Lessons From The Master: Tommy Emmanuel

First things first, I hope you had a lovely Easter!

My Easter Sunday was spent well with family over BBQ and lots of laughter.

Then come Easter Monday, I attended an event that truly inspired me.

Some of you know the amazing keyboard player I have the pleasure of working with, Sam McNally. Sam arranged a very special Masterclass with one of the most well – known guitarists in Australia. He really is a household name – Tommy Emmanuel.

Sam and Tommy used to play together with singer extraordinaire, John Farnham, another household name in Australian music. Mitch Farmer, the incredible drummer I have the honour of working with, has also worked with Tommy and featured in the Masterclass as well. These guys certainly know a thing or two about music. David Jones, also an incredible drummer, together with Tommy and Sam, created some beautiful musical moments throughout the event.

One thing that really STOOD OUT about Tommy and the great success he has had, and still has, are the powerful BELIEFS he possesses. He is 64 years young and performed at the iconic Sydney Opera House for 1800 people the night before.

He was vibrant, full of energy, and he inspired and brought joy to the whole room during the Masterclass. I am sure that after three hours flew by I was not the only one who could have listened longer!

Tommy usually tours with three guitars (all Matons) and no roadie. He changes his own strings and the sound guy who worked for Keith Urban for twelve years is now who Tommy books, and he pays him well.

What motivates Tommy Emmanuel?

“Doing a good job,” he says.

Here are some of the points he covered:

COMMITMENT

“After decades of performing, I still put everything I can muster, my whole life… into every single note I play. I do that for every show.”

“Keep the groove and play with all your heart.”

“Get really good. Get a following. That is my advice.”

“I give 100% when I am on stage, or when I am with my children, or whatever I am doing.”

PERFORMING

“Find the sweet spots on stage and with the audience.”

“Stay laser focused during a performance.”

“Practise like it is a show. Approach it like a soldier.” (Be disciplined.)

“If you can make the audience free from concern, you have done your job.”

“The stage is honest and you are naked on the stage. It is a “real” experience. Timing. Phrasing. Tone. All will be exposed.”

“Prepare before the show with good rest, good food, get your outfit ready. Be in a good place prior.”

“Be an entertainer.” Entertainment says, “Surprise me!”

IDENTITY

“I am a songwriter. I noticed that the ones that stood out wrote their own songs.”

“I make my living, pay my mortgage, feed my family and pay all my bills, all by playing the guitar.”

“Do things that no one else does.” (e.g. He uses the guitar percussively.)

“You have got to be diverse.”

PRACTICAL ADVICE

“Eat less, walk double, laugh triple.”

“Get rest, so you can be clear.”

“Don’t worry if you feel flat sometimes. Look at nature and remember the big picture.”

“Put attention on things that are good for your soul. Feed your soul and cells with different styles of quality music. We can’t put out until we have taken in.”

“Have good posture when you practise and play.”

HOW TO BE A GOOD MUSICIAN

“Listening is everything. A musician’s first job is to listen.”

“Make sure frequencies are balanced onstage. If they play high, you play low.”

“Be inspired all the time.”

“Listen to people better than you.”

“Study and understand the other instruments.”

“Watch good films.”

“Learn strong mind-sets from people like Muhammad Ali.”

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It was brilliant hearing from Tommy.

What I know to be true is that the game is won and lost in the battlefield of the mind.
 
As strong as Tommy is, we can also experience the “Not Enough” beliefs such as the following:

• I am not good ENOUGH at anything…
• I do not have ENOUGH time…
• I do not have ENOUGH money…
• I am not disciplined ENOUGH…
• I am not creative ENOUGH…
• I am not healthy ENOUGH – too much wrong with me…
• I am too old, it is too late and not ENOUGH life left to do anything worthwhile…
• I am too young, I don’t have ENOUGH experience yet…

In addition, the following beliefs can also REALLY sabotage and hold people back:

• I’ll never make it…
• I have failed a lot already…
• I don’t have the right connections…
• No one is interested in or cares what I have to say…
• I don’t know how to do it…
• I don’t have enough education…
• I am not talented enough…
• My family and/or friends do not support me…
• I am too tired…
• I am really bad at technology, it overwhelms me…
• I am too shy…
• I am too hard on myself…
• I don’t know what I want…
• I know what I want but I can’t get the results…
• No one “in my situation” is able to succeed…
• I’ll never break this habit…
• My physical appearance is holding me back…
• I keep making the same mistakes…
• It is way too hard on my own…
• I am afraid of what others will think of me…

We fall for these beliefs through past conditioning, what our parents, friends and people around us think, and from the way we have perceived things that have occurred through our lives. For most of us, it takes CONSCIOUS EFFORT to transform our belief systems to where they are working FOR us, not AGAINST us.

If you operate in even ONE of the “Not Enough” beliefs, you are suffering unnecessarily.

There is always a way forward, and upward.
 
In the You Have A Voice Academy, which starts on May 20th 2019, we will together be addressing some of these powerful core beliefs and transforming them to support you for the wonder that awaits! I believe with all my heart that there is MORE for YOU. I have been coaching for twenty-five years and helped people from all different ages and stages and I would love to help you!

I will mentor you step by step to create magical changes all over the place. We will work on ONE main goal in your life as well as the eight important areas of your life that all work together in harmony:

1. Business/Career
2. Personal Environment
3. Relationships
4. Health and Wellness
5. Money and Finance
6. Personal and Spiritual Growth
7. Service and Contribution
8. Creativity

You will not recognise yourself in 12 months if you follow the path I am laying out for you.

I can hardly think of anything better than to drill down into your deepest desires to bring them to pass, whilst gently working on making your whole life better.
 
You can find out more here – YOU HAVE A VOICE ACADEMY.

And registration is open NOW.

For the jazz lovers! I am singing on the stunning Billie Holiday Show which is happening again at Camelot on May 2nd.

CLICK HERE to get your Tickets!

Come along and hear these beautifully arranged tunes and have a lovely night of music with a seven-piece band. I would love to see you.

Always remember, You Have A Voice!

Love, Simone xx

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