8 answers
Alyrah
Student
Mountain City, Tennessee
4
Questions
Asked
970 views
Is a career in the music industry really worth it?
I know that music and sharing creativity makes me happy, but will it be enough to keep me afloat? How can I make it a more financially fulfilling career?
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8 answers
Savita Acharya
IT Consultant
9
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Savita’s Answer
Hello Alyrah,
I'm not sure if you're a student exploring this career path or if you're asking a general question. Before making a decision, you might want to consider taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. This self-assessment tool categorizes individuals into 16 different personality types, helping you determine if a job's roles and responsibilities align with your personality. Deciding whether to pursue a career in the music industry involves several personal factors, such as your passion for music, your skills, and your career objectives. Here are some key points to consider:
Passion and Interest: If you have a deep love for music and enjoy creating, performing, or engaging with music, this field can be highly rewarding. Passion often fuels success in the arts.
Skills and Talents: Evaluate your musical abilities and talents. Whether you're interested in performing, songwriting, producing, or another role, possessing the right skills is essential.
Job Variety: The music industry encompasses a wide array of career paths beyond performing, including sound engineering, music production, management, marketing, and education. Explore these avenues to find what suits you best.
Industry Challenges: The music industry is notoriously competitive and unpredictable. Achieving success usually requires resilience, networking, and a bit of luck.
Financial Considerations: Income in the music industry can vary widely. While some roles may be lucrative, others might offer less financial stability, particularly at the start of your career.
Lifestyle: Reflect on the lifestyle associated with different music careers. For instance, performance roles might involve extensive travel and irregular hours.
Long-Term Goals: Consider your long-term career aspirations and how a music career fits into them. Are you seeking creative fulfillment, financial success, or both?
Education and Training: Contemplate the education or training you might need. Some roles may require formal education, while others might prioritize experience and networking.
To gain more insights, consider speaking with industry professionals, seeking internships, or attending industry events. Balancing your passion with practical considerations will help you make a well-informed decision.
I'm not sure if you're a student exploring this career path or if you're asking a general question. Before making a decision, you might want to consider taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. This self-assessment tool categorizes individuals into 16 different personality types, helping you determine if a job's roles and responsibilities align with your personality. Deciding whether to pursue a career in the music industry involves several personal factors, such as your passion for music, your skills, and your career objectives. Here are some key points to consider:
Passion and Interest: If you have a deep love for music and enjoy creating, performing, or engaging with music, this field can be highly rewarding. Passion often fuels success in the arts.
Skills and Talents: Evaluate your musical abilities and talents. Whether you're interested in performing, songwriting, producing, or another role, possessing the right skills is essential.
Job Variety: The music industry encompasses a wide array of career paths beyond performing, including sound engineering, music production, management, marketing, and education. Explore these avenues to find what suits you best.
Industry Challenges: The music industry is notoriously competitive and unpredictable. Achieving success usually requires resilience, networking, and a bit of luck.
Financial Considerations: Income in the music industry can vary widely. While some roles may be lucrative, others might offer less financial stability, particularly at the start of your career.
Lifestyle: Reflect on the lifestyle associated with different music careers. For instance, performance roles might involve extensive travel and irregular hours.
Long-Term Goals: Consider your long-term career aspirations and how a music career fits into them. Are you seeking creative fulfillment, financial success, or both?
Education and Training: Contemplate the education or training you might need. Some roles may require formal education, while others might prioritize experience and networking.
To gain more insights, consider speaking with industry professionals, seeking internships, or attending industry events. Balancing your passion with practical considerations will help you make a well-informed decision.
Saint P
SongWriter and Creative writer
40
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Saint’s Answer
Hey Alyrah,
I totally get where you're coming from. A career in music can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you're doing something that makes you happy. But I think you're right to wonder how to make it work financially.
A lot of it depends on what side of music you want to focus on. If you’re all about performing, there’s definitely potential in live shows, merch, and even doing virtual events these days. Songwriting and production are another way to make money, especially if you get into licensing your music for movies, TV, or ads. And I’d say, don’t sleep on building your audience online things like social media, Patreon, or even teaching music can be extra streams of income that help keep you afloat.
It’s not always easy, but if music truly makes you happy, there are ways to make it work sometimes in ways you might not expect! How are you thinking about approaching it? More as a performer, songwriter, or something else?
Good Luck
Saint
I totally get where you're coming from. A career in music can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you're doing something that makes you happy. But I think you're right to wonder how to make it work financially.
A lot of it depends on what side of music you want to focus on. If you’re all about performing, there’s definitely potential in live shows, merch, and even doing virtual events these days. Songwriting and production are another way to make money, especially if you get into licensing your music for movies, TV, or ads. And I’d say, don’t sleep on building your audience online things like social media, Patreon, or even teaching music can be extra streams of income that help keep you afloat.
It’s not always easy, but if music truly makes you happy, there are ways to make it work sometimes in ways you might not expect! How are you thinking about approaching it? More as a performer, songwriter, or something else?
Good Luck
Saint
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
911
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hey Alyrah,
It's amazing that you've got a passion for music and a heart full of creativity—both of which are fantastic foundations for a career in the music industry! But of course, it's natural to wonder if that passion can also pay the bills.
The music industry can be challenging and unpredictable, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. The key to making it a more financially fulfilling career lies in diversifying your skills and income streams. Here are some ideas to help you along the way:
1. Multiple Income Streams: Think beyond just performing. Consider songwriting, producing, teaching music, scoring for films or games, or even creating content for social media platforms like YouTube or TikTok.
2. Networking: Build strong connections within the industry. Attend events, collaborate with other artists, and reach out to industry professionals. Sometimes, it's who you know that can open doors.
