great to be a musician in 2024, eh?

Posting on social media, staying up to date with how algorythm works can be so frustrating as a musician, it seems like a never ending battle you don't even want to fight, you just have to. So in this not so short ranting video I want to introduce some of the problems I'm facing as a content creator and musician on social media, especially on Instagram and on some level on KZbin as well. I also came up with a solution how I can focus on community building more again.
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Right, the book I was talking about is The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin:
www.amazon.com/Creative-Act-W...
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Let me know what you think in the comments, and feel free to share your tips with others!
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[@beatrixguitar]

Hey guys, I'd really appreciate if you'd check out the description for the links and stuff I was mentioning in this video, but here are some of them again: www.patreon.com/beatrixguitar beatrixguitar.substack.com/ Cheers!

[@ToastandJam52]

I subscribe to your newsletter. Why not use this to inform us about updates on your channel?

[@bdclassicalguitarist]

When I open KZbin, I always start with my subscription tab because I want to see if there is new content from the people I follow. (I watched this video less than an hour after it was posted.) After that, I let the algorithm show me some new content, and I find new channels I want to follow. The algorithm can be annoying and helpful at the same time.

[@beatrixguitar]

That’s such a smart way to handle it, first catching up then checking out new creators! Love it

[@alaingrenier1163]

Same for me. It’s an easy way to use youtube for what it is. Keep up the good work Beatrix.

[@ricardoesparza6209]

Same here, I go first to my subscriptions. I don't have Instagram, I quit Facebook years ago and life is better without it. Just KZbin and podcasts for me. Beatrix I liked your podcasts and I think they have a lot of potential. I hope to hear another one soon. Thank you!

[@GregKryg]

“For me as a chronic people pleaser” (13:07) might be one of your challenges Beatrix. Be yourself. Listen to your intuition (sounds like you are from this video). If unchecked, social media platforms will either eat you up or force you to be someone you are not. Please do not let that happen. You be you. 😊

[@JoshGUITARofolo]

Thanks for making this video, Beatrix! So much of what you shared resounds with my experience as a creator, and I too am 100% fed up with social media and how difficult it is to build and reach your intended audience, especially when they're ALREADY SUBSCRIBED TO YOU. I've spent over 4 years trying to build this channel and have run into so many of the same challenges you described; it's super validating to hear someone else has experienced the same thing.

[@DiyWithAnaBei]

Dear Beatrix, that is so resonating with me...Thank you for posting this video! I am a diy channel creator...and I am absolutely fed up trying to develope it. As you said, creative things take time and the algorithm doesn't seem to understsnd it, it pushes your content only if you post daily...so it leaves you no time to reflect and create in peace...it just feels like a race, no fun to it anymore. I wish you to succeed so much! Please keep up the great work!❤🎶

[@tomekjankowski5576]

Your frustration is entirely valid. A few articles (blog posts) have emerged in recent months about how the music streaming services are following short-sighted strategies of pushing more established artists' music to listeners in their algorithms because they are better able to monotize them -- in the process making it far more difficult for newer artists to get their music in front of new listeners, which (if you think about it) is under-cutting the streaming services' own future revenues because they are sabotaging artists who could be the next big artists of tomorrow. The book you mentioned is spot-on, that for now, the primary clients for AI technology are the big firms (especially Big Tech) and so, not surprisingly, AI serves them and their interests foremost. Some day this will have to change. Stay strong --

[@Catalyst1764]

A bit of advice, don't focus on getting more of your subscribers to watch each individual video. It's like a restaurant wanting each customer to try each meal on the menu. Different people like different things. I subscribed to your channel because I'm learning guitar and found good advice videos on this channel. Every once and a while, when I'm comfortable with what I've learned so far, I look up a video I haven't seen yet from your or someone else's channel to improve more. The livestreams I'm less interested in, I just don't have the time. Meanwhile, I'm sure there are many that are interested in the livestreams but not in the videos I watch. Don't think of the subscribe tab as a contract that obligates someone to watch your videos, then wonder why your subscribers aren't watching. You'll just pull your hair out. Think of yourself as a buffet. Make the content you want to make, and people will watch what they want to watch.

