Careers in Music

Factual Questions
1

Okay, I’m a senior in high school. I’m supposed to be making decisions on what I want to do with my life. One of my interests is music-- I’m a brass player, primarily bass trombone, though I can also play euphonium (tenor 'bone too, though I haven’t done that in years). Anyway, I’ve been thinking about majoring in music. If I did, what sort of jobs are out there? How hard is it to find work? I know I don’t want to do music education, as I don’t want to be a teacher. (I don’t think I’d be good at teaching.) Would I be able to make a living off music? I’ve heard of plenty of people who end up doing something else and just playing gigs occasionally to sort of supplement their income.

-Neil

2

Well, if you aren’t interested in teaching, don’t major in music. Not much point. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you could make a living doing sesion work, I never met a brass player who would play for free, so someone must be paying them. I tried to make a living on a couple of occasions, doing nothing but performing, but never could make enough to live off of(I’m a keyboard player). Of course, in Texas, you can’t make much playing anything but country, and I couldn’t bring myself to do that. I know people who have albums out, are getting airplay, and still work day-jobs to get by. It’s possible, don’t let anyone tell you you it isn’t, but be sure you have a back up way to make a living. You could go the orchestral route, don’t know much about what it takes to get that kinda gig. Can’t imagine that there would be too many spots open though. I’ve know a couple of syphony violinist, but they all taught on the side. In short, at least around here, its damn hard to make a living doing just music. What part of the country do you live in?

3

Unless you can’t see yourself doing anything else besides music, don’t go there. If you’re a bass 'bone player, you have few choices: you can teach, you can shoot for an orchestral gig, you can shoot for a big band gig or you can freelance (playing, writing, scoring, whatever). Frankly, you have better odds making it in the NBA–and that’s assuming you’ve never picked up a basketball in your life.

Having said that, I was a music major (proud owner of a Bach. Mus. in bassoon performance) and I don’t regret it for a moment. Go to college to learn how to think and how to learn. If you’re going there on the pretext of playing bass trombone, God bless you. But the job opportunities for 'bone players are slim.

BTW–I make a good living doing financial analysis for a REIT. I learned how to think that way by tearing apart Bach fugues. And I still play (bass guitar, not bassoon) regularly. It’s not a bad life.

4

I’m in almost the same situation (only I wouldn’t mind teaching). But I’m more interested in the composing aspect of music. What kind of money is there behind writing film scores, or being the behind-the-scenes guy who writes Britney Spears music? Everytime I write music I just wish I was getting paid for it, cuz it’s so much fun.

5

another take - I know several folk who make their living in the music industry at large, in a variety of ways.

Yea, you can write music, but it’s not just limited to Brittney et al, you can also write jingles for commercials (both local and national), ie hook up with an ad agency. Also, music stores hire a lot of music majors, selling, fixing equipment etc. Lessons both private and through music stores, and the basic local bar scene.

The issue is, however, most of the professional musicians I know (and I know quite a few, given the fact I’m not in the biz myself), almost all have a day job, too. Like I mentioned often in a company making, selling or fixing instruements or equipment, but a day job none the less. Like the standard joke “what do you call a drummer who’s broken up with his girlfriend? Homeless.”

6

Actually there are tons of carreers available in the music industry for music majors. The only bad part is that they are pretty much located in Nashville, NYC, or Los Angeles. Overall they don’t pay great until you get a lot of recognition. If you want to write film scores you will have to live in New York or LA, or at least have quick access to there, belong to the screenwriters guild (I think) and the local musicians union. Even that doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to make a living doing that. The local musician unions (Oh, I forgot ASCAP or BMI would also be a must to join), ASCAP or BMI will post fees that you will be paid. You will get royalities also for your film writing; however, in your initial phases it will be very low (less than a dollar per screening and probably closer to 5-10 cents. Two books to check out will be the following: Great Jobs for Music Majors by Jan Goldberg (has a list of various carreers that are within the music field not necessarily from the performance aspect) and The Musician’s Business & Legal Guide compiled and edited by Mark Halloran, Esq. (which contains some basics for the composer/performer on contract law and royalty fees).

