Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jon Shields. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jon, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
In music and writing, persistence is key. There are plenty of people who will tell you “no” for one reason or another.
The first step in my journey for persistence was figuring out WHY I was doing what I was doing. I spent a long time trying to create the perfect lyrics, songs, licks, etc for who I thought might be listening. Trying to please an audience that I didn’t even have yet. It took a long while (and an immigration to a entirely new part of the country) to look in the mirror and ask myself what I was doing. What I found out was that if I were to compose, or write, or whatever it may be, with myself in mind rather than a figment audience that I was trying to please, that it was much easier to handle anyone saying otherwise. If you create things for YOU then it really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. If you’re happy with what you’ve created, no one can take that from you.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a jazz and classical musician/instructor who has been living in Nashville, TN for the past 4 years but I’ve been in music for MUCH longer! Having roots in piano and moving to guitar while young, I was lucky enough to have a string of amazing teachers and influences in my life. What amazes me most is how far this hunk of wood with some strings attached has brought me through life. From playing guitar for Mary Wilson of the Supremes to dive bars and dark jazz clubs: I’ve loved it all. My most recent project has been an instructional method book for guitar. I think what sets it apart from a lot of the media surrounding guitar today is that it dives deep into the Theory side of music. I believe it’s just as important to understand the language of music as it is to have the technical abilities to play an instrument. Music Theory connects all instruments, it’s a way to communicate with other musicians and I don’t think the importance and efficiency of it can be overstated. Be on the lookout for “Beginner Guitar for the Aspiring Musician” soon!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Rather than three things… I’ll split the question in half and do two.
For me as a musician – I’d say Music Theory has been the number one area of knowledge that’s helped me. Having the technical abilities to do something is so important, but if you also know the concepts of why it works, why it sounds the way it does, and where it can go, it can open up plenty of opportunities. One great example is understanding chord structure and being able to learn a new genre of music just based on your knowledge of progressions and popular scales in a genre.
As an instructor – the most important skill that I’ve gained and used is adaptability. Not every student is the same, therefore every student shouldn’t be taught in the same way. We know there have been studies done on different learning styles (visual, auditory, etc) but how many music instructors actually put it to practice? I see it as a clear destination with different routes to get there. For example, the end goal could be to learn play a jazz standard. For me, as a musician, I would start with listening to the song, then figure out the chords, then the melody, and finally soloing over the form. However not everyone thinks like that. For someone else it may make more sense and be more efficient if they were to start with learning the chords, then the melody, then listen to a recording to hear a different interpretation of what they played, and finally a solo. Neither is “correct” they’re just different. That’s just one example, but applying adaptability to a teaching structure has many benefits for everyone.
How would you describe your ideal client?
That’s a great question… when I think of “client” for me I associate that with student or another musician hiring me for a gig. An ideal student in my mind would be anyone willing to learn. The first step of being good at anything, strengthening your mind, or just acquiring a new talent is a willingness to learn. It sounds crazy to say it but you’d be surprised the different levels of openness when it comes to learning something new. If you’ve heard the term “coachable” or “un-coachable” when it comes to athletes, it’s the same thing with musicians. If someone comes to you thinking they already know everything or are just closed off to new experiences they won’t get very far in any new journey they set out on. Everyone has something they can teach you, you just have to be open to finding out what that is.
As for an ideal musician hiring me for a gig… the first thing that comes to mind is being a good hang. For the non-musicians out there, this is a term we use to describe the atmosphere when you’re around someone. If you’re a “good hang” then people can be comfortable around you and the atmosphere is light. People can let their guard down and bounce ideas off each other. Where it comes in the most handy is on the stage though. If everyone is getting along on AND off the stage it’s way more enjoyable to play and the music just sounds better (I don’t know how else to say it, it’s true)!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonwshields/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-shields-95023ab0/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shieldsjon
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jonathon-shields-1
- Other: “Beginner Guitar for the Aspiring Musician” coming soon!
Image Credits
Jon Shields Gaby Gerken Graeme Shields
