And music is not self-service. You don't study and play music to show off your skills - you do it to perform for others. As an accompanist, my job is to use my skills so that soloists can more easily do their jobs. If I did my job right, the soloist would feel free to express and connect with their audience. If the soloist does their job right, the audience leaves moved and - hopefully - changed.

All of that is possible if you leave yourself and focus on others.