The Simple Dilema of a Musician

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Category: For Musicians

Published on Tuesday, 27 December 2011 00:05

Written by Administrator

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All this time I have performed so many gigs, shared the stage with plenty of bands and performers as well as sound engineers and producers.  Yet in the middle of all this involvement I never came close to facing the simple dilemma of all musicians; really its just a question. "Am I into music or the music business?'

There is a difference. If you're in it because you just like jamming and just want to play for folks, then you're doing ok and should never expect to make actual money, like, live off of music.  If you are out there because you want to make money off your music/talent, then you should be in the music business.

I just want to jam! All of us have said it at some point and we meant it.  As you can imagine, I know quite a whole mass of musicians and almost as big a number that gripe about not being able to live off of their music.  All those guys have one thing in common; they're into music, however no one is IN the music business.

Our Band Is Different We Will Make It! Right on! Yes, your band maybe different but if you do not treat your entire band like a business, I don't care if you think you're the next Beatles, you are just into music.  From organized practices to equipment, press kits, photos, Riders, Manager, publisher, CD's, merchandise, websites, contracts, etc. You almost have to have the organization of a CEO if you plan to make money off of the band and its music or performances. That may also include having a 2-hour set of popular covers so as to obtain a lucrative gig somewhere.

Well, they need to pay for Security first. Ah ha!  Security officers are actually getting paid before anyone else in an establishment.  Why? Because everyone understands they are there to make money for a service and unless you run your band and shows as professionally as they do, you can't compete with that.  A professional musician should prepare just as thoroughly as an NFL player respectively.  It is a bold statement that may shock some of you but it's true.  Your skills must be top notch but also the business aspect of musicianship must not be taken lightly.  There are NFL teams that simulate bad weather in practice anticipating the next game's likely conditions!  So if you expect to be taken seriously as an artist, why not practice your stage act with such precision??!!

Sounds too extreme... I just want to jam - Go ahead and jam! No problem. But attention to details like these are just a small example of what needs to be done to get you to live off your music.  I could sit here and write more about advice on the music business but my point here is just to shed some light on what jamming and banking mean.

But I'm just a musician! - With so many great musicians out there you don't stand a chance living up to your potential financially. We've all heard that artist that shouldn't be called an artist yet they made it! How? Not by making good music, but by making great business moves within music.  If you are an independent artist and want to live off of your music, your dilema is simple.  Are you into music or in the music business? Will you wait to be discovered or will you discover your opportunity to make it.

It is quite simple; Hobby or Career? Artist or Business Musician?

Good luck!!!

RA-

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