10 answers
Ishmeal
Student
Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone
2
Questions
Asked
817 views
How can I be a musician?
I also love music and sometimes i just wished that i'd put all my real life experiences into a song which the world can listen to and i believe that many people can relate and be courageous.I love #Photography and #Music.
Login to comment
10 answers
Katherine ng
sales
19
Answers
Macau
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
HI～
I think you can ：
1. Can listen to all kinds of music
2. Study the characteristics of different types of music
I think you can ：
1. Can listen to all kinds of music
2. Study the characteristics of different types of music
Sylvia wong
sales
11
Answers
Macau
Updated
Sylvia’s Answer
I am so happy to listen that.
Actually,I am also really like music and listening.I once have give up to find what role I want to be, I was regret .I hope you can insist your dream . Do more things what you can do, like join some music competition, writing the song for your feelings or your emotion.Do every thing what you want to do ,just be happy and have some fun ,every thing will get better!
Actually,I am also really like music and listening.I once have give up to find what role I want to be, I was regret .I hope you can insist your dream . Do more things what you can do, like join some music competition, writing the song for your feelings or your emotion.Do every thing what you want to do ,just be happy and have some fun ,every thing will get better!
Ariana Tomasi
6
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Ariana’s Answer
Hi Ishmael,
Good for you on exploring your passions and doing what you love! I completely agree with what has been said so far. The great thing is that there are so many resources virtually to connect with online. Keep networking, researching opportunities, and exploring! Stay positive, and take advantage of any performance or audition opportunity that goes your way! Dream big!
Good for you on exploring your passions and doing what you love! I completely agree with what has been said so far. The great thing is that there are so many resources virtually to connect with online. Keep networking, researching opportunities, and exploring! Stay positive, and take advantage of any performance or audition opportunity that goes your way! Dream big!
Blake H.
Business
478
Answers
Updated
Blake’s Answer
Hey Ishmeal,
What do you want to do in music? Are you thinking as a solo musician, or an orchestra? If it's an orchestra, then they have auditions that you could try out for.
Thanks,
Blake
What do you want to do in music? Are you thinking as a solo musician, or an orchestra? If it's an orchestra, then they have auditions that you could try out for.
Thanks,
Blake
Siva M
Software Engineer
1
Answer
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Great to hear that.
Let me project this way.
1. Find out your strong points. Like song writing ? singing ? playing instrument ?
2. Now concentrate on your strong points with priority, may be you might be liking song writing more. Try out that.
3. Use any social media platform. Preferably, YouTube or Insta that makes you to identify your strong and weak points where you can work on it more. If possible take professional course.
4. Expand your professional connections which helps you.
Let me project this way.
1. Find out your strong points. Like song writing ? singing ? playing instrument ?
2. Now concentrate on your strong points with priority, may be you might be liking song writing more. Try out that.
3. Use any social media platform. Preferably, YouTube or Insta that makes you to identify your strong and weak points where you can work on it more. If possible take professional course.
4. Expand your professional connections which helps you.
vi lci
sale
3
Answers
Macau
Updated
vi’s Answer
Hi Ishmeal,
It is not enough for a musician to play a musical instrument every day. starting a music career from now on is a major turning point for most people. Fisrt of all a music career is more than just an interest, a skill, or a talent. If you want to be a musician, you must master the necessary musical skills, then start a lot of practice, then start to make your favorite own music.
1.Choose an instrument you are interested in. If you don’t have any specific ideas, you can start with a piano, violin, or guitar. Because these instruments are the easiest to find a teacher, you can quickly learn some basic performance skills of the instrument
2.If you want to play classical music and become a classical master, it is best to pick an instrument from the category of classical string music, such as woodwind, brass, or percussion
3.If you want to write your own songs and work on the road of popular music, it is best to start with guitar, bass, piano, drum kit. It is good to be able to go to a professional place for classes, but many popular musicians and folk musicians are self-taught, through tutorials, online video.
