3 answers
Ashique
Student
Port St. Lucie, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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How to follow music without being broke?
I have always wanted to perform
#music #musician
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3 answers
Punya S R
Final-Year Student (UG) | Visiting Student at Imperial College London
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Punya’s Answer
Hey Ashique!
In my opinion, it is very important to follow your passions.
But, it is also important to look at it from an objective perspective - let's also be realistic.
Maybe you could get a normal job first, and then pursue music as a side hobby.
Once this hobby reaches a particular level, and you are ready to take it to the next stage and to make a career out of it, and you have also made enough savings from your regular job to sustain yourself for a few months - then, you can think about quitting your regular job and pursue music full-time.
Tip: Social media and Spotify's music making platform SoundTrap seems to be the rage these days. You can probably create music there and post it on Instagram Reels, for getting wider attention from the public.
All the best for your future endeavours!
In my opinion, it is very important to follow your passions.
But, it is also important to look at it from an objective perspective - let's also be realistic.
Maybe you could get a normal job first, and then pursue music as a side hobby.
Once this hobby reaches a particular level, and you are ready to take it to the next stage and to make a career out of it, and you have also made enough savings from your regular job to sustain yourself for a few months - then, you can think about quitting your regular job and pursue music full-time.
Tip: Social media and Spotify's music making platform SoundTrap seems to be the rage these days. You can probably create music there and post it on Instagram Reels, for getting wider attention from the public.
All the best for your future endeavours!
Larry Brown
Retired Project Mgr. / Author / Musician
11
Answers
Bunker Hill, West Virginia
Updated
Larry’s Answer
Dear Ashique,
Definitely commit yourself to your passion and never give up. But if you let go of the expectation to make a living wage in music, you might be happier. If you make it big great but if you're not willing to be broke all the time (and I don't know anyone who is willing) then maybe you'll have to do other types of work to make up the difference. I'm 71 and have performed music part time since I was 15. If you want to give it a shot while you're young then go for it. But keep an eye on your expectations. I chose to work full time in the trades and saved all my income so I could take time off to devote myself to my music. One time when I got a full time job playing music, it wasn't enough to live off of. If you like the idea of teaching singing as a full time job, there's a terrific degree program at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester VA you should check out. It's called "Vocal Pedagogy". Good luck.
Definitely commit yourself to your passion and never give up. But if you let go of the expectation to make a living wage in music, you might be happier. If you make it big great but if you're not willing to be broke all the time (and I don't know anyone who is willing) then maybe you'll have to do other types of work to make up the difference. I'm 71 and have performed music part time since I was 15. If you want to give it a shot while you're young then go for it. But keep an eye on your expectations. I chose to work full time in the trades and saved all my income so I could take time off to devote myself to my music. One time when I got a full time job playing music, it wasn't enough to live off of. If you like the idea of teaching singing as a full time job, there's a terrific degree program at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester VA you should check out. It's called "Vocal Pedagogy". Good luck.
Nir Krawczyk
Software Engineer
126
Answers
Yonkers, New York
Updated
Nir’s Answer
The basic way that the vast majority of performing artists make a living is by teaching. Even the most successful touring artists I know still teach during the day when they're home. Many people work out of a music school or do private lessons. A few people get tenured positions at universities or as a high school band conductor but those are hard to balance with a demanding gig schedule. But if you're really really lucky you could make your entire living as a performer by being on tour all year or getting some very high paying studio-session work.