If you can’t live without music and want to start a career in show business, there is so much you need to do! It’s not enough just to be talented. All successful musicians had to put in a great deal of hard work. Some of them had to wait for many years before they finally got universal acclaim. The music industry is very tough and competitive. You can’t expect to get rich in a flash just by playing your favorite instrument before an audience. There is also a strong element of luck. However, nothing is impossible to a willing heart. If you follow the guidelines below, you will maximize your chances of becoming a successful musician.
1. Work hard and never stop learning
That’s obvious. You need to hone your general musical skills above all else. However, you should not try to conquer the whole world all at once. Find an instrument that suits you best and consistently work at making your playing better with each passing day. We are living in the 21st century. There are limitless opportunities for self-education and self-improvement. You will find tons of video tutorials and courses online. You can also consider finding a professional music teacher for taking private lessons.
2. Devote yourself entirely to your career
If you’ve made up your mind to become a successful musician, you must be fully committed to your goal. Of course, it is not easy when you have bills to pay every month or family to support. You will have to be creative in how you earn money for a living. For instance, you can find a restaurant and offer the manager your services as a live musician. You can also play a wedding gig, write a review of a song or album of a music band, do a jingle session, or simply busk. All those music-related activities will help you improve your skills and earn some cash in the process.
3. Be independent in what you do
Most people choose a music career because they believe it will bring them fame and fortune. So, they expect to sign an agreement with a record label and reap large profits. Alas, that happens once in a blue moon. Many big names in the recording business will not even look at you if you have not done anything on your own yet. The bottom line: Go your own way and be independent. If you succeed in that, you will get noticed sooner or later.
4. Make good recordings
If you think you are mature enough for a professional contract, you may consider sending out your recordings to various record labels. Remember that the quality of music on those recordings is of utmost importance. That doesn’t mean that you have to pay exorbitant sums to rent a professional studio or buy expensive equipment. It does mean, however, that your playing must be rhythmically flawless, tight. No recording company manager will get interested in you if it isn’t. What’s the point of giving you a chance in the studio if you can’t even play well in your home environment? That will cost too much.
5. Follow the technological progress
Speaking of independence, one of the most effective ways of promoting one’s music nowadays is the Internet, with YouTube being the most popular medium. Beginning musicians can post a video with their songs for free or at a very low cost. That can be seen by the global audience and create a fan base. There is hardly a better promotional tool than a channel on YouTube at the moment. Try to make your video look as professional as possible. Apart from learning to play music either on your own or with the help of an instructor, you will also have to learn several other skills. That includes producing and audio and video engineering. In addition to YouTube, a good way to show what you can do is a streaming site. Example: Spotify.
6. Learn to play in different environments
Another skill important for a successful musician is to be able to play well wherever you are. Even if you play your guitar like a pro in the comfort of your home, you may suddenly find yourself stumbling when you need to play for a large audience. So, practice performing in all kinds of settings: in a studio, on the stage, or at a party. Consistency is what makes a successful musician different from an amateur.
Becoming a successful musician involves many things. You will need to supplement your talent with hard everyday work playing your favorite musical instrument. You will also need to master several other important skills such as video engineering and management. Most importantly, you must be persistent and move towards your dream no matter what obstacles you encounter on your way.
Photo by Gavin Whitner