In conclusion ,Don't give up music because some people will critique
you, you should never give up music. It is normal to feel depressed. This is a part of learning. Remember to practice, practice, practice. Practice will make you success.
GOOD LUCK! :)
It is not enough for a musician to play a musical instrument every day. starting a music career from now on is a major turning point for most people. Fisrt of all a music career is more than just an interest, a skill, or a talent. If you want to be a musician, you must master the necessary musical skills, then start a lot of practice, then start to make your favorite own music.
1.Choose an instrument you are interested in. If you don’t have any specific ideas, you can start with a piano, violin, or guitar. Because these instruments are the easiest to find a teacher, you can quickly learn some basic performance skills of the instrument
2.If you want to play classical music and become a classical master, it is best to pick an instrument from the category of classical string music, such as woodwind, brass, or percussion
3.If you want to write your own songs and work on the road of popular music, it is best to start with guitar, bass, piano, drum kit. It is good to be able to go to a professional place for classes, but many popular musicians and folk musicians are self-taught, through tutorials, online video.
In conclusion ,Don't give up music because some people will critique
you, you should never give up music. It is normal to feel depressed. This is a part of learning. Remember to practice, practice, practice. Practice will make you success.
GOOD LUCK! :)
Aubrey George
Group Specialist
5
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Aubrey’s Answer
Hello Ishmael! This is a great question to ask.
It sounds like you have a lot of ideas stirring in your head, my first recommendation is to write down your experiences. You can become a strong song writer and share those experiences with the world! Someone in my family is a musician and had that desire at a very young age to become a musician and never gave up despite the hardships that come with pursing a career in music.
Along with writing the songs down start to learn different instruments, if you don't already know them the more you know the more diverse you can become with your music.
Rejection is bound to happen with a music career as well so be prepared for that and be confident in the music you create. You have a voice and experiences and its up to you to share those with whoever is willing to listen.
Best of luck!
It sounds like you have a lot of ideas stirring in your head, my first recommendation is to write down your experiences. You can become a strong song writer and share those experiences with the world! Someone in my family is a musician and had that desire at a very young age to become a musician and never gave up despite the hardships that come with pursing a career in music.
Along with writing the songs down start to learn different instruments, if you don't already know them the more you know the more diverse you can become with your music.
Rejection is bound to happen with a music career as well so be prepared for that and be confident in the music you create. You have a voice and experiences and its up to you to share those with whoever is willing to listen.
Best of luck!
Suzanne Swain Brint
Nursing
169
Answers
Santa Monica, California
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Hi Ishmeal,
I believe you are asking how you might become a professional musician. The Arts traditionally attract talented people who are very passionate about what they do. It is also a highly competitive field if you wish to become a highly recognized musician. Your question I believe is also saying that you would like to be able to express yourself and be recognized in songwriting.
So, if you are serious, you must study. Very rarely does a musician sit down at the piano or guitar, spontaneously compose a piece, and have it heard worldwide. The only person that comes to mind to me is Mozart. And he was trained by his father at a very young age.
There are many career opportunities for musicians besides composing and performance. So I want to give you some references which will be the end of my answer. I do suggest exploring a bachelor's of music or arts degree.
My recommendation is that you make a notebook of your thoughts, feelings, poems, essays which will serve as material for future songwritng. You can also make lists of music schools/programs that might be of interest. I suggest starting with learning how to read music (if you don't) and also learning about music theory. I will also include some references.
Great musicians practice. And practice again. And practice some more. If you are serious, don't be surprised if practicing becomes a full-time job which takes place in between work to earn money.
Best luck to you as you express yourself through Art. It is an awesome journey.
