Working in the Creative Industries – A Performing Musician
by Jackson Masih – BA(Hons) Music – Jazz, 1st Year
Working in the creative industries and aiming to earn an adequate wage, although the dream of most musicians, is not for the feint hearted. This career choice presents challenges, but for those who are willing to work hard and persevere, the reward can be a lifetime spent doing something you love.
What are the (academic and professional) qualifications/experience required to enter the profession?
Formal qualifications are not essential to become a performing musician – talent and hard work can take you a long way and many successful musicians bear testimony to this. Building practical experience, being mindful of continuous self-improvement, and networking are all incredibly important. However, having academic and/or industry recognised accreditation is undoubtedly a major help and evidences the time, effort and expense committed to pursuing your craft. Academic qualifications relevant to pursuing a career as a jazz musician include:
• ABRSM / Trinity Practical and Theory Grades: Qualifications from both boards are well known and often see students working through the various grades from an early age. Often, access to a music degree at Conservatoire requires ABRSM Grade 5 in Theory and Grade 8 practical in the chosen instrument.
• Bachelor’s Degrees (BA, BMus, B.F.A.): Many professional opportunities require a degree in music performance, fine arts, or music education.
• Master’s Degrees (MMus, M.F.A.): Post graduate qualifications offer further specialised training and are useful for musicians aiming to perform at a high level or teach professionally.
• PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education): This is essential if you wish to teach music to children in schools and includes a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check for safeguarding purposes.
• Conservatoire Training: this offers a range of Professional Music Diplomas, and Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees. Offering more practical courses than universities, conservatoires offer the opportunity to develop practical skill as a musician, as well as learning associated self-management skills essential to become a successful musician.
What knowledge, skills and personal qualities/attributes are needed for success within the profession?
Apart from recognised qualifications, other personal qualities and attributes are essential in being successful as a musician. Being dedicated to continuous self-development is necessary. Practising consistently is an essential habit to develop to ensure reaching your potential as a musician and enhancing career prospects. Being proficient in improvisation is an essential skill for a jazz musician so time dedicated to developing this skill is necessary. Creativity and innovation are important for musicians – musicians should develop a strong sense of artistry and be open to exploring different sounds and techniques. A quote attributed to John Coltrane emphasises the importance of continued musical exploration, “There is never any end. There are always new sounds to imagine; new feelings to get at. And always, there is the need to keep purifying these feelings and sounds so that we can really see what we’ve discovered in its pure state. So that we can see more and more clearly what we are. In that way, we can give to those who listen the essence, the best of what we are. But to do that at each stage, we have to keep on cleaning the mirror.”
Perseverance is particularly needed in the creative industries. With many musicians being self-employed, resilience is also necessary. These qualities ensure that musicians don’t easily give up during challenging times and continue to strive to achieve their goal.
Adaptability and versatility are beneficial traits – being open to avenues that will offer other income streams can help during lean times. For example, learning and becoming proficient in various technology, such as Pro Tools, Ableton, and Logic Pro, can help to open up opportunities in recording.
Skills in marketing and social media are essential. An awareness of building your personal brand and marketing your services will make potential customers aware of your offer.
Developing confidence and stage presence is important – charisma and confidence on stage, and expressiveness in your instrument, keep an audience entertained and ensure you are memorable. Physical stamina is important as musicians can be required to perform for long periods of time – thought should be given to diet, health and wellbeing.
Equally important are collaborative and social skills. Musician should be able to work with others and should be flexible in different performance environments. Effective communication skills, teamwork, and adaptability are necessary as are emotional intelligence and good listening skills. Other important skills include efficient rehearsal skills and openness to adjust to new musical arrangements or performance schedules.
Finally, professionalism at all times is essential – this includes being organised, having a mature attitude, dealing with people politely, being punctual and reliable, being courteous and helpful, dressing appropriately for the occasion, and maintaining your equipment to ensure it is always in good working order. Practical skills such as good time management and financial skills are needed as these will help with balancing rehearsals, performances, and administrative duties.
What are the duties and responsibilities of the profession – what does a typical day’s work involve?
A day in the life of a performing musician can be different depending on what work the musician is doing.
1. Practice and Rehearsal
Daily practice is required to perform to the best of your ability. This can include technique work, repertoire building, and improvisation exercises. Practice of sight-reading and improvisation is essential for jazz musicians.
2. Performance Preparation
Before performing, musicians review the program, memorise music, and prepare mentally and physically. Rehearsing with accompanists or doing final sound checks may be needed. Doing physical warm-ups and using mental relaxation techniques help to ensure they are at their best for performing.
3. Live Performances or Recording Sessions
Musicians may have live performances as their main work. This involves interacting with other musicians or backstage personnel. A session musician or solo artist could be working in the studio, recording an album or collaborating with producers and sound engineers.
4. Teaching students
Musicians often have a portfolio career and may spend time teaching students.
5. Travel and Logistics
Touring musicians invest effort and time in travelling. This can involve traveling to different cities and packing and arranging equipment. A touring musician can have help from a roadie or sound technician to handle their technical needs such as setting up and tearing down.
6. Administrative and Organizational Tasks
Administrative tasks associated with a music career can include negotiations with agents or managers, negotiating contracts, and taking care of marketing or social media. Handling financial tasks such as invoicing, payments and royalties are a regular duty.
7. Self-care and Instrument Maintenance
Musicians look after their instrument as this is essential to their livelihood – this involves regular checking, cleaning and servicing. A musician must look after their mental and physical well-being – musicians often work in high pressure environments and so need to be mindful to include stress management and relaxation activities within their daily work schedule.
8. Constant Training
Many musicians continue studying during their careers to ensure continuous self-development. This can mean they take lessons, attend workshops, or dedicate time to listen to recordings or other musicians.
What are the main financial and legal issues that impact on this profession?
Financial Issues can include:
• Erratic Income: Most musicians are paid gig by gig and so their income can vary depending on how many shows they perform, the type of venues they attend, or the size of the audience. Musicians with a portfolio career, where they have a number of income streams, often have a better chance of ensuring adequate income.
• Touring Expenses: Touring can prove hugely expensive. As well as travel and accommodation costs, there are food and drink expenses, perhaps vehicle maintenance, equipment transfers, and clothing requirements.
• Session Work: Session work is paid at various rates and musicians need to know their worth and be able to negotiate successfully. Musicians can have difficulty finding regular session work.
• Lack of Benefits: Musicians are often self-employed and so will not receive usual employment benefits such as health insurance, holiday or sickness pay, or pension contributions.
Legal Issues can include:
• Contractual Disputes: Musicians enter into performance contracts with venues, promoters, or agents. They could experience ambiguous contracts, disputes over terms of payment, cancellation, or poor conditions and facilities.
• Unfavourable Terms: Musicians can mistakenly agree to unfavