The Name of the Game...

... is collaboration.

All artists collaborate in one way or another, you must in order to succeed, and the most successful artists instinctively know how to work with others. More importantly they know their work will be better with the input from other people. Collaboration frees you up to do what you do best.

This brings me to guitarist, musician, artist David Broza who performed at Flashpoint Academy yesterday afternoon. Broza believes his gift is creating music not writing lyrics, so over the course of his 30-year career, he has actively sought out collaborators to write the words set to his music. He works with writers, poets, finds stories from current events he wants to sing about and has someone else write the lyrics for his songs. And I forgot to add he works in three languages- Hebrew, Spanish and English- and he is a self-taught guitar virtuoso.

A student asked him how he goes about finding these people to work with, and the short answer is that he picks up the phone, makes the call and asks. It's easier now for him of course because he is famous, but it is the same method he has used since the 1970s. This is an important lesson to all of you eager artists out there- ask for help, especially if you are passionate about your work- you will find that simpatico person.

In the meantime check out David Broza and add some of his music to your collection.

http://www.davidbroza.net

PeterH