Sue
Learn to read music for free: https://soundfly.com/courses/how-to-read-music
Basic Music Theory: https://www.earmaster.com/music-theory-online/course-introduction.html
Career opportunities for musicians: https://majoringinmusic.com/what-can-you-do-with-a-music-degree/
How to express yourself through song: https://www.musical-u.com/learn/songwriting-tips/
How to become a professional musician: https://tomhess.net/articles/HowToBecomeAProfessionalPart1.aspx
I believe you are asking how you might become a professional musician. The Arts traditionally attract talented people who are very passionate about what they do. It is also a highly competitive field if you wish to become a highly recognized musician. Your question I believe is also saying that you would like to be able to express yourself and be recognized in songwriting.
So, if you are serious, you must study. Very rarely does a musician sit down at the piano or guitar, spontaneously compose a piece, and have it heard worldwide. The only person that comes to mind to me is Mozart. And he was trained by his father at a very young age.
There are many career opportunities for musicians besides composing and performance. So I want to give you some references which will be the end of my answer. I do suggest exploring a bachelor's of music or arts degree.
My recommendation is that you make a notebook of your thoughts, feelings, poems, essays which will serve as material for future songwritng. You can also make lists of music schools/programs that might be of interest. I suggest starting with learning how to read music (if you don't) and also learning about music theory. I will also include some references.
Great musicians practice. And practice again. And practice some more. If you are serious, don't be surprised if practicing becomes a full-time job which takes place in between work to earn money.
Best luck to you as you express yourself through Art. It is an awesome journey.
Sue
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
Sunitha V
Technician,Technical Support
23
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sunitha’s Answer
How to Become a Professional Musician
Practice, Practice, Practice. Professional musicians often begin their careers without knowing it at an early age. ...
Study Music Theory or Music Performance. Get your bachelor's degree in music theory or music performance. ...
Work Ethic and Coping Skills. ...
Gain Exposure and Perform Often.
Being a musician is so much more than playing notes on an instrument. Learning to pick the right instrument for you and start making music can be a life-changing experience for a lot of people. It's more than a hobby, a skill, or a talent. If you want to become a musician, you can learn to build the skills necessary to be the kind of player you want to be and make the kind of music you want to make, with practice.
Choosing an Instrument
Choose an instrument that suits your interests. If your goal is to become an on-stage rocker in a scruffy punk band, it's true that you could learn a lot about music playing the oboe, but it probably isn't the best way to form the band you want to form. If you want to play classical music and become a virtuoso, there's little room for synthesizer, unfortunately. Pick a category of instrument that fits your ambitions for being a musician.[1]
If you just want to learn to play something, start on piano, violin, or guitar. These instruments generally have the most teachers in a given area, making it easy to find lessons and learn the basics of the instrument.
If you'd like to eventually play classical, art music, or jazz, it's important to pick up an instrument in the classical string category, a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. These players generally dedicate lots of time and scholarship to learning their instrument.
If you want to write your own songs and play pop music, it's usually best to pick up a guitar, bass guitar, piano, or learn to play the drum kit. While it's great to take lessons, lots of pop and folk musicians are self-taught, using DIY books, YouTube videos, and good old-fashioned trial and error.
Developing as a Player
1
Practice constantly. Even if you have a natural talent for a certain instrument, there's a difference between "playing an instrument" and "being a musician." That difference involves practice. Musicians are dedicated to improve their skills and learn new techniques and more complicated music on the instrument they've chosen. The only way to do that is regular and serious practice.[3]
Develop good practice habits and routines for yourself. Always practice using good posture, warm up beforehand, and try practicing for at least 20-40 minutes each day. Practice a mixture of techniques, skills, and fun activities. For every scale you learn, take the time to mess around learning the Star Wars theme or some other fun song.
Like when you exercise your body, consistency is very important. Try to practice every day, so you can maintain the good habits that you're building and develop them.
Taking the Next Step
1
Consider joining an established band. Playing with other instrumentalists and musicians can give you the skills you need to improve, learning their specific tricks of the trade, as well as giving you the opportunity to respond to play as a unit, making music as one.
