4 answers
Damaury
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
2
Questions
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What would be the best way to get a foot in the music business??
#music-performance #singer
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4 answers
Chris Brown
Manage Risk
1
Answer
Opa-locka, Florida
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Hi Damaury,
Hope you are doing well. The first step is to ask yourself and write down five reasons why you want to be in the music business, by the fifth "why" your question will be more explicit. Next, determine what genre of artist you would like to become and start thinking of your niche. Once you've identified your niche determine if your local town has an appetite for your style and perform for FREE, at every single open mic, talent show, family and friend's gatherings available. During this phase take all the criticism as an opportunity to develop your skills and develop a fanbase. Make sure you film and document every event. Also, work on writing songs every day and study the great performers you idolize and understand their work ethic.
What I described above should be fun if you are a pure performer and love the art? The business will find you once you develop a following , but the art must be developed first since the days of A&R is non existence.
There is an author by the name Wendy Day, her book "How to Get a Record Deal" is an excellent book that you can learn valuable insight to the music business, however you cannot skip the steps I mentioned above, which you will find in her book.
Remember this is a brutal grind that will take blood, sweat, and tears. If you want it, you have to make plenty of sacrifices.
Good Luck!
Hope you are doing well. The first step is to ask yourself and write down five reasons why you want to be in the music business, by the fifth "why" your question will be more explicit. Next, determine what genre of artist you would like to become and start thinking of your niche. Once you've identified your niche determine if your local town has an appetite for your style and perform for FREE, at every single open mic, talent show, family and friend's gatherings available. During this phase take all the criticism as an opportunity to develop your skills and develop a fanbase. Make sure you film and document every event. Also, work on writing songs every day and study the great performers you idolize and understand their work ethic.
What I described above should be fun if you are a pure performer and love the art? The business will find you once you develop a following , but the art must be developed first since the days of A&R is non existence.
There is an author by the name Wendy Day, her book "How to Get a Record Deal" is an excellent book that you can learn valuable insight to the music business, however you cannot skip the steps I mentioned above, which you will find in her book.
Remember this is a brutal grind that will take blood, sweat, and tears. If you want it, you have to make plenty of sacrifices.
Good Luck!
Matthew Raye
38
Answers
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Every creative content producer I've met strives to make, maintain, and advertise a portfolio of their work. I've seen artists maintain a professional-type Instagram and affordable website to showcase their various pieces, musicians publishing on sites like SoundCloud, YouTube, y'know.
It's a very competitive world with these sorts of pursuits. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and make a brand of yourself. Particularly as a musician and live performer, don't be afraid to hit the town and find the bars and restaurants in your area that allow indie artists to perform. A jazz musician coworker has a small social group that would hit him up every few weeks to participate in a live show - he'd play a couple hours on a weeknight, maybe get a small fee from the venue and split the tips.
It's a grind for sure. You've got to love it.
And always be personable; those creative-types who finagled their way into salaried positions with companies would often outsource parts of their projects to contacts they met in school or otherwise - it's good to be and have contacts.
Best luck!
It's a very competitive world with these sorts of pursuits. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and make a brand of yourself. Particularly as a musician and live performer, don't be afraid to hit the town and find the bars and restaurants in your area that allow indie artists to perform. A jazz musician coworker has a small social group that would hit him up every few weeks to participate in a live show - he'd play a couple hours on a weeknight, maybe get a small fee from the venue and split the tips.
It's a grind for sure. You've got to love it.
And always be personable; those creative-types who finagled their way into salaried positions with companies would often outsource parts of their projects to contacts they met in school or otherwise - it's good to be and have contacts.
Best luck!
Adam Scharff
Lead Audio Engineer
6
Answers
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Updated
Adam’s Answer
Hey Damaury, this question i from a while ago nut I think it's a great one. If you are interested in the music "industry' that is not being an artist per se but being an industry professional a great way is through summer internships. All major labels, large studios, booking/talent agencies will have summer internships. You will get a feel for what the job/company is like, as well as being exposed to jobs you would never have thought of.
The most important thing is to understand about relationship building. Everyone you meet is a person, with their own life and struggles. Being a "good hang' who is pleasant to be around and fun to chat with is much more important than you might think. As well as being a hard worker who is punctual and professional.
You got this!
The most important thing is to understand about relationship building. Everyone you meet is a person, with their own life and struggles. Being a "good hang' who is pleasant to be around and fun to chat with is much more important than you might think. As well as being a hard worker who is punctual and professional.
You got this!
Judeanne Armenti
Over 20 years of creative and outgoing music industry and event management expertise.
28
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Judeanne’s Answer
Hi Damaury!
That's a very general question... how to "get a foot into the music business?"
Start by being specific with what you want.
If you're a musician, then you must find places and people to play with. It's not too easy at the moment but things are getting better as the industry opens back up.
If you want to get into the business of the music business then, again, you've got to be specific. Do you want to work with artists, specifically for artists? There's managing, booking, business management, and marketing. Most careers working for musicians start by just finding someone whose music you like and getting to know them and helping them out.
Investigate the various parts of the industry - record labels, recording studios, management companies, booking agents, etc. See where your interests and talents are and go from there.
Reach out if you have more questions.
Enjoy the ride!
That's a very general question... how to "get a foot into the music business?"
Start by being specific with what you want.
If you're a musician, then you must find places and people to play with. It's not too easy at the moment but things are getting better as the industry opens back up.
If you want to get into the business of the music business then, again, you've got to be specific. Do you want to work with artists, specifically for artists? There's managing, booking, business management, and marketing. Most careers working for musicians start by just finding someone whose music you like and getting to know them and helping them out.
Investigate the various parts of the industry - record labels, recording studios, management companies, booking agents, etc. See where your interests and talents are and go from there.
Reach out if you have more questions.
Enjoy the ride!