you present it (upload the audio or a MV).

For some, they have no reason to work hours and days or months on something if they don’t plan to do something with it. But of course, that’s not everyone.

So in this article, I thought it would be fun to look into the motivations of musicians. While some do go on stage and love the attention and fame, there are many other reasons that push people to practice and learn.

Feel free to skip my story, I have 7 reasons after. However, if you’re trying to understand yourself and your own motivations, it may be worth the read!

My Story & Personal Motivations

For me, it was never about being famous or getting followers, I’m just a very goal oriented person. While I may start learning things for fun, it’s hard to put in the time to master a song or a dance if I don’t have plans to perform it at some point in time.

The main reason I picked up guitar as an adult was because I still had a band dream I wanted to fulfill. However, it’s hard finding dedicated, motivated people with similar music taste. Since I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen, I didn’t even learn any songs in my first year. I focused more on scales, chords, improv, techniques, more transferable skills. But once I started this band, I started learning songs quickly and thoroughly cause I now had a purpose, and I will admit, I made a lot of progress as a musician.

As for performing, I’ve performed many, many times. In elementary, it was normal for classes to learn something, like a song or a dance, to perform for the school during assemblies. In middle school, I joined choir in Grade 8. The same year, our school joined together with many other schools and we got to perform at Roy Thompson Hall with a famous jazz singer. Also had a teacher who taught me and 3 others a ribbon dance for multicultural assembly.

In high school, I performed so many times. Sung with a friend at talent shows, sang with the choir the 1 year it was around, danced with clubs. I’m especially fond with my memories with the Drumline. In grade 9, they were sponsored, so everyone who joined was new.

But within 2 years time, we got to perform at quite a few places, including Juno Hoops, Jane & Finch Mall, Massey Hall, and some event downtown. We also did a 2 day trip to the states to see a drum line competition. They’re so big in comparison to our 10-12 member band.

Our school was also sponsored by the Argos and got a new football and cheerleading team. I always thought cheerleading looked like fun when I’d watch Family channel shows like High School Musical. People already called me Miss Smiley too, so of course I auditioned. And before you ask, no, we were not popular. Being from a ‘hood’ school (thus the sponsors), people didn’t like us, but that didn’t matter. I had fun cheering, and tryna make em smile! 😉

Friends also asked me to join drama club as they were planning to put on a real production that year (Little Shop of Horrors) and they didn’t have enough people. I said, ‘sure, why not?’ Auditioned for a side character and had a blast learning and singing with them. I also choreographed a martial arts fight with two other friends…we were true weird weebs lol Really wished someone recorded it ;____;

As much as I loved instruments, though, I rarely had opportunities to perform. I always wanted to be in a rock band, but didn’t have friends to join me. I only performed alone twice, once was the piano at church. A member overheard me practicing in a room and wanted me to play. Oh gosh, I’ve played piano casually over the years, but when my hands get clammy, I’m prone to mistakes and rushing ;____;

The other time was viola at school. When I started high school, a new music teacher came in same time, but we still had the previous music teacher as well. I spent a lot of time with her as she was in or hosted every musical extracurricular I was in, and she was also my music and French teacher in Grade 10.

She hosted violin/viola lessons after school that year. Only about 8 or so students came out. I got to learn alongside some friends. I don’t remember us practicing for more than a semester though, as I think the musical became a priority, and most of us were in both of them anyways. Sadly, both teachers ended up leaving at the end of my Grade 10 year.

It was sad that we never got to rehearse or perform anything, so I wanted to do something with what I learned. The instruments were there, unused and untouched, and I figured I won’t always have access to them in the future. So I would borrow one and learned a song by ear after school.

I decided to play Every Heart by Boa from Inuyasha, (yes long time anime fam here). It was a way to bring things round circle and show my appreciation to have the opportunity to learn. Sadly, even though it was recorded, she will never see it as she passed away 5 years later at the young age of 32. I’ve learned so much from her and she’s certainly an inspiration to me. I’m happy she got to do what she loved, sharing her love for music as a teacher and playing in an orchestra.

There’s been other times I’ve performed where no one knew my name, and I didn’t know anyone in the audience. Great example was 2019. Before that year, I made a few Jpop dance covers on Youtube (no real views honestly), and I met the host of Toronto Harajuku Style through a band member in my first attempt who would perform at her events. I simply asked about performing, and she said I can join them as a guest dancer.

I haven’t been on stage since high school, so I was super happy. I used a fake name and didn’t tell or invite a friend. Right after we danced, I changed and blended in with the crowd. I did what I set out to do, and hopefully the crowd was entertained, but I didn’t need any attention. I just had fun practicing with these cool ladies and getting to really dress up for the first time (my fam never celebrated Holloween).

So at least for me, attention is really at the bottom of my list. I like having goals to work towards as an artist/musician, and I do like entertaining others for a moment. If it’s a new or fun experience, even better! I’ll even do or volunteer the embarrassing roles cause I’m not afraid to put myself out there, though I also know people won’t remember me in a few days or weeks.

I actually came across these photo from a high school camping trip as well. We were put into groups and were to design something out of garbage bags, toilet paper and tape…and then one person from the group would have to go up and model it. No one in my group wanted to do it, but I didn’t really care, so I volunteered. I think I was the only girl who went up now that I’m seeing the other photos too ^^”

I just think it’s fun to put yourself out there. Even if you’re nervous, (and I’m pretty sure everyone has some kind of stage freight), it’ll only get easier the more you do it. Even if you don’t do well, it’s a learning experience! People won’t remember your performance anyways. So at least you can pat yourself on the back for pushing through it and aim to do better next time you’re on stage.

Lindsey Stirling felt the same when she didn’t move on in America’s Got Talent. I love this interview below where she recognized the judges were right, she wasn’t ready to do crazy dances and play.

Instead of giving up, she worked harder to improve her craft and a better performer. It’s so easy to be sloppy and let things slide when you’re only practicing and trying things in the privacy of your own home, but putting yourself out there allows you to recognize your own short comings, maybe get some critique and advice, and work towards doing better next time.

Lastly, I just want to inspire people. I know how hard it can be picking up an instrument as an adult, and feeling like everyone is light years ahead of you. I started my Instagram as a personal journal from beginner to stage, and so I can see my growth and not get discouraged, but I was also hoping it would push other beginners to try, or inspire others to pursue their biggest goals and dreams.

My mom always wanted to learn guitar, so her interest peeked when I started taking it seriously. She bought my first guitar off me (I said she didn’t have to), and I printed out chords and easy church songs for her, but she has yet to touch it ^^” My unofficial grandma downstairs also had some fun.