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Careers / Musicians, Instrumental |
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| Happiness Index |
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| Users in this Career Group |
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| There are 1608 users in this career group. They represent 30 different countries. You can see the list of users in this career group by clicking on one of the links below. You can also join this career group simply by selecting your current status and clicking "Add Me." |
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124 users are currently in this career. |
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44 users are considering this career. |
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24 users left or retired from this career. |
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1416 users have hidden memberships. |
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| (Hidden users have added this career to their portfolios, but have not indicated a publicly visible status.) |
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| Reviews |
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are 3 reviews of this career. The most recent 3 reviews are listed below. You can see more reviews by clicking on "Read all reviews..." at the bottom of this page. |
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| Write an online review and share your thoughts about this career with others! |
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Author: |
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Anonymous |
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Date: |
September 11, 2007 |
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Right now I am teaching private voice lessons to students mostly at the college level. It is a very rewarding job and pays relatively well. Right now I charge $20/hour. Seeing and hearing improvement in students technique, presence, tone, and overall ability are the best part of the job. Although a degree is not required, I would suggest pursuing a bachelors in voice performance or music education at a 4-year college. The best way to learn how to teach singing is to learn how to sing. Also learning anatomy, especially that of the face and respiratory system is a must. It goes without saying that reading music is a requirement. Also, the better you are at playing piano, the more effective your demonstrations and lessons will go. Downsides to the job are few, but include payment hassles with students, overly-demanding parents, and scheduling concerns. If you truly love singing and enjoy teaching people, this is a great career. |
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| Write an online review and share your thoughts about this career with others! |
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| Write an online review and share your thoughts about this career with others! |
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Author: |
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Anonymous |
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Date: |
February 04, 2007 |
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Music isn't a career for everyone. Even having talent does not mean you should choose a career in music. Those who do usually do so because nothing else suits them. I was drawn to it by a love of all things musical: the sound of it, performing in concert, recitals, symphonies, clubs, teaching, learning about instruments, music history, recording, publishing, directing, composing, and managing, and I've done all the above.
There are very few jobs for which a musician can walk up, apply (or audition), and then work for a salary like most people. The standard joke is that after each gig you're unemployed again. In reality, it's an ongoing process of finding work. Above, I wrote a short list of such work. Learning new skills increases your chances of finding things. Learning about tv, radio, booking acts, recording, managing groups, concert halls, clubs, etc. are some ways to familiarize yourself with this extensive business. Staying up-to-date on the technology keeps your services valuable.
My musical heroes start with JS Bach, the greatest musician who ever lived, and include a long list of classical composers. But they don't stop there. I'm tremendously moved by Johnny Cash, the Beatles, and a long list of popular artists. I don't categorize music as the stores do. There are just two kinds: music which moves me, and that which does not. The first group is the largest, but that's the icing on the cake. Underneath the music itself, behind the scenes, is a huge industry of people who hardly realize they are working together. For example, I've met people who work for ASCAP or BMI, travelling the country listening to radio stations, juke boxes, club bands, and concerts, just making sure that everyone gets paid. That's one of the more obscure jobs in the business, but very important! There are people who make deals, people who copy parts, people who make instruments, sell or repair them.
Fame and fortune are the last thing on the minds of probably 95% of the people in this business. But what if you're in that remaining 5%? We all imagine it from time to time, but most keep a good attitude about it. You have to if you plan to do this all your life. We have encounters with it; it comes and goes. Eventually you learn that the top eschalons of fame are reserved for the few who happen to be in position for it when opportunity knocks, and that's about as predictable as the weather. Those who are driven to the top need no road map. They just keep driving, learning as they go, making mistakes, trying again. Some get there. Others don't.
A pop career requires an enormous amount of work by a group of people who are dedicated to launching you. They are generally motivated by money, so expect to pay their way, and make it worthwhile for them when you finally "make it." It's not just your talent which gets you there, but your business acumen and ability to put together a team of people who are strong in areas you are not, such as raising money, acquiring backers, and marketing. One hopes that their talent is unique enough to draw an adoring public into fandom, but as anyone who has watched American Idol knows: 1) great talent is essential, but 2) even great talent does not easily translate into a career. It also requires personality, magic and luck. It's a lot like winning the lottery.
Is college necessary? Though I have two degrees in music, I can honestly say that outside of the education and classical music field (where college is essential), college degrees in music may hinder more than a help. Many music majors seem out of touch with the business. Other majors are good, though. Just don't feel like you have to get your degree in music to "qualify." Popular music education comes by playing for people anywhere, eventually moving to New York, Nashville, or Las Vegas, or Los Angeles and jumping into the fire. A musician must be able to go anywhere and change directions on a dime, at least until getting established. There will be few people to encourage you and many will try their best to drive you away. Deals made today may be regretable tomorrow (befriend an attorney), and somewhere, you've got to find the time to practice! Read interviews with performers, or watch on DVD. Learn all you can; you'll need it.
I cannot rate a music career with a top score, because it has no job security, no insurance or benefits, and let's face it: it's harsh and discouraging. It can hit you hard where you least expect, such as temporary poverty and your own self-respect. But if you just can't stay away from it in spite of all the warnings, I have to admit, it's fun. You meet interesting people, you find yourself in places others only dream about, there's travel, appreciative listeners, and on lonely nights you always have your music to pass the time. The history of music is sort of a "behind-the-scenes" history of the world, and it is gratifying to be a part of it, however large or small.
Shooshie |
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| Interesting Fact |
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| Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the world (1,300,000 employees). 3 of the top 10 employers in the world are American; 4 of the top 10 are Chinese. |
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| Did you know... |
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| The MyPlan.com Personality Test scores and ranks 900 different careers based on how well they match your personality! |
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