If you want to play classical music or organized concert music, it's important to join a community band, a school band, or some other organized music group.
Playing with others is also a good way to keep your ego in check. David Hood, part of the Muscle Shoals recording studio and one of the greatest session bass players of all time, was once asked how he got such a great reputation as as reliable player and he said, "My gear always worked and I was always on time." Humility serves musicians well.
2
Play in front of people when you're ready. If you've been practicing your instrument on a regular basis and want to take it to the next level, it might be time to take your show public. Start by playing your best material in front of a few close and forgiving friends, or your parents, and start playing for other people. If you want to be a performer, you require an audience.
Coffee shop open-mics are a great way to find a forgiving audience who'll be warm and accepting. Most open-mics are full of hobbyists who want to get started and most crowds are friendly and easy-going. It's a great way to crack in.
Alternatively, just play for yourself. There's nowhere it says you have to ever play in front of anyone. Learn to play and enjoy the sounds you make for yourself.
3
Try starting your own group. Having trouble finding an established group or band to play with? Start your own. Don't wait around for other musicians to come to you, go out and find them. Put an ad up on Craigslist with your biggest influences and your desire to play with a group that plays a particular kind of music and vet the other players who get in touch. Hang around the local music shops and put up ads for players. Go to open-mics and make contacts with other local musicians who can play.[6]
4
Record your music. Getting a recording of yourself playing can be one of the most rewarding and fun things for a young musician. Being able to actually hear yourself playing over the speakers? Nothing cooler. And these days, it's easier than ever to record yourself quickly and easily at home, and to have it sound great.
Invest in a few cheap microphones to get started and record yourself directly to your computer using GarageBand or Audacity. Set the levels like you like them and burn CDs for your friends, or put them on your iPod.
If you're feeling really ambitious, you can share your recordings with the world. Record your best stuff and start a Bandcamp page or a Soundcloud account to give out quick links to your tunes.
5
Commit to the long haul. Even if you're talented, even if you're a hard worker, even if you're the best banjo picker in your town, it's possible that you'll struggle to be heard. Being a musician can be a slog for a lot of people, and it can take a long time before the fruits of your labor start to pay off, both in terms of skill building and getting any kind of recognition, much less money. The more dedicated you are, however, the bigger chance you give yourself for success.
Consider going to music school if you want to make contacts and receive individualized training on your instrument. [7] Even if you don't want to play classical, learning the skills of music production and history can give you an edge in the music business.
Practice, Practice, Practice. Professional musicians often begin their careers without knowing it at an early age. ...
Study Music Theory or Music Performance. Get your bachelor's degree in music theory or music performance. ...
Work Ethic and Coping Skills. ...
Gain Exposure and Perform Often.
Being a musician is so much more than playing notes on an instrument. Learning to pick the right instrument for you and start making music can be a life-changing experience for a lot of people. It's more than a hobby, a skill, or a talent. If you want to become a musician, you can learn to build the skills necessary to be the kind of player you want to be and make the kind of music you want to make, with practice.
Choosing an Instrument
Choose an instrument that suits your interests. If your goal is to become an on-stage rocker in a scruffy punk band, it's true that you could learn a lot about music playing the oboe, but it probably isn't the best way to form the band you want to form. If you want to play classical music and become a virtuoso, there's little room for synthesizer, unfortunately. Pick a category of instrument that fits your ambitions for being a musician.[1]
If you just want to learn to play something, start on piano, violin, or guitar. These instruments generally have the most teachers in a given area, making it easy to find lessons and learn the basics of the instrument.
If you'd like to eventually play classical, art music, or jazz, it's important to pick up an instrument in the classical string category, a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. These players generally dedicate lots of time and scholarship to learning their instrument.
If you want to write your own songs and play pop music, it's usually best to pick up a guitar, bass guitar, piano, or learn to play the drum kit. While it's great to take lessons, lots of pop and folk musicians are self-taught, using DIY books, YouTube videos, and good old-fashioned trial and error.
