We were lucky to catch up with Jon Shields recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I learned to do what I do through a long line of very kind and generous teachers. Whether it was music, theory, lifestyle, career advice, or big choices and splitting directions; I’ve always had someone to ask and consult with. Namely my amazing parents, but I think there is something to learn from everyone. Every step of the way I’ve picked up pieces from my first guitar teacher to my college professors lecturing on the history of music. There is always something to learn, and the first thing I learned was to always be learning! That’s a lot of learning….
Choosing skills and moments that are “most essential” is hard because everything helps in its own little way. As an example, it reminds me of when people say, “it doesn’t matter much what you do in middle school or high school because you’ll change and the world will open up and you won’t even remember… etc.” I agree that when you look back on your past, some decisions feel so insignificant compared to where you are now. I think you are suppose to change and grow, however you wouldn’t be who and where you are today if none of the events from your past happened. Maybe you had a high school sweet heart who you thought you really loved, but they ended up breaking your heart. It meant a lot to you at the time but maybe now you’ve had some more experiences with love and you’ve gotten a better, and more clear, definition in your head about what true love is. Perhaps you can look back on that high school relationship and laugh at yourself for putting so much emotion and energy into something that maybe wasn’t love at all. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t important. I’d argue it was all the more important that you experienced it because it was significant at the time and shaped who you are today, no matter how unimportant it seems now.
That’s a long-winded answer (or non-answer?) to picking the most essential skills because everything leads you to where you are, no matter how small. But if I HAD to choose, from a guitar perspective, the most essential piece for me was the theory part of music. It unlocked so many pathways for me career-wise and helped me understand the “why” behind all the music I was playing (and wanted to be able to play). From a foundation of music theory I could take gigs and learn things on the fly just because I knew how things fit together musically in different genres as well as help artists write music.
HOWEVER, theory didn’t come into my atmosphere until college. So with that said, it definitely isn’t necessary starting out. To start out in music I think the most essential skill is to learn to love the process of figuring things out and practicing. If you figure that out you’ll be set for a life full of music, no matter how big of a part you want it to play in your growth, career, or hobbies.
Now for speed of learning. I’m a big believer that everyone learns and moves at their own pace, so what worked for me isn’t universal. Speeding up learning is great but not if it costs understanding and retaining the information. We’re moving into a “faster is always better” way of life and I’m not so sure I agree with it. Move at a pace that lets you fully comprehend concepts. The best way to do this musically is with a private teacher. The two semester college school system worked great for me, but it may not for you. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong, move to the beat of your own drum!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
My name is Jon Shields and I’m a musician and instructor living in Nashville, TN. I blend soulful guitar with multiple genres from R&B and country all the way to classical and jazz. Having played in bands with the likes of Mary Wilson of the Supremes, jazz trios, and in groups opening for top country acts, I’ve tried to build a reputable name as a guitarist and educator. I’ve been playing music since childhood but I like to say I got into the Music Business in 2012 because that’s when I got my first paid gig! I was a junior in high school at the time and it was so exciting to feel like this was something I could actually do!
I arrived in Nashville in the summer of 2019 and have been working steadily since; lending my hands to producing artist demos, working as a hired gun, helping artists develop their songs, co-writing, mixing and mastering, session work, and teaching. For 2022 I’ve shifted directions from live music and created a unique recording schedule to release at least one song every two weeks for the whole year.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Don’t be afraid to pivot, adapt, and change! For a very long time I saw myself as a singer-songwriter. I wrote songs and recorded them but every time I got up to perform live there was always one thing I felt insecure about: my voice. I never had any professional vocal training, all of my music training had been on the piano and guitar. I still played live and sang my little heart out but always felt like my voice was holding me back. I moved out to Nashville and continued my singer-songwriter career until my big realization. This singer-songwriter identity was one that I had been holding on to for so long I hadn’t even considered that it didn’t have to be who I was. After laying it all out I looked at what actually made me happy with my music and it always came back to the guitar. I decided to change habits and start thinking of myself as a “guitarist” and “musician” rather than a “singer-songwriter.” I’m much more confident behind a guitar than a microphone and if you’ve read “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, you’ll know that a change in your self-identity can have huge results in your processes and outcomes. I still sing from time to time but no longer feel like it’s holding me back now that I’ve double-downed on being a guitarist and musician.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I think “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson should be a required book for everyone. I read it every year because it opens up such a different view of the world than what we’re used to hearing. I think it’s an excellent book for everyone but specifically creatives because it forces you to ask yourself if you’re taking yourself too seriously. It brings up the idea of how sometimes we do things because we THINK it’s what someone else wants (or an audience, or a market, or the world wants). Should we be doing something just because we think it’s what someone else wants? Maybe sometimes, especially if you’re in the marketing game but also don’t forget about you and your wants/desires/dreams. People-pleasing can be a dangerous game. Why are you doing what you’re doing? Did you put out that pop song because you really like it or did you put it out because you think it’s what will make the most money? Now there’s nothing wrong with money, or wanting money. Maybe that’s your driving force in what you’re doing, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just make sure you know why you’re doing something. Figure out your “why,” and don’t compromise WHY you’re doing it for what you THINK someone else wants.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyperfollow.com/jonshields
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonwshields
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathonshieldsmusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-shields-95023ab0/
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/jonathon-shields-1 https://jonshields.bandcamp.com/ https://www.guitarlessonpros.com/east-side
Image Credits
Ian Shields and Damon Wolfe