what steps can i take to go further in music?

Hi Iza,

It is important to gain as much experience in different musical genres as possible. As well as giving you more knowledge in the area, it will allow you to decide which direction you would like your career to take.

Listening to live music and performing allows you to assess musical ability, interact with audiences and be exposed to new musical ideas.

Some university courses include work placements in areas such as music education and instrumental teaching, recording and studio work, composition and events management. It may also be helpful to pursue opportunities with music-related employers, for example schools or venues that regularly host musical acts.

If you are seeking a career in a different area, it is useful to gain experience. You can do this through university involvement, paid opportunities or volunteer work. These experiences can often be combined with your current study by working in the evenings, on weekends or during the summer holidays.

Music graduates work in a range of professions inside and outside music. If you choose to follow a music career you may have to take on several roles with different employers. For example, you could combine teaching with freelance performance work, as well as doing contract/session work on particular projects.

Music graduates can be found working for a variety of employers on both a freelance and contract basis. Employers include:

• schools and colleges;


• orchestras;


• music retailers;


• media organisations;


• the armed forces;


• commercial organisations;


• a range of employers in the cultural and creative industries.

Skills for your CV
A music degree gives you a broad base of skills including:

good physical dexterity, memory and concentration - developed in practice and performance;

communication skills - developed through performing and engaging listeners;

teamwork - through working in bands or orchestras as a player, leader or manager;

self-management - physical and mental self-discipline achieved through regular practice;

performing under pressure - overcoming nervousness in order to perform well during exams, concerts and auditions;

planning - organising and working towards a project/performance;

technical skills and expertise - using technology to create and record music and studying acoustics;

critical reflection - giving and receiving criticism, learning from mistakes and striving for improved performance.

You may gain knowledge of how music is used in different communities and cultures and develop an understanding of professional ethics in the arts world. When thinking about further study, you may consider a purely academic music qualification or degree options in community music, cultural management or musicology.

Almost two thirds of music graduates are in full-time employment six months after graduation. Of those in work, almost 16% are working as musicians. Just under a quarter of music graduates go on to do further study or a combination of work and study.

You can read more in: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_music.htm

I wish you all the best!

The best way to further your career is to start taking serious steps about your career now. The first step is to set up a recording studio and record. I'll give you the steps to get started:

-Get studio you need a computer or laptop if not new you can buy one or the other its your choice from the pawn shop or get your parents or parent to buy it
-Get a recording program
- Get a microphone and some earphones
- you can google free recording software download it
- you can get a computer from a local thrift store or an old computer donated that some one has laying around
- you can find a nice cheap mic and head phones search Amazon and start recording

-You want to copyright your music (get your parents or family or friend to help you)
-Get on a music platform - here is some you can put your music on for soundcloud

-You can google "where can i as a independent artist post my music online" ..there are tons of them

I hope this will help you get started. I want to hear some music from you! Remember stay humble and take what you do seriously. Not everybody will like your music but there will be others that will if you go about it this way you will not let negativity get you down. Hopefully this info helps you.