You’re young, and passionate about music. Whether you’re working towards a music degree or studying something else entirely, you know that this passion defines you. Furthermore, it defines what you want to do with your life. You might think making a living in the music industry is just a pipe dream. After all, only the lucky few have made it, right?
But that’s not the reality of it all. Of course, not everyone becomes famous and insanely rich in this field. But it’s still possible to make a living out of it, too.
Of course, it’s still going to take a lot to succeed. So, the earlier you start, the better – yes, even if it means pushing your studies into the background. You can always outsource your homework to a service like EssayPro, anyway. And once you set your priorities straight, here are seven careers you can build.
7 Music Careers: Take Your Pick!
When you think about a career in this industry, you probably imagine following in the footsteps of the likes of Queen and Taylor Swift. In other words, you think about making it as a performer. But it’s not the only option on the table. Just like there are many browsers you can choose from, music careers also come in many shapes and forms. This industry needs its sound engineers, producers, managers, teachers, and more! So, if all you have right now is the desire to tie your life to music in any way, here are seven career paths you should consider.
Musician
Do you know your way around an instrument or several? You can turn that hobby into a full-on occupation! Here are the three major ways you can make a living out of it:
- Become an entertainer: you can score gigs for playing an instrument during events, on cruises, at restaurants and bars, etc.;
- Join or start a band: you’ll have to record original tracks, sign deals with labels, find performing gigs, go on tours, and so on;
- Become a session musician: you’ll be lending your skills to other performers or recording tracks for commercials, movies, TV shows, and the like.
Composer
Do you have a knack for creating tracks? If so, you can build an entire career out of it! But don’t worry if you’re not into the classical genre: there’s a demand for tracks of any genre, from punk rock to jazz and hip-hop.
Here are some projects that composers can be hired for:
- Video games;
- Movies and TV shows;
- Commercials;
- Theater plays.
Singer
Unlike what most people believe, you don’t have to be the next Rihanna to make it as a singer. Famous performers often need someone to be their backup singers, for example. Advertising agencies, movies, and TV shows need the vocals for their original soundtracks, too.
Plus, you can also use your signing skills to:
- Entertain the crowds at restaurants and on cruises;
- Land a sustainable job at a musical theater;
- Become an opera singer.
Music Teacher
This might not be the most exciting job on the list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not in demand. Yes, it won’t lead to stardom, but the payoff can still be rewarding. You’ll get to see people make progress – and proactively help them succeed at playing an instrument of your choice.
Needless to say, it’s not just your playing skills that matter in this occupation. You also have to know how to teach others. And that means understanding how to communicate all of your skills and knowledge using only words – and how to find a personal approach to every learner, too.
DJ
Whether you’re dreaming of becoming the next Calvin Harris or just love making remixes, this is the job for you. As a DJ, you’ll be welcome at parties, nightclubs, festivals, and other events – and you’ll get paid for doing what you love!
What’s more, you don’t need to buy a prohibitively expensive DJ booth to get started in the field. There’s plenty of mixing software that you can find online for free – you can start with just that.
Music Producer
Next up, this occupation is akin to being a jack of all trades. For one, producers have to marry the creative side of the industry with the business one. Plus, they oversee the technical aspects of recording, as well as the practicalities of cooperation between performers and labels.
If you know what makes some records great and others – trash, this is the job for you. But to land it, you’ll have to get intimately familiar with sound engineering, mixing, and standard software tools.
Music Therapist
Yes, it’s a standalone career! And it’s unlike any other one on this list – it has less to do with the entertainment industry itself and more with psychology and counseling.
If you want to help others work through their issues with the power of music, there are programs designed to teach you the right skills. If you think it’s your cup of tea, visit the website of the American Music Therapy Association to find tips for building such an unusual career.
How to Get Started in the Music Industry
Have you settled on your future career path? Great! Now, let’s dive into these three key time-tested tips on starting your journey towards the top of the ladder.
Get Your Name Out There
Whichever path you decide to set out on, you need to prove yourself worthy of others’ time and money. To do that, you should start treating yourself as a brand – and make it recognizable, at least in the professional community.
Fortunately, all you need nowadays to amass a certain following is a social media account and interesting content. For example, if you’re a musician or a singer, you can:
- Create a YouTube account and share your tracks with the world there;
- Get some recognition on royalty-free stock websites (e.g., Pond5);
- Publish your tracks on streaming platforms (e.g., Spotify).
Network Like Crazy
This industry is one of those tight-knit ones where you just need to know the right people. These people can later turn out to be valuable connections to hook you up for a gig or even a job opportunity. Or, some of them can be kind enough to guide and mentor you.
When you get on with networking, start small. Get to know the local scene. Go to small-scale performances and festivals; mingle with the people there. Consider volunteering for festivals, too.
Get Your Hands Dirty
Well, not literally, of course. But here’s the thing: no online course or formal education can teach you what it’s really like to work in this industry. That’s because, besides the creativity part, there’s also the business part of the equation.
You need to get down to the nitty-gritty to have a grasp of all the practicalities of your chosen career. So, the best way to get started in the industry is to get started. Make mistakes and learn by doing until you become a pro – that’s how you make it.
In Conclusion
The music industry isn’t a monolith. You can choose one out of dozens of paths. And, provided that you have the skills that it takes to succeed, you’ll be able to turn your hobby into a full-fledged job.
Making a living out of your love for music isn’t as hard as you might think. What’s truly hard is becoming famous in the process. So, if stardom is your goal, you might want to reassess it. But if all you want is to get paid for doing what you love, there’s nothing impossible about it.
Let us know how you feel in the comment section below. Mel Blanc’s famous catchphrase, “That’s All Folks!” Thanks for reading another great article on Bong Mines Entertainment – the hot spot for new music. Furthermore, always remember that (P) Positive, (E) Energy, (A) Always, (C) Creates, (E) Elevation (P.E.A.C.E).