Tommy Emmanuel said something interesting in his recent interview with Joe Bonamassa. He said we live in an era where everyone thinks their opinion matters. I’m taking this out of context – what Tommy meant was that everyone thinks they should be able to go online and post something that should have the weight of an expert, even though most people aren’t experts on the subject they’re posting about.
A lightbulb went off in my head. I’m not an expert about most of the stuff I post about. Tommy’s right – me posting my opinions on my website is a self-indulgence. To make me feel good about myself? This was something to think about.
When I look at my YouTube channel, it’s not really an “opinion” channel. It’s mostly me sharing something I know that someone might find useful. That’s teaching. Ding ding ding. I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I taught in 4th and 5th grade for 5 years. Then I taught education technology to teachers and others.
I think my website needs to learn from my YouTube channel. Very few people care about my opinions on death metal. I shouldn’t teach my opinion. But a 2nd year guitar player can teach some things to a 1st year guitar player, and I can teach some things about music and the music biz that I actually know about. That’s what needs to happen here on this site.
So what about this post? Is this teaching anything? Yes. I’m putting my thought process out there and maybe one person will read this and say “Hmm. That makes me want to think.” I’ve never had a record contract so I can’t talk about that. I have sold and licensed my own music, so I can talk about that. I’ve done gigs in both a band and in solo situations. I’ve learned how to refret a guitar. I don’t know how to book a national tour. I do know how EQ works.
I need to remember that my hobbies online (this website and my YouTube channel) can make a positive impact, but only if I remember that I should be a teacher, and not an expert opinion-giver.
