Ugly Truth: Making Money With Music

So as a musician coming up through the ranks, I have played far and wide for much less than anything that is considered monetary compensation. I understood the value of playing with different people and in different places. Each time there was a lesson to learn. Different people play different ways and have different experiences. Experiences that I could learn from and use to further my playing. Mind you that this is a time before YouTube. Watching a musician is now as simple as typing in a keyword into a webs search. Still I think there is an intangible that is gained when playing with many different groups of people. No matter how you approach it, this is a wealth of knowledge to be had by applying your skills and talents in as many different applications as possible. Having said that, there are those rare and precious opportunities to gain more than knowledge from all this work. That's right, money. There are people who get paid to play. Lets look at some examples.

Music Labels:
There are many ways to get paid for the music that we love. No matter what type of music we play. Some become so proficient at their craft that others invest in the music that they make. Yes, I'm talking about music labels. artists are paid by people who want to market a certain brand of music. Basically, a music label is a company, or part of a company, that try to make money form talented artist and in return they pay the artist. The music is viewed as a product to market and sell. Of course There are many that criticize the music industry for how they handle artist's natural creative process. Also, there are some like myself that feel as though music as an art suffers because the artist that more financial backing gets more exposure and thus more wins more popularity. I won't go as far as to say that the larger music labels dictate what music is you listen to, but when was the last time you listened to an album that was completely independently produced? There has been a trend where established bands/artists take their own funds and independently record an album. This really doesn't count, due to the fact that without the help of a large label rocketing the artists/bands to their current status. How does one get on with one of this labels? Be a extremely talented artist? Yes, but there are so many talented artists. You must truly standout and make yourself noticed.

Pictured: Getting noticed.

The Working Musician:

Many artist we know today got there start this way. This is the conventional way most musicians think of monetizing their talents. Playing at bars and venues can net small profits (even smaller if share between band members). Many bands don't see dime one before become established in the local scene. This option may require you learning some covers. Some places may favor certain genres, so you may have to be steeped in dozens of songs spanning diverse genres. Being one of these musicians for a time I learned that your best friend can be your merch table. Having a CD, stickers, a shirt or buttons can boost revenue. Many find this lifestyle hard to maintain. More than anything, the revenue made from doing this is just enough to keep the habit going. There have been innovations in the way people enjoy and lesson to music. The ipod had nearly single-handedly redefined how people buy music. YouTube provides many people with a way to listen to their favorite artist/song without making a transaction. Artists and musicians have taken notice and have been creating and posting content online. Some use it as a way to get noticed (see above) and other have used it too make money. Digital media is sold online at staggering rates. Many artist post videos on YouTube to create interest in their music.

pomplamoose. No I don't know how it pronounced.

Church:

Many musicians are employed by churches. This option is not appealing to everyone because there are many different views, even in the Christian church, about music. Not all church pay musicians. Many rely of volunteer, but larger churches that can afford to heir professional musicians do. These jobs often require commitment, flexibility and strong interpersonal skills. Many of these jobs depend of public opinion to grade your performance, so being likability can come in hand. Not to mention that getting this job may require a group of people voting for approval, so charm is almost as important as musical talent.

Education:

Perhaps the easiest means of monetizing musical talent/knowledge, teaching students music happens naturally. Just being a musicians creates interest in the instrument. My mother always had a piano in the house, so of course I wanted to learn to play. I didn't stick with the keyboard, but I think it created the interest that led me to my instruments of choice. Giving music lessons can be a fun way to help a new generation to play music and perhaps teach yourself a few new things. Many music stores offer lessons and need instructors. Many people teach out of their homes or studios. This presents many of the same challenges as running your own business.

There are several ways to make money with what you love. Music is a huge industry that is even changing. There is no guarantee that you will make millions, but with if you are dedicated to your craft then there are several ways create revenue from all the hard work of learning your musical instrument.