If you are considering a full-time professional music career, you will need more than just talent and luck. Be prepared for hard work, serious commitment, and maybe a few obstacles. Depending on which musical genre you work within, you may also need substantial formal education to reach your goals. On the other hand, you might prefer a less official route to profiting from your melodic gift.
So, how does the amateur or unsigned musician turn their abilities into money while honing their craft or waiting for their big break? Take heart. There are many ways to get paid for what you love to do, and the opportunities extend to all types of musicians. If you are proficient in notation, you could offer your services as a music teacher. Even the great Rachmaninoff taught piano to young students.
A singer, band or instrumentalist can network both online and offline to land paying gigs at local venues. Check out all of the places in your town that might feature live performances.
Don’t overlook hotels, spas, comedy clubs, festivals and public events as possible sources of work. Your local music store may have a bulletin board where interesting opportunities are posted.
Take advantage of every opportunity you can to set up a gig at a local bar or restaurant. Sometimes places will let you perform for free and sometimes, if you’re good enough, they will pay you for your musical performance. Either way will help in the long run. You can even sell CD’s, posters, t-shirts and any other merchandise. Most venues will allow you to sell band merchandise but make sure to check with management before you do.
Social networking sites allow musicians a way to not only showcase their talents and promote themselves, but also to meet other musicians and keep in step with the heart of both the local and national music scene. The more connections you have, the better. Knowing the right people can lead to very profitable freelance work.
Search your local newspaper for any advertisements relating to music. There may be a church in need of a pianist, or a local band looking for a new drummer. Weddings are planned year-round, and these ceremonies frequently call for live music of various types.
If there is a recording studio in your area, apply for a job there. Even if you are only sweeping the floors, you might gain some valuable insight into the recording business and may meet knowledgeable people who could become friends, mentors, or even employers. Let as many people as possible know that you are a musician for hire. Don’t be too proud to take a temporary job as a back-up singer or stand-in musician if you get the chance. Showing your ability to work well with other musicians can be lucrative in the long run.
There is vast potential for finding musical “odd jobs” online. Video producers need audio content for their short films. Advertisers might be looking for original material too, although traditional commercial jingles are not as widely used as they were in the past.
Many musicians choose to self-publish their albums and distribute them digitally. If you can produce good material, and you learn a little about online marketing, you can make money by selling your own music, even without a recording contract. If you are successful, you can extend the business to producing related merchandise, such as clothing branded with your band’s name or logo.
If your music has niche value, find your target audience and make yourself known. Join music-related forums and contribute to them often. Protect yourself by learning the specifics of copyright legislation. Follow these laws carefully. Always conduct yourself in a professional and ethical manner, whether you are dealing with fellow musicians, mentors, clients, or fans.