[@guitarreglos1]

As a professional colleague, I send you a big virtual hug. I completely understand your difficulties. I wish you good luck, and I hope you find the right path for you :)

[@MartinTimothyTimko]

My father (born in 1950) was a DJ for many years. I listened to a lot of different music. I recently played KYGO and similar tracks for my dad and he was fascinated by the music. New music has its meaning, it is also progress in music. Classical guitar is like mathematics. Everyone respects it, but people mostly avoid it. I played classical guitar and jazz guitar as an amateur, I like this sound, it is a melancholic music. It is a minority, specially. But I switched to electric blues, because there is more tension. Jazz music is like masturbation. It is good for the individual. I think, that today is music is going in a good direction, paradoxically, but classical music also has its charm and place :)

[@Ramznet]

We don't own any of these platforms, we're just users and agreed to follow their rules. Rules we don't actually read. Good luck

[@99Gara99]

I came for the hand exercises, stayed for you energy, you sound honest and humble, something other youtuber musicians don't (and because that vlog feel you give to your videos I guess)

[@beatrixguitar]

That’s really kind of you, thanks for telling me that!

[@darahauspage]

Maybe do some live busking? In the states, it's pretty easy to do at a cafe. Look into local tourism spots near you?

[@smushjohnson9397]

Great rant. I wish I had any answers to this. I know nothing of how this stuff works. Though I do lay in the weeds a bit, and too busy for livestreams, I am very inspired and love your vibe and the quality of content and great community here.

[@beatrixguitar]

Oh I hope this didn’t come across as I expect my subscribers to watch every single upload of mine though 🫠 that would be a lot for sure 😅 thank you for your support!

[@smushjohnson9397]

@@beatrixguitar Oh you didn't come across like that at all. It was great. It's good to know what you and others are dealing with and it's good information to be aware of.

[@m.a.demers_Mdcountry]

Follower interaction is difficult when like you said i see everything except what i should be..i think you're amazing on so many levels...i like your insights and style..and i believe you are genuine... sorry you are tho.. 🎉❤

[@saleseng]

I hear a lot of music channels complaining about the atmosphere in the music industry right now and they are absolutely correct as far as it being so hard to be a musician today. Music has gone from genuine talented people to purely manufactured product very heavy on percussion and beats as a way to reinforce consumerism and to force people to accept that that is the only music they need. Especially effective on the very young who don’t know any better if they are not shown variety… there that’s my rant but I’m right 😆

[@beatrixguitar]

Yeah, I also feel the temptation not to experiment and explore new ideas but to follow the trends because they are safer. But then I wrote a guitar piece and even though it’s not a masterpiece, I’ve been so happy about it for like a week now lol! It always worth to be creative and do it your way, it’s just a bit harder and scarier

[@saleseng]

@@beatrixguitar 💯

[@aaronburrmusic]

As a musician and content creator, your video really resonated with me. Like a lot of people here, I'd like to thank you for posting it.

[@jimcrants7517]

I'm pretty fed up with algorithms. I have a lot of interests and hobbies, and I often want to know what's up with people who have other perspectives. All the algorithms are built to squeeze you into a tiny silo. As if I couldn't still be interested in running or D&D if I'm now looking up videos about classical guitar. Or I must not care what my friends on Facebook are up to because I slipped up and let myself argue with strangers about a stupid math problem, so that must be all I want to do now.

[@madDadMusic]

This sounds like a reasonable solution. As a fan of many content providers, and having friends that I would like to keep current; I have been very frustrated with algorithm changes that change my feeds.

[@mikeprice6658]

I really enjoyed your practice live stream last Friday.