Developing as a Player
1
Practice constantly. Even if you have a natural talent for a certain instrument, there's a difference between "playing an instrument" and "being a musician." That difference involves practice. Musicians are dedicated to improve their skills and learn new techniques and more complicated music on the instrument they've chosen. The only way to do that is regular and serious practice.[3]
Develop good practice habits and routines for yourself. Always practice using good posture, warm up beforehand, and try practicing for at least 20-40 minutes each day. Practice a mixture of techniques, skills, and fun activities. For every scale you learn, take the time to mess around learning the Star Wars theme or some other fun song.
Like when you exercise your body, consistency is very important. Try to practice every day, so you can maintain the good habits that you're building and develop them.
Taking the Next Step
1
Consider joining an established band. Playing with other instrumentalists and musicians can give you the skills you need to improve, learning their specific tricks of the trade, as well as giving you the opportunity to respond to play as a unit, making music as one.
If you want to play classical music or organized concert music, it's important to join a community band, a school band, or some other organized music group.
Playing with others is also a good way to keep your ego in check. David Hood, part of the Muscle Shoals recording studio and one of the greatest session bass players of all time, was once asked how he got such a great reputation as as reliable player and he said, "My gear always worked and I was always on time." Humility serves musicians well.
2
Play in front of people when you're ready. If you've been practicing your instrument on a regular basis and want to take it to the next level, it might be time to take your show public. Start by playing your best material in front of a few close and forgiving friends, or your parents, and start playing for other people. If you want to be a performer, you require an audience.
Coffee shop open-mics are a great way to find a forgiving audience who'll be warm and accepting. Most open-mics are full of hobbyists who want to get started and most crowds are friendly and easy-going. It's a great way to crack in.
Alternatively, just play for yourself. There's nowhere it says you have to ever play in front of anyone. Learn to play and enjoy the sounds you make for yourself.
3
Try starting your own group. Having trouble finding an established group or band to play with? Start your own. Don't wait around for other musicians to come to you, go out and find them. Put an ad up on Craigslist with your biggest influences and your desire to play with a group that plays a particular kind of music and vet the other players who get in touch. Hang around the local music shops and put up ads for players. Go to open-mics and make contacts with other local musicians who can play.[6]
4
Record your music. Getting a recording of yourself playing can be one of the most rewarding and fun things for a young musician. Being able to actually hear yourself playing over the speakers? Nothing cooler. And these days, it's easier than ever to record yourself quickly and easily at home, and to have it sound great.
Invest in a few cheap microphones to get started and record yourself directly to your computer using GarageBand or Audacity. Set the levels like you like them and burn CDs for your friends, or put them on your iPod.
If you're feeling really ambitious, you can share your recordings with the world. Record your best stuff and start a Bandcamp page or a Soundcloud account to give out quick links to your tunes.
5
Commit to the long haul. Even if you're talented, even if you're a hard worker, even if you're the best banjo picker in your town, it's possible that you'll struggle to be heard. Being a musician can be a slog for a lot of people, and it can take a long time before the fruits of your labor start to pay off, both in terms of skill building and getting any kind of recognition, much less money. The more dedicated you are, however, the bigger chance you give yourself for success.
Consider going to music school if you want to make contacts and receive individualized training on your instrument. [7] Even if you don't want to play classical, learning the skills of music production and history can give you an edge in the music business.
Riley Carr
Business Analyst
179
Answers
Hollywood, Florida
Updated
Riley’s Answer
I think the first step here is to start taking either voice lessons or lessons in an instrument of your choice. By finding someone near you who can teach you the ways of this industry and help you develop your skills, you will definitely be on the right path. As for now, keep practicing writing your music and performing it maybe in front of family or friends. The more popular your music becomes at home, the higher your chances of being discovered will be.