I also majored in music with composition being my focus. It is very tough breaking into the field as even if you are willing to play different styles of music it is tough finding other performers who are willing to put the time and effort into following a performing venue over the long term. I have played professionally getting paid up to about $800 a gig (solo) or about $200 (in a small group for myself), taught (from $20-40/hour with private lessons. I don’t want to teach unless it is college level and I don’t have the minimum of a master’s degree which is required), and both wrote and scored music (I have won a couple of compositional awards for various types of classical guitar pieces but they were relatively small, less than a thousand dollars for the competitions, and about $25 a page with a minimum of four pages for scoring, which amounted anywhere from about $100-$400 for the various pieces.)

That may sound like a lot of money from a high schoolers type of perspective but I should also mention that it wasn’t steady money. I had to really look for those types of things and there was no guaranteeing that I would get paid every week for doing that type of work. I still keep my ears open for varying gigs and am trying to put another band together to play up in the DC area. Initially you will be able to perform in many places but for just recognition pretty much. Eventually you will be able to make a lot of money (assuming you are good and develop a following) but that takes a really long time. In the meantime you will probably need to have a day job of some kind. This all assumes that you do not follow the teaching route.

I hope this gives you some decent insight.

HUGS!
Sqrl

7

I am also a senior in high school, and I really enjoy music. I’ve been talking with my parents and thinking about careers for a while now, and you’d be amazed at how many different jobs there are. There are things like Music Therapy, which is like using music for therapy (duh), or Auditorium (sp?) acoustics and design, where you can figure out what kinds of wall and such make the best sound for a hall. There are so many things that you can do, and the web is probably a great place to search for things like that. I personally think it would be sweet to start a music cafe, where I just have all different kinds of music gigs, from Rock to Classical to Jazz, play there. That would be my dream job. But anyways, if you dig around you will come up with a lot to do with music, instead of just your perform or teach options.

8

Some thoughts from your friendly neighborhood band director…

First of all, if you haven’t tried teaching, don’t knock it. The rewards, while not always financial, are often stunning.

Enough of the baloney…

I recently had a few drinks with an old college buddy of mine. He’s a professional drummer with a well-known country singer (who shall remain nameless, but you old timers would recognize his name). I asked my friend Scott if his experience in college helped him. He was overwhelmingly positive. He said that what he learned in his theory and composition classes have aided him tremendously. He is able to understand what the composer wants and can explain it quickly to others. Since much popular music is written in short-hand, being able to understand what Dm7 means has helped him. Even being a drummer, he needs to understand where the song is going. Following the chord progression helps him to do this.

This is my long-winded way of suggesting you ignore bdgr’s advice. Go to college and learn how to learn. Look for a school that offers some emphasis on an aspect of the music industry that appeals to you. Here in Texas, The University of North Texas has an excellent music performance program. It is truly outstanding. Southwest Texas State University has one of the only four-year programs in recording technology. You actually work in a modern, professional recording studio owned by the University. Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and Texas A & M University at Kingsville are well known for turning out school band directors.

Other resources:

Ask your band director for his/her copy of School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s College Search Guide Band directors across the country received ten or more copies of this valuable resource. Check out the magazine online at http://www.sbomagazine.com . Talk to your band director about career opporunities.

SqrlCub makes lots of good points (as usual). I have to take exception to the idea that all the good jobs are in LA, Nashville, or NYC. Don’t forget Austin. Outside the major “entertainment” centers, however, are lots of jobs. Any major city is going to have commercial studios for local recording. This could be locally produced programming as well as advertising work. After all, someone sings all those jingles on TV and radio.

If music is your thing, do it. It’ll all work out. Drop me an email (davidstuff2000@hotmail.com) if there’s anything I can do to help. Best of luck to you.

By the way, bdgr, you said that in Texas you can’t make much money besides playing country. What in tarnation are you talking about??? Ever been to Austin??? You can find blues (LOTS), rock, jazz, Tejano, classical, etc. Yes, Texas is home to country great Willie Nelson, but don’t forget (the late) Stevie Ray Vaughn, ZZTop, and so many others.

9

True, there is Austin. I live in the DF/W area, and There are a lot of gigs for blues, rock, etc. Just most of them don’t pay crap. A few bands make a bit of money, but even crappy country bands make a lot more. Austin, I would imagine, is differant, I’ve only played in Ftw,Dallas, and Denton. What I meant to say about the college thing, is not that he should avoid music all togeather in college(or that he avoid college), but that majoring in it wouldn’t help all that much if he isn’t going to teach. A minor would be a good thing. Major in something that the credentials will help you out in, a career field that you can fall back on if things don’t work out. A major in music will do you no good if you are not trying to get a teaching gig. Anyone can get a music store gig, but I know I couldn’t live off of what those guys make. Next to min. Wage.

