what is some advice on earning a stable salary as a musician?
I know that I will be a musician when I grow up but I might end up homeless also due to having no money. #music #salary #pay #performing-arts
2 answers
Vineeth’s Answer
* Teaching Music Lessons
* Playing Small Gigs
* Freelance Music Writing.
* Launch Your Own YouTube Channel.
* Search Upwork for Odd Music Jobs.
* Taking it to the Next Level.
Making money as a musician can be a real challenge, especially when you’re only at the beginning of your journey, but drive, determination and a willingness to keep honing your skills can take you where you want to go. You just need to take the work seriously and commit to a regular process of creativity.
Alex’s Answer
The easiest way is to make a living outside of music and be a musician on the side.
If you're a classical musician, and IF you can win an audition, then being an orchestral musician would be a stable salary as long as the orchestra doesn't go out of business. Universities strongly prefer/require a doctorate to teach and those positions are still difficult to come by as well. To be stable purely as a freelancer is next to impossible. The idea is to have an "anchor income" and build around that. You could work at a church, teach at a local college, etc. Most of these opportunities are becoming part time positions paying $15-20k. Then you get additional work on top of that. You might make $30k one year and $45k the next, followed by $15-20k. Unfortunately so much changes on a yearly basis and work comes through word of mouth.
Your other option would be to become a military musician. If you can deal with deployments and a stricter approach to music, that could be a good option. Each branch treats musicians differently, so you will want to do a lot of research to know what you're signing up for if you do this.
If you are anything other than classical, the military has a handful of guitarists, bassists, etc. Otherwise you will need to get a group together that members fulfill multiple rolls. Everyone needs to be a good musician but also, someone needs to be good at business (reserving gigs), logistics (scheduling tours), web design/social media/marketing (all can help if they're good), finances (touring is pricey, but it's the best way to make profit).
Personally, I have been a professional musician for 11 years. I have managed orchestras, been a member of rock bands, jazz bands, orchestras, etc. I have played musical theatre and taught at collegiate events. I am currently in a career change because too many of my "anchor incomes" went away. Some theatres replaced the pit orchestra with CDs, the college near me got rid of part time positions and just added the responsibilities to already full time professors. Some areas of the country still have a way for freelance musicians to make a living, but many areas seem to be losing it.
I would highly suggest talking to those working in the area that you want to be in (and genre). Ask their opinion and ask if they would recommend starting a career as a musician in that area today (and why).