Hard Work and Patience
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- In this episode I keep it simple and answer two questions that needed a little more time and info than I could give in last week's Q&A. Hope things make a little more sense.
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I'm not a guitar player, but I play piano, because it's just fun figuring things out. I don't have the time to have any real proficiency. I paused this video to pass along a Duke Ellington quote I heard in Ken Burns' "Jazz".
"Good luck is doing the right thing at the right time in front of the right people."
Now I want to compare that what you say in the next 7 plus minutes...
A karate black belt is just a white belt who never gave up.
You are so amazing! Thank you for your videos, I love your honesty and such a positive and inspiring way of expression🙏✋
Thanks for the honesty. It was nice.
A really honest, upfront and informative video Mary. Well done and stay true to your dreams...
The people that do the best in there field love what they do. Work to hard at it, you can loose that love for the craft. Balance. Lastly when your feeling down, take a bit and reflect on how far you have come, sometimes in the end it was the journey and steps you took to get there is the true success remembered.
This principle applies to every thing in life. You can find a thing that gives you comfort and enjoy your weekends, or you can fight your way out and do whatever makes you feel awesome.
People do need to hear about these things since many seem to believe that being a musician is a walk in the park and makes you rich. A lot of artists and band members have regular jobs on the side. This is perhaps especially true today since music does not sell like it used to, partly due to streaming services and such. One should keep in mind that only a fraction of all musicians actually can live off the music they make. So thank you Mary for this honesty. Keep up the fantastic work! :)
Keep following your dreams Mary. Stay true and strive for excellence. We love you. 🎸 👍👏😉
Respect for the honesty. People look at certain personalities in music, Adele, Beyonce, Metalllica whatever, and see the success and the associated trappings. What they don't see is the hard work involved to get there. And yeah the luck element as well. Being in the right time in the right place or being an innovator. The Arctic Monkeys created a massive buzz for themselves via MySpace for example. I've read biographies on Guns N Roses and Nirvana, and they put the hard work, were in the right place and time and had luck. For those that make it thousands don't. Mary keep on being true to yourself and doing the thing you love.
Not sure Adele is a great example. She has only released three CDs. Of course her song writing and singing have generated great success but put me right if I’m wrong but I don’t see her of a great example of the hard work theory.
As someone who's been a part-time musician for decades now - I'm pushing my music harder now as I'm getting ready to roll back my day job. Thank you for the inspiration Mary. Yes, the news that it takes hard work is inspiring :D I can work hard for someone else and not get anywhere or I can work hard on my own behalf. Less money, but it feels a lot less like work when it's a passion.
You really do deliver Mary. Many reasons exist for delivering such very rewarding to watch video series. I really think you impulse to let us get to know you, the real you , vs. marketing Mary or showing us the goings on of a life that is music at the for and same with talented people around you. But taking questions that can only be answered by letting your viewers know you as in who you are instead of what you are was I think, having outdone yourself. A particularly musically inclined person will end up knowing Mary in a way others are unable Thanks for Tuesday Talks and the valid sense of knowing you - as a friend, a kindred spirit! Cheers!!
Your commentary is as honest and emotional as your music, Mary. I have two daughters right around your age, and they're in the same boat, working hard and trying to find their way in life, following their dreams. Wishing you continued success, and hope to see you perform live over here in the colonies in the future.
Thank you for your honesty. You're so refreshing.
Thank you!
Hi Mary, I love your honesty. It's not easy to always follow a dream, but good on you for following your heart. You are full of integrity and inspiring to other aspiring musicians. Skiing holidays are overrated anyway :) Keep up the great work.
Congrats Mary, someone finally speaks the truth about all the hard work and the reality of being a pro musician and Internet celebrity. "Internet wonders" are just people who have worked their arses off like crazy to get where they are. Thank you for this very healthy and honest statement. Cheers
Love this video!!
Mary, this is the best of the "Tuesday Talks" editions I have viewed. I applaud your honesty and your candor. Your insight is invaluable. My life experience is different than yours. I am a church musician so I get my "music fix" on the weekends (but that requires 20 to 25 hours per week of personal rehearsal to be ready for Sunday mornings). Music is an important part of my life-in fact, I cannot imagine life without it. There is no such thing as "luck." Luck reduced to its essence is simply being completely prepared to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. Nothing more, nothing less. Networking with other like-minded people is also important but nothing is as important as putting in the rehearsal time and taking care of business. You are doing that and I am certain that you will achieve your personal and professional goals. Keep up the hard work. You are very special and you make great music!!!