3. Online Presence: In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial. Use social media to share your music, connect with fans, and grow your audience. Platforms like Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and Spotify can help you reach listeners worldwide.
4. Business Skills: Understanding the business side of music can make a big difference. Learn about contracts, royalties, and marketing. Consider taking courses or seeking mentorship in these areas.
5. Persistence: The path to success in the music industry can be long and winding. Stay dedicated, keep honing your craft, and don't be discouraged by setbacks.
Ultimately, if music truly makes you happy, that's a powerful motivator. Remember, many successful artists started with the same questions and doubts. By combining your passion with smart strategies, you can create a fulfilling career in the music industry.
Keep chasing those dreams, Alyrah!
Best wishes!
It's amazing that you've got a passion for music and a heart full of creativity—both of which are fantastic foundations for a career in the music industry! But of course, it's natural to wonder if that passion can also pay the bills.
The music industry can be challenging and unpredictable, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. The key to making it a more financially fulfilling career lies in diversifying your skills and income streams. Here are some ideas to help you along the way:
1. Multiple Income Streams: Think beyond just performing. Consider songwriting, producing, teaching music, scoring for films or games, or even creating content for social media platforms like YouTube or TikTok.
2. Networking: Build strong connections within the industry. Attend events, collaborate with other artists, and reach out to industry professionals. Sometimes, it's who you know that can open doors.
3. Online Presence: In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial. Use social media to share your music, connect with fans, and grow your audience. Platforms like Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and Spotify can help you reach listeners worldwide.
4. Business Skills: Understanding the business side of music can make a big difference. Learn about contracts, royalties, and marketing. Consider taking courses or seeking mentorship in these areas.
5. Persistence: The path to success in the music industry can be long and winding. Stay dedicated, keep honing your craft, and don't be discouraged by setbacks.
Ultimately, if music truly makes you happy, that's a powerful motivator. Remember, many successful artists started with the same questions and doubts. By combining your passion with smart strategies, you can create a fulfilling career in the music industry.
Keep chasing those dreams, Alyrah!
Best wishes!
Elizabeth Bryson
Songwriter
5
Answers
Parkton, Maryland
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Alyrah!
Your question is a very good one and definitely a practical one! Music, like any of the arts comes from a passion that leads to wonderful, unique creativity, but not always to financial gain. Speaking from experience, I've had different jobs that haven't been directly related to me earning income as a songwriter, composer or musician. However, most of them have been influential and inspiring in one way or another. Some of those jobs haven't been that inspiring, but still influence me as a writer. I guess that isn't too helpful on giving you ideas as to how to make enough money to pay your bills, but don't stop creating. Teaching piano, guitar, etc. to students can definitely help keep you financially afloat. Whether you're a musician, a writer or an artist, you don't stop being that just because you don't make money from it. Try and share what you do on different websites that are specifically geared to your talents and target that audience. If you are a musician or writer, open mic nights are also a good way to network. At some point you might get some paying gigs. Build on all of those things. If progress seems slow, don't let that discourage you. Just keep moving forward. God bless you in your future endeavors!
Elizabeth
Your question is a very good one and definitely a practical one! Music, like any of the arts comes from a passion that leads to wonderful, unique creativity, but not always to financial gain. Speaking from experience, I've had different jobs that haven't been directly related to me earning income as a songwriter, composer or musician. However, most of them have been influential and inspiring in one way or another. Some of those jobs haven't been that inspiring, but still influence me as a writer. I guess that isn't too helpful on giving you ideas as to how to make enough money to pay your bills, but don't stop creating. Teaching piano, guitar, etc. to students can definitely help keep you financially afloat. Whether you're a musician, a writer or an artist, you don't stop being that just because you don't make money from it. Try and share what you do on different websites that are specifically geared to your talents and target that audience. If you are a musician or writer, open mic nights are also a good way to network. At some point you might get some paying gigs. Build on all of those things. If progress seems slow, don't let that discourage you. Just keep moving forward. God bless you in your future endeavors!
Elizabeth
Douglas Wilson
Videography
6
Answers
Indiana, Indiana
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
Well...it depends. For me, I have been writing music (lyrics and guitar instrumentals for a long time) and I can sing incredibly well. That being said I think you will have the most fulfilling musical journey if you actually start or join either a touring band or tour solo. That's where the best part of the entire musical world exists. Now I'm going to give you my opinion... I could've joined and could still join a touring band and I know I would make it. But I don't want my absolute favorite and passionate thing to do be my job, I want it to remain a hobby for certain reasons I won't be getting into here. But if you want to see the world and you are good enough to know that you have the talent necessary then go for it! I wish you the best of luck.
Kurt Suffern
Project Manager
2
Answers
Woodbury, New York
Updated
Kurt’s Answer
Areas for work I’d say would be an orchestra, philharmonic symphony, studio musician, etc. You can and should try the gig life and try and break through because why not try your hand, but early in your career you’ll need to sell merchandise as the key source of income. Europe funds the arts much more and offer something more modest but sustainable as opposed to the US where it’s superstar or starving artist.
Stephen Trent
Equity Research
13
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Hi there. A musical career could be quite lucrative. However, I guess it somewhat depends on what kind of music (R&B, classical, etc.), whether you you have your own band or play violin with an opera and to what extent you create your own music. As there are a lot of variables, you might want to have some stable side-income, to get you through the mountains and valleys of pursuing music. Good luck.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1988
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. If you really like music, you can do it good and make good income.
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are many music related careers, eg. Musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc You can find out more music related careers online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you have interest
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are many music related careers, eg. Musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc You can find out more music related careers online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you have interest
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!