Lately, I’ve been thinking about the mad dash many musicians seem to be in to produce content for YouTube — striving to be noticed and, understandably, to earn a living. Yet something about the whole system feels off.
To my mind, music should always be about quality rather than quantity. I find it hard to believe that anyone can keep up with the relentless pace demanded by YouTube’s algorithms and still maintain a consistently high standard of artistry.
Of course, there are some remarkable musicians who seem able to work at lightning speed, producing excellent performances with ease. But for most, creating something truly musical and meaningful takes time — time to reflect, to refine, and to grow an idea into something worth sharing.
Ironically, the platform seems to reward output over artistry. Those who post endlessly, regardless of substance, are often the ones most visible. Meanwhile, the quieter creators — those who take care and pride in their craft — too often go unnoticed.
Still, I’d like to believe that genuine quality does eventually find its audience. It just takes patience, perseverance, and a refusal to compromise on what matters most.
That said, I’ve found myself creating fewer and fewer videos for YouTube. It’s something I once loved — the process of sharing performances, ideas, and moments of music-making with others. But over time, the joy has faded as the focus shifted from creativity to constant output. I’ve come to realise that I’d rather make fewer things that feel genuine and deeply considered than chase an algorithm that rewards noise over nuance. Perhaps that means being less visible, but it also means staying true to what first drew me to music — the simple satisfaction of making something worthwhile.