This is the most inspirational thing I’ve ever seen. My daughter is 15 and wants to be a drummer. She’s taking theory grades and violin grades as well as the drum grades. I’ve sent her this video which is better than anything any of her teachers could tell her. Thank you.
Thank you, Mary, for the real talk.
For anyone watching this, don't forget survivor bias; just because hard work is starting to pay off for Mary doesn't mean it will pay off the same way for everyone. If you work your ass off, you might eventually "get lucky" and build some traction. Maybe one in twenty who bust there ass will get lucky. The other nineteen will toil in obscurity. Hard work is a prerequisite, but not a guarantee. Dumb luck is always part of the equation.
Please understand I don't mean to diminish Mary's talent, hard work, and dedication. It's just good to acknowledge that it's not entirely up to us how things work out.
Dear Mary, I am indeed new to your channel and I am devouring all your Tuesday talks, and more. I am working back from the present so it took me some time to get here and find this.
I am not sure whether you are changing my life already, but I feel your warm and kind words are injecting something in me that I hope will change my life.
So thank you, so much!
Just wanted to echo most of the comments below. Its really nice to hear someone talk honestly and openly about how hard it is to achieve a career in music and how hard you have had to work. Thanks Mary
Well said,there is in my opinion no easy way to succeed in music. But what is success. I think the short answer is being content that after all is said and done you did what made you happy. I’m 64 years young and am planning on retiring into music. I think you’ve already succeeded just by inspiring this old man. I wish you all the happiness and success you deserve.
Mary - Thank you for all our hard work and patience. It's a cruel fact of life that the arts do not pay as well as they should. It's never money for nothing. I hope there will come a day when you can make a living making music full time and your fire burns as bright as ever. I am not a musician, but I have known many and I recognize you are "the real deal", there is no faking that. I wish you all good things because you deserve to be happy making music
Don't you ever lose that wonderful quality you have and uphold - that of Honesty. I truly hope for wonderful things for you! I can tell you favor the lunch you buy yourself because a free lunch just doesn't taste as good as the one you've slaved for! AND deserve!!!
Be Happy and feel good about what you're doing as you are going the right way about it! Truly enjoy yourself in what your doing and enjoy these years now because you will look back on them... just don't be too critical as you 'are' a very lovely, level headed lady who deserves things that make you "smile" ! Do things that make you Happy! You have a lovely 'smile'! I wish you the best!
Thank you for posting this! I work a 9-5 job, play cover shows on evenings and weekends with various groups, and write in the remaining time. Sadly, I live in an area where original music and art is not preferred, or able to be supported (I live in a small island province with an exceedingly high number of ridiculously good musicians, but a very small population). I have no delusions of "making it", I simply love to play and write. It can be extremely overwhelming and tiring trying to maintain a balance, but it is about hard work, regardless of the outcome.
Sure, in 20 years I might be worn thin, but I'll know I tried. I'll know I put in the effort to do what I love.
It's so very refreshing to hear someone say these things. Again, thank you for posting about it.
If you love it and get joy performing then all sacrifice is worth it. I find that true of my endeavours and I don't regret a day. Hope you continue to move forward. Good luck Mary 🤗
I dig your honesty on the matter i was having this converation with a coworker. I think some people have this misconception that doing music is easier than having a regular job and its alot more work than people think.
Thank you Mary for your honesty and for sharing your life. You are inspiring.
It's great that platforms like you tube can offer an audience to dedicated and talented musicians like Mary. I am envious that it wasn't and when I was trying to find an audience. I really do hope that the cream can rise to the top and both the creators and the audience can benefit. Good luck with your career!
Mary, your openness and honesty is just refreshing, awesome, and inspiring. Good on ya.
Hey Mary, I play very different music to you but you have a really good honest attitude. Total respect to you.
Candor, humility and several teasers for future possibilities - I'm intrigued! I'm sure you have moments of quiet desperation, but your persistence is inspiring to me. To thine own self, be true.
Way to go Mary! You're doing what you love and that it what it takes to be successful but more importantly, happy with your career. I wish you much success and happiness from the U.S.
