The tip aim for a lot of musicians is to go full-time. That’s my aim. I need to get up daily, make music, and do all of the issues wanted to construct a sustainable music profession. Nevertheless it’s not for everybody. It’s tough. It may be discouraging. And also you in all probability received’t get wealthy. However that doesn’t imply you shouldn’t go for it.
The Actuality of Being a Full-Time Musician
Most full-time musicians are blue-collar, middle-class musicians. They’re making a residing, sure. They’ll pay lease and their payments, and perhaps they’ll afford enjoyable stuff at times. However they’re not wealthy.
The stats on how musicians truly generate income are slim, however we do have some assets. We do know performing dwell is the primary supply of revenue for many energetic musicians.
It’s the primary revenue stream for five of the 6 skilled musicians I wrote about.
This very small research of 75 musicians exhibits performing is the second largest revenue stream.
And this research, final revised in 2015, exhibits us that performing is the largest income stream.
Anecdotally, my good friend makes an honest residing enjoying company occasions and weddings.
Numerous artists make a residing from home exhibits.
And many of the full-timers on this Reddit thread play a ton of exhibits, and it seems like exhibits are their primary supply of revenue.
Nonetheless, many full-timers are pulling from a number of revenue streams. So for those who’re going to go all-in, count on to be juggling many issues without delay.
For instance, I’m totally self-employed. I’m not a full-time musician – it’s about half music and half different random stuff. Right here’s what a standard workweek appears like for me:
- Writing advertising emails for small companies
- Writing weblog posts that assist different musicians (like this one)
- Producing/mixing music for different artists
- Modifying podcasts for shoppers
- Writing songs for my subsequent challenge
- Posting content material that promotes my music (which results in extra tune streams)
- Enjoying the occasional home live performance
- Submitting music to the sync licensing firms I work with
See what number of issues I just do to get by? That is the truth for a lot of musicians attempting to make music their profession. Simply so that you’re conscious of what it appears like.
What Occurs If You Fail?
There’s a saying: “There aren’t any failures, solely quitters.” So long as you’re nonetheless pursuing music as a profession, you’re not failing. Yeah, perhaps you’re not on the stage you need to be at (this sense by no means goes away). However you’re hopefully nonetheless making progress.
For those who resolve to give up pursuing music as a profession, that’s your alternative. You’re not a failure, you’ve simply realized it’s not for you. For instance, this music marketer talks about how he “determined” to give up being knowledgeable musician.
And for those who resolve to give up, to alter paths, that’s completely high quality. Like I mentioned on the high, full-time musicianship just isn’t for everybody. You possibly can nonetheless make nice music even if in case you have a day job or one other profession.
Simply ask your self, “Will I remorse this choice after I’m older? Will I want I had stored attempting?” Actually take time to consider your reply. It may possibly convey you a whole lot of readability.
What Occurs If You Succeed?
Success is subjective, so you might want to determine that out for your self. However for me, the aim is to make my complete residing from my musical abilities. Finally, I need to spend daily making music or not less than doing issues that additional my music profession.
I need to proceed to be my very own boss and set my very own schedule. And I’m not alone in that feeling.
“I’m 38 now,” one Redditor mentioned. “And I noticed a number of years in the past that what I worth most is freedom and independence. Freedom from an alarm clock. Freedom to make my very own schedule and spend my days how I select. Freedom from bosses and supervisors and company tradition and politics. Freedom to pursue tasks that excited me.”
I can confidently say that each musician who’s attempting to make music their profession would resonate with this remark.
This musician continued, laying out their typical day by day work schedule:
- Get up “with out an alarm clock”
- Go for a protracted stroll by the water
- Come residence and do some work on a facet hustle or tinker round of their studio
- Have a day nap
- Round dinnertime, pack up their guitar
- Play a 3-hour gig
- Join with individuals, have a few drinks
- Go residence to their very own mattress beside their spouse
Sounds fairly cool, proper?
And such a work life isn’t unique to performing musicians. Numerous individuals make a residing from sync licensing. Or associated hustles like being a YouTuber.
No matter path you select to develop into a full-time musician, it would in all probability contain a number of streams of revenue, a whole lot of laborious work, and stamina. For those who by no means give up, you’ll hold getting nearer to your supreme profession and life.