[@maHaTma86]

As it was written in the book the order should always be: Inspiration > We create and learn / play it as good as we can, hopefully present the piece in our own feeling, in a different tempo, rubato or however the art reached our heart > and then on the last step its the listeners. I think thats the best way to represent art and not following a trend and probably learn a pop piece that we dont even like just to pop up at the trending algorhytm. Im just at the start of my musical journey 4th year selfteached guitarist and now with a new instrumant, a 8 choir lute and for me youtube was never a solution. Yes i still uploaded some of my impro sessions just to record it and represent the musical ideas that came up out of no where so i can finish them once i know more about musictheory and things that we need for writing music. On this day where i uploaded my things i did not even had the question on what i want to do with my music, where and how i want to present it etc. So i started a Channel on Telegram with all of my covers for myself, as a chronological archievement and of course to present it to humans too with no bad doubts about how many would youtube take from me if i had all the music here. Patreon is probably one of the best platforms we have right now cause listeners became so lets say conditioned to all those trending things, dances or whatever and forget that a musician wants to make the living from the art. I saw alot of videos from youtube and how big the cut is they take for the hard work we go through, learning a new piece over weeks or sometimes months just to be able to record it so that we can be happy with it. A big problem starts with all those Tiktok things that humans just have a attention span for the 1 minute and then their mind shuts up. So i asked myself the question, do i want to reach those humans or do i want to reach humans that are able to listen to a "lets look up to the stars" 16 minute long Ciaconna from J.S. Bach that i will play someday. Thanks for your open mind and the very important topic that goes back and forth every day in our head. Like i said im just at the start on my journey and i still want to thank you for your being, how lovely and authentic you represent your art and inspire others with it. Greetings from Germany, Christian.

[@katanafourzeronine]

Look at that thumbnail. Totally not being held at gunpoint.

[@kevinmaillet4712]

Lolololol

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

Agreed, Word working is important or we wouldn't have guitars to play. Agreed, the algorithms are throwing up subject based finds not subscription based finds / content. Annoying. Thanks Beatrix now I am off to grab a Fist Full of Tissues. 🤧

[@clixandru]

@beatrixguitar : This is an older posting and I think you already figured out some of this. For what it's worth, I am subscribed to over a hundred content creators and it's a challenge to watch all that is really new. I have multiple interests, so the content I am getting from youtube is lately very confusing, without a clear focus, and showing me related content for each topic is making it worse. I do have some thoughts about what you can do and I will email separately to your info address, if you have time to read. It is cozy to live in a bubble, but the challenge is that you will force yourself to do whatever keeps the bubble running, which is at the mercy of youtube, advertisers, and ultimately not really in your control. You don't need to get any stress due to those or spend your life spinning a hamster wheel. You are young, smart, and you can do better.

[@Therapyxx]

we are living in a time, where quantity is more important than quality. Companies are trying to push as much content as possible. I won't say that its definitely bad, on the left hand I always can meet new interesting channels, but on the other hand - I see a lot of trash content, which I dont wanna see at all. But anyways, I would wish to disable any kind of automatical functions, but it would be great to see such as manual.

[@BarryJacksonVocalist]

Hi just wanted to tell you , yes they,ve changed the Algorythm, what the controllers are doing, is stopping people reaching your audiences purely because they are so terrified of people becoming successful and making money or even gifting your talent out of pure jealousy because all they can do is own the socials and the internet, the reality is they dont want competitors that is my Rant in support of yours. I sympathise.

[@AHMAD_GH0]

❤

[@ToastandJam52]

I have almost given up on Instagram. First, for the reasons you mention. Second, far too much unrelated advertising. I quit Twitter years ago and don't miss what was once a great place to exchange ideas has become a cesspit. Meta, etc is killing the goose that laid the golden egg. I am hoping that what replaces Meta happens soon. You have a newsletter, why not use this to spread news about your channel?