More please - along with your festival tips video your most constructive and informative video I have seen so far. And a comments section full of many wise and insightful words to boot. Candid stuff from both sides of the camera. Great stuff.
I'll say it again Mary, thank you for your honesty+courage in and on a hostile platform! It's inspiring and simply amazing to hear you talk openly about your struggles and triumphs. Thank you again from the States!!
Mary this is a fantastic video. I'm in university and grappling with figuring out what I want to do with my life, and I can feel the clock ticking with only one year left. I need to put my head down and push myself towards what I want to do and sacrifice some things. I might not know what it is yet but I know I want it to be something to do with music. God bless Mary x
Mary, thanks for your honesty and your hard work!! Your hard work shows through on the quality and content of your videos/music you create!!
I only discovered your channel recently... I really appreciate your honesty in this video. I can tell it was hard for you to explain at times.
My sister went into music on leaving college and I’ve admired her for it ever since. Being able to have your hobby for a job is fantastic, and few people get that opportunity. There are peaks and troughs as you touched on, but I think the sacrifice is worth it when you get those highs, be it through recognition (or £££ !). Hopefully those moments are what spurs you on.
Please carry on doing what you love. You have a growing audience who appreciate what you do. Thanks! (I signed up on your patron site the other day too - hope that helps! 🙂)
Thanks for sharing your life and for being so honest. I wish you continuing good fortune from the hard work you're putting in.
you have a beautiful thoughtfulness and honesty to your videos.
I love absolutely love Tuesday Talks. As my third year of university is coming to a start, I've been worried about how to balance working and going to school, and still finding time for music, art, and bettering myself at my skills. This video was very inspirational to me, while even if I never become a professional musician, I can still find time for it in my life if it is as important to me as I believe it is.
Love love love your determination and honesty. Your voice and playing aren't too bad either ;-) Just purchased both EPs and can't wait to get them!!! Wish you nothing but the best!!!
Mary, your answering these 2 questions we're great. Yep, I know all of the things one can go through in trying to make a living playing music. Your incredible honesty was so great to hear from you as well as about your own personal experience's so far. Any type of treatment that you've been getting as of late comes from all of your hard work from the past as well as right up to the present day, are well deserved. I truly wish you nothing but the best and much, much more success. Always keep your mind open and never stop learning and continuing to grow musically. It really does my heart good to see someone with your natural talent as well as still reaching for a higher education in music. However I do agree that I think you would have been better off at more modern music College or school instead of just learning Classical music and theory. I mentioned in another post that your recent affiliation with Anderton's Music is great and the guy that really knows his modern theory on the guitar and about music is Pete. I'm sure you must know this by now just listen to him play as he really knows how to use his theory when just playing a made up on the spot chord progression's. In any event you've said it best and most honestly that it takes HARD WORK AND PATIINCE. As for myself I'd also say an incredible amount of "DEDICATION" too. I'll be waiting for your next video no matter what the subject is about as far as Guitar's, Gear, Gigs, your vocal ability (which is absolutely incredible)!!! My best,
Hello Mary still loving the channel. Thanks for being so open and honest. It's refreshing to know.
Hi Mary. Thank you so much for this. It is exactly my situation right now. I'm about to graduate high school (18 years old) and I have to do something with my life. I am not the person to go and study to become a doctor. I have been believing that music is what I have to do since being 13 years old. Point is, I'm grateful to here the truth about that lifestyle instead of watching the fake stuff from a music video. Keep going!! You're doing great!!
Great and inspiring video, Mary. Very brave of you! Thank you for speaking so candidly and from the heart. You are amazing!
i enjoyed to listen to this video . its very honest and i like that that Mary . bravo
Your progression in this past year as been very cool to see. You've built an awesome channel, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Enjoy your channel and your spirit, you can make it! will be watching
Thanks for this ,Mary. I'm pulling for all of your hard work to pay off like you want it to. Anxious to hear more about your up-coming opportunities!
Always enjoy it Mary! I will stay tuned. Absolute! Thats what Value is all about..anything worth something takes sacrifice and the hard yards : ) you are on the right track.
Good job! It is traditional for an artist/artiste to 'struggle'; it goes with the territory. Your smile, your singing, your playing, and that little twinkle in your eye brings me back every time I see a new vid posted. Keep going, stay strong, work the craft, be kind to yourself, and most of all - chin-up!
