Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matt Weisberg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Matt, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I am grateful indeed to make a full-time living from creative work.
Because I have training and have dabbled professionally within so many genres in the music business, I can generally say the following with confidence: There is often an inverse relationship between the financial scope of the project and the artistic freedom granted!
For example, doing a high-paying recording session or film score generally means there’s a lot of ‘cooks in the kitchen’; producers, directors, conductors, etc. The more opinions, the less freedom.
If, however, I take a $200 jazz gig at a club, I can mostly express myself and do whatever I want!
I also teach quite a bit as it is often both rewarding and a steady source of income. Because I curated the technology to such a degree to do remote instruction during the pandemic, this has become something of a mainstay and allows me to live wherever I want!
In the way of major steps I wish I could have sped up the process, I wish that,
1. I trusted my intuition and not others’ opinions
2. I had worked on my weaknesses
3. That I took more risks
4. That I started my own business earlier
Matt, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am predominantly a session pianist, producer, composer for tv and film, and a college professor. Most of my professional life has been in Los Angeles.
I started playing piano at 5 years old and really just haven’t stopped since! (i think i’ve tried, but I can’t!)
I considered myself more of a guitar player from ages 13-17 but then i heard Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett and the rest is history…
I’m trained as a jazz and classical pianist and subsequently a college professor and educator. I think I’m best known for being able to sight-read, improvise, and I’m also a music producer for tv/media.
So, it’s not just one thing.
I think that’s why people hire me; having so much experience in different areas of the music business. When I’m playing in a band, I often like to try to hear myself as a music producer and “mix” my sound as I’m playing!
I think perhaps of note is that I quit my job as a college professor a couple years ago and started my own business online; teaching lessons, masterclasses, and recording sessions. This allowed me to live anywhere (hence, San Diego) I’ve also moved around and utilized that freedom to about 6 different states in the last couple years.
In addition, I’ve had other interests through the years. I happened to start writing about politics in 2020, created a blog and public persona, and ended up professionally consulting for large production companies (for example, “baltimore productions”/Barry Levinson for an upcoming documentary).
I’m also just picked up photography and it’s starting it’s own business!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Bar far, the most rewarding aspect of being “creative” is the process, itself. There have been many awards, honors, and earnings, but the actual moments of hard-won improvement are the most satisfying.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I’m specifically a fan of this video from Chick Corea, where he talks about mentorship and the process of improvement. Of course, there are many ways, but I think his advice applies to almost every field; creative or otherwise. I show it to all of my students!
The “Secret” to Improving Your Rhythm and Time by Chick …
YouTube · Chick Corea
Feb 6, 2015
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mattweisberg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wizebag/
- Yelp: https://www.thumbtack.com/profile/services/412990631308828676/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/matt-weisberg
- Other: https://www.socialdisinfluencer.com
Image Credits
Matthew Weisberg