[@beatrixguitar]

I do use newsletters but maybe that’s not for everyone. In my newsletter I always start with something inspiring for fellow artists, but many of my followers are not musicians so it’s not relevant for them. It’s more systematic you know? On patreon I can just post the things I just made and that’s it 😃

[@DragmoraProductions]

I don't like the search system on youtube. if u search for expample guitar music then u get some hits but then you tube starts recommend piano music and other things as recommended videos.

[@libertypastor1307]

They are creating a modern slavery system, where people have to constantly work harder and harder just to survive, while the owners of the platform get richer and richer. People like you, who really care about helping others are the only bright spot in the dungeon of the internet world system. Dont let them break you! Stay positive. Stay focused. Stay honest.

[@waltertanner7982]

@@libertypastor1307 So true! Ausbeutung is what we call this in Germany.

[@javierdiazsantana]

It took almost 23 minutes. XD Best wishes Beatrix

[@beatrixguitar]

Hah yep I kinda let my ranting rage off the leash lol 😂

[@BobLHedd]

This is frustrating as a viewer, too.

[@joelhamilton6720]

👍

[@chrismaxwell1624]

I thought this was going in response to AI created music. Couple new services came out this week where you just describe a song, through lyrics in ext box and let AI do all the music for you. I found it quite interesting. So here I can put chord progression and let AI play the drums, rhythm guitar, bass guitar then I solo with it. That's the idea at least. But the service wasn't working, crashed by too many people using it.

[@beatrixguitar]

I know Chris, I want to make a video about that too because that AI music is crazy!!

[@keithbaumgardner8460]

The human part is that I just realized you have beautiful eyes. I'll watch your videos because I look for them and you are an awesome musician. Keep making content and I will watch it 👍

[@ZackRappMusic]

PSA - if you turn off your watch history, youtube stops recommending videos on the Home page and the shorts page as well. It's saved my sanity lol

[@beatrixguitar]

Noooo waaaay!!! The more you know 😃

[@motasemsalameh1521]

İ open your channel to check for new videos. And i HATE it when i miss the stream!

[@beatrixguitar]

aw I'm soooo sorry, I'll be live in 30 mins for sure, but I stream on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30 pm CET

[@motasemsalameh1521]

@@beatrixguitar i'm just confirming what you said and complaining about not getting notified! İ'm not a guitarist but still love the music atmosphere 🙂. Thx for the info!!

[@rgkafk5djsk291]

Why do i feel ,that ur good at MATHS as well ?

[@dudelopi-zj9bb]

Look , I might get few points wrong but.. If you get a feed that doesn't resonate with something that you're posting and aiming for ,it's probably because that intervalic and rhythmical approach are already belonging to somebody..hence inovation and not repetition. You play Bach , Mozart etc?? Who owns those cadences? Cheers

[@SquirrelHybrid]

Besides the algorithm issues, how is being a musician in 2024?

[@beatrixguitar]

That’s lovely of you to ask, I’m actually quite well. I still have time to do lots of creative work which I’m really grateful for, and I finally finished writing my first composition for classical guitar. Can’t wait to share!

[@ryanpantaloski3065]

Hi Beatrix!.. hope you are well... You realize you kinda sound like a crazy person in this post haha. Listen... choose what youre gonna be,.. theres only two choices.. you can be a "content creator" that happens to play guitar.. or you you can be a performing guitarist that provides performances for her followers. build a program and play it.. so we can actually be an "audience". Then after the program you can maybe discuss the technical challenges of the program and interprative nuances of particular pieces. let people see you as a musician. youre meant to play the guitar... you make beautiful tone, and have great technique.. play music BTW dear youre not a creator... the composers are. And uploading a video to you tube doesnt make you an artist...playing music does...so do it. stop worrying about making some nutured community....we're hundreds of thousands of random individuals... we are not a community...never will be, and thats fine. just play programs and tell us about them :) youre wayyyyy over thinking.... take care!

[@joelhamilton6720]

Weird ! Weird ? Weird .

[@joelhamilton6720]

2 ND Corinthians 3:6