FWIW: good stuff comes to those who 'struggle'. DV
This was really inspirational Mary. And something I defiantly needed to hear regarding really making the time to make more music. Thank you and cheers!
Really enjoy all your work... and remember whilst much of your day is hard work .. your friends on the traditional career paths aren't really working a 9-5 .. at least the medical ones aren't ..they got endless expensive exam fees and weekends to work .. Your decision to pursue your craft for a living was spot on..and whether you headline Wembley or not isn't really the issue.. whatever happens your a successful creative musician.. money can't buy that experience.
You deserve every success Mary. Great honest video. Really loving your stuff.
Hi from New Zealand Mary, it's all about hard work. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing your heart with us Mary . Keep working hard , Believe in yourself always and don't take shit from anyone..You'll get there. Sacrifice and perseverance are the key . I started making them back in my 20's towards being a full time musician , And it became more than I could bare..Or wanted to bare , So , I work during the day and love My wife, my son and my guitar in everything else...No regrets .......Thanks again :)
Mary thank you so much. Your such a lovely womam. Love your show and the great advice on giging for the single person
Thanks for your honesty. You're a breath of fresh air. :)
Thanks for sharing Mary. Love watching your videos. You rock!
Go for it
I wish you all the best. Thz for the openness and honesty.
Nothing but admiration for your conviction and dedication. I am one of those people who chose a scientific path and subsequent career over music back when I was a teenager. I have recently taken up the guitar as I cannot play the Clarinet any more ( I can always hear the 18 year old version of myself when I try to play now and this is 😬😔). I wish you all the best and look forward to your upcoming content et al.
You just made my morning Mary! thank you and i wish you the best of good luck.
To be honest, I was in a position at 26 years old to choose. I had a child, a good job, a new house and a record deal, if I signed....I chose well. Godspeed Mary. I think you are super cool and I truly wish you the best.
Thank you so much for sharing, you are truly inspirational, I love your honesty, happiness, motivation, and friendliness in your videos.
Thanks for your videos Mary, I look forward to watching them each week!!
Thanks for your dedication and love of music.
As inspiring than ever!
So glad I found this channel! As I told in an other video's comment, I'm 30 and just decided to all in for my dreams.. I quit keeping multiple jobs (and managed up how to adapt myself with this less-income-reality).. and It's awesome to listen to your story and see I'm in the right way towards the goal of doing what I love.. I'm really heartfully thankful for your words
Thanks for the honesty its refreshing cant wait to see what you have in. The works!
TH-cam has been an amazing vessel of opportunity for you and I'm glad you've taken us along for the ride. There are several people I follow closely on YT and I find that I'm always drawn to people who are honest and "real" and not just flashy.
Finding an audience here has given you a door that leads to...? I think you will let us know what that is because you have a gift of telling stories.
I'm very glad to have found your channel and always look forward to Tuesday.
Thank you!
Well said Mary. Well said indeed.
8:22 truer words have not been spoken...took me more than a few years to learn this lesson!
Mad respect Mary! You are an inspiration...you give me the courage and the kick in the butt I need to follow my dreams and commit...while remaining grounded in reality!
Thank you love! Wish you the very best :)
btw I just turned 27 last thursday!
and after watching the entire video..I have a question for you.
Everything said and done, is it worth it?
Inspirational stuff. Thanks very much for sharing. Hope the music continues to take off.
I'm glad I found your channel earlier in the year, I love Tuesday Talks and all of your honestly and candor. 😊
I can so hard core relate to this. I've got friends who are married with kids who are younger than I and i'm a newly moved out bachelor working a 9-5 as well working hard at my craft and thinking of ways to quit that job to make music my living. The sacrifices are worth everything. I would rather spend my evenings and weekends doing what I love to do than sit around (like im doing now haha) and just be lazy all evening. One thing non-musicians dont realize is that music isnt just a career for us but a lifestyle. We cannot turn off the music inside our heads and in our hearts. Its who we are as people which is fantastic! I've driven hrs back and forth from gigs before and ill do it again. Thanks for making this video and being vulnerable. Its not easy to do but so freeing
God bless you Mary don't give up on the dream
Thanks for sharing such honest insights to the realities of being a professional musician - keep at it
Hi Mary! I can relate to your experiences, a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Mary! Very good advice for anyone considering the profession.
