What are some possible careers that will allow me to work with music?

Question

I feel that my calling lies in music, but I am also feeling lost. My fatigue and lack of motivation comes partly from my draining, unsatisfying and consuming job. I think about working on music all the time and work on it every day, but sometimes my vision fails me.

Other people tell me that it is impossible to make money from music, and perhaps from a certain point of view they're right.

There are other things that interest me, but I've never really sustained serious interest in anything else for a good amount of time.

Right now I'm sort of drifting and exploring career opportunities.

Answer 1

I completely understand where you're coming from!! 2 years ago, I was pregnant w/ my first child, working a full-time (dead end) job, and going to school, majoring in music. I was trying to start my own piano studio, but w/ my busy schedule, it was near impossible to devote any time to getting students. Well, after my daughter was born, I told my husband something had to give- I couldn't keep up w/ everything. Well, I quit my job. After a few months, students started trickling in. I now have about 10 students. Also, at the beginning of this year, I was hired at my church as a full-time (paid) pianist. At first, my husband and I were really worried about making ends meet- our income had been cut in half when I quit my job. Well, the combination of my incomes from the church and my studio equal the amount of money I was making at my full-time job. The only difference- at my old job, I was working 40+ hours a week. Now, I work approx. 12 hours. I have more time to devote to my own music, and more importantly, my daughter and husband. If you feel you're being called to music, I always tell people to pray. If you truly feel this is what you should do with your life, then that's what you should do. God won't give you anything you can't handle. I know it's scary to take that leap of faith, but I just think it's worth it. Maybe you don't agree, but this is just my humble opinion. Good luck and God bless in whatever you decide!!! There are plenty of careers for musician- performing (bands, orchestras, solo), teaching (privately, university-level, grade schools). Also, music therapy is a great field. A lot of music-related jobs are kind of "free lance" careers, but I think that jobs like this provide flexibility and independence.


On a last note- one thing my piano professor has told me- if you don't have "the fire" for music, don't do it. You have to be completely passionate about what you do- it sounds to me like it's very likely you have "the fire".

Answer 2

There are too many career paths that can put you into contact with the music realm to list here. There are a few that come to mind for most people:
Performer
Teacher
Composer
Arranger
Recording Engineer
Live Sound Engineer
Light Engineer
Instrument building/repair
Artist management
Promoter
Music shop owner
Road Crew member (the hardest work of all)

As for making money... define "money". Most performers make little to none, although it is very possible to make a living as a performer. Most local cover bands make about $200-$500/night to split between the musicians and the crew. There is a local band, however, that is guaranteed to make $7,000 before they even show up at the venue.

Those that are in original bands and go for the recording contract are among the most broke people that you will ever meet... although theya re also having a great time for 2 hours a night.

Most other careers are very easy to make a living in. It is all about desire, drive, and knoing what you are doing, and what you want.

Good Luck

Answer 3

The world beckons, my child.

Scoring for video games is as lucrative as scoring for a movie.

Theme parks need music.

Corporate conventions -- religious and political rallies.

Technique driven studio sessions are always a good option.

Commercials, beat tracks, deejay, weddings, funerals, podcasts, teaching, writing, bar bands -- the list goes on and on.

The world needs music and needs new music. There are hundreds of areas that demand music to underscore the theme (pardon the pun).

Answer 4

I hear disc jockeys make pretty good money for parties and weddings. I don't know what kind of up front investment you have to have for equipment. I figure all the music and equipment you buy will be tax deductible for work. You could also sing/ karaoke for these. Depends on what part of music you want to work with, performing, writing, or just being around it.

Answer 5

Oh there are so many. You can be a promoter, event giver, go to school and learn musical engineering and run a panel and do recording, music sales, writing, performing, teaching music to all kinds of people, manager, work for a music company, use your imagination.

Answer 6

Here's a list of what I can think of: Becoming a artist, playing an instrument professionally, teaching,composing(isn't this the same as an artist?). Well I guess it depends on what kind of music u have in mind for me to mention more.

Answer 7

have you tried switching jobs to work at a music store? be a teacher if you have a degree in and level in music. do you actually play an instrument? study at a music academy or do recordings. perform at weddings and parties.

Answer 8

there is $$ in music, and if you feel it, then i say work on the music.....there are so many areas that might interest you
you might check music schools, academies, and colleges have full service music programs

you could play a instrument, sing and play,
learn song writing, words or music, or both,
publishing, management,
open your mind and find out where your desire points you to......and study it, and feel it.do it.

Answer 9

I think working with music for tv and movies would be great fun, there are many courses available that would get you foot in the door.

Answer 10

Just become a College Professor, they also drift aimlessly and really have no skills to enter the regular work force.