10

You are right Drum God, there are musical carreers available all over. I should have clarified (and included Austin) that performance related jobs (either on the performance or business end) are most readily available in those cities. Also, they tend to pay the best and have the steadiest work for a freelancer.

The two books that I suggested earlier really are good reading for someone who is interested in the music industry. The music majors book has many different carreer paths to follow and would be a good start for a senior. I believe I bought my copy for about $10 a few years ago so it is even a cheap stop over for the rest of your life. You know, Satan (the poster here) works at a record company and he could probably tell you the basics from his end even better than I could.

HUGS!
Sqrl

11

I live in that area as well… What do you play? Are you currently playing anywhere? I moonlight as a sound tech for a few local bands, maybe we could hook up and share resources/contacts? My email address is on my profile.

12

I play keyboard, mostly blues based stuff. I don’t really play out much any more. My last band kinda collapsed under the weight of all our ego’s, so I’m in the process of setting up a studio at home. Be glad to hook up, I will email you soon. What bands do you work with?

Badger

13

There are other majors besides Music Performance, Music Composition, or Music Education, most notably Music Business (which could be anything from running a retail music store to a legal eagle obtaining copyright clearances to publishing to accounting for BMI and ASCAP).

Shop around the colleges you might attend. Nothing beats firsthand investigation with various music schools and departments to find out what curriculum might be available to you. Different colleges will offer different programs. Most will have departmental advisors that can help you decide and will be happy to discuss their programs with you.

I have a BA in Music and a BA in Computer Science. While my profession is programming, I feel the training in music helps my thought processes and contributes indirectly to what I do. Even if you don’t do music as a career, try to explore your interests and pursue performance as an avocation.

14

Most actively working with a Rock band called Amity Road as their sound tech, but also working with a country/variety band that is un-named as of yet, doing sound and vocals. Plus any other band that needs assistance. I recently had the pleasure of running sound for Davenport (www.comfymusic.com).

[shameless plug] Check out Amity Road at www.amityroad.com They will be playing every weekend at the Texas State Fair this year. [/shameless plug]

I also have some basic studio stuff set up…we should talk shop some time!

15

I must agree with most others that there aren’t many jobs out there for a Trombone player, let alone any player unless you want to teach… or you can make your money by being another kind of player… j/k. I am a Trombone player in highschool myself and I plan to be in some sort of orchestra later on, but if you hear of any kind of jobs, I would like to know what options there are out of curiosity besides teaching.

16

Thanks for the replies so far. This is the kind of information I need and can take into consideration.

-Neil

17

Why not just goto college and start out as a Music major, maybe you’ll find some other subject that you enjoy. When I first started college years ago I got all sorts of packets from different subjects. one of them was Geography and I thought who the hell would major in Geography? well it turned out to be me two years later. who knows you might find something totally different in a year or two.

I too am a bass bone player so I know a lot of music majors, a lot went into Music therapy, others into teaching, those where the big ones. I also know a number of people who play in military bands now, or give lessons so there is more than teaching.

18

I thought I was going to be a Music Therapy major for about a year in college. I found that it wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Music therapy is interesting if you get into the right population (I took about 5 classes that included many observations over a long period of time). It is a valid field and has many interesting aspects to it. It is also a very demanding field as one can become pretty attached to certain patients/clients and not seeing an improvement or seeing them go can be heartbreaking. Currently the job market for music therapists is pretty wide open as there are only a handful of schools in the United States where you can major in it (one being my Alma Mater in San Antonio).

I really wish Satan would come in here and tell about his work at BMI, I think it is… I am not sure right now. He could clear up some of the more business ends of the music industry.

HUGS!
Sqrl

19

{No…No…must…control…myself…rrrRRRRRRRRRR…}

Pat: Say, Mike, what’s the difference between a man with a trombone case on the subway and a giant fuzzy pink bunny rabbit on the subway?

Mike: I wouldn’t know, Pat, what IS the difference between a man with a trombone case on the subway and a giant fuzzy pink bunny rabbit on the subway?

Pat: The rabbit MIGHT be heading for a gig.

{Phew. Sorry. I’ll go away now.}

20

As far as the rock-star end of it goes, I have a group of friends who have worked tirelessly for over a decade.