Thank you for your honesty! I wish I had someone like you giving me advice when I was in my 20s. I have been doing the day job vs. part-time gigging musician balancing act for nearly three decades now, and it's been a struggle at times for sure. Best of luck to you - I hope your dedication pays off.
Open. Honest. Authentic. Great stuff!
Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you.
Thanks so much for your honesty, awesome video. Please keep them coming!
Excellent advice, Mary, thank you for sharing. As someone who did the corporate thing for a number of years before stepping back for health reasons and focusing on music (mostly teaching, but some performance and recording too), I'm well aware of the sacrifices involved... I'm in the fortunate situation now where my wife has a great job with good benefits, but that too comes at a cost - we left the UK for Hong Kong, where there's not much of a music scene. And approaching 40, I'm well aware that time isn't on my side! But we keep on at it, because it's what we love. Keep up the great work!
What a great video to make, thank you! I wish I'd found you 5 years ago. So much has changed in the industry and you're so inspiring. Thank you. Keep being you
Thank you for your commitment to music!
Thanks for being so upfront. I am currently a university student studying music and could understand quite a bit of what you were saying. I've already had my fair share of unpaid gigs and studio sessions. I also stumbled upon Gary Vee some time back and am trying to implement some of his mantras in my life (maybe I'll try my hand at social media). Thanks for being so honest, your information will be helpful.
its a long way to the top if ya wanna.....
Dont forget there is also talent (which you have).
Luck is where others notice the combination of talent and effort.
thanks for sharing.
Very interesting "Tuesday Talks" Mary. I have been following you for a while now and this is the vlog that I have enjoyed the most as I am in a similar position and have had the same thoughts over the years. I could not stand the thought in 10-20 years of regretting not giving music a chance. It is very hard to succeed and if the hours are not put into the jar, it will never fill up. Your honesty is highly appreciated as these things are hardly mentioned and people often just see or want to hear the "nicer" side of things. Keep up the good work Mary as you are doing good and getting a lot of exposure. Cheers from a fellow bass player.
Hi Mary, thanks so much for sharing your story. I am also passionate about my music but I took the path you didn't which is to have a conventional career. I think it was the right decision for me, but I'm glad you have taken the other path and we get to enjoy your art.
I love all that you do and i appropriate all your hard work please keep it up and keep positive and you will secede
I'm smelling a John Mayer collab :) Good for you Mary! I know musicians struggle in their careers, and I thank Lee Anderton for inviting you to Anderton's TV, which is how I found out about you. Stay humble, and keep writing songs. You're one of the singers alongside Metallica, Nirvana, Iron Maiden, that are an inspiration to me. And I've learned a lot from you. Thank you
Thank you very very much for this video and for answering my question, really appreciate it.
"and the wind...cries....Mary...!...! ", Please don't ever ever stop!
Thanks for sharing, Mary. Very inspirational...
Hi, Mary: You're gonna get to a point where the channel just keeps growing and growing-- and the "TH-cam thang" will become your full time gig. No doubt in my mind, don't even fret about it. You communicate well, you're photogenic, and your film making skills just keep getting better and better.
Also-- I was playing your Police cover song and my wife walked by and said, "Wow! That sounds great!!"
I have nothing but respect for you. I tried so hard to be a musician in the early 2000's I was freshly graduated from the Guitar Institute in Wapping and thought I would get work easily. 2000-2005 I gave it everything I had, working 9-5 for regular money, gigging, practicing, recording every other available hour. After 5 years, I was broke. Someone wrote off my car whilst it was parked and I couldn't afford to fix it, or buy a new one (insurance gave me £250) and I had no way to get to the work I had lined up, including my day job. I looked at the state of my life, looked at what my friends were doing and decided I was going nowhere and my long term future looked bleak. The brutal truth was that I was neither good enough, or thick skinned / pushy enough. I applied for a job as a ski rep (aged 27) to take a break and my world changed, I've not been back to the UK since and I have settled in Europe. 12 years later and I can't imagine ever stepping into that world again. I still love music, I still play, but as a hobby. I have massive respect to anyone who can carve a career out in this industry. The energy and drive required is enormous. I wish you nothing but success.
Great video. If you give 100% effort, you will never have to wonder "What if I had taken a music career seriously,? Where would I be?" Wherever you wind up, you gave it your all and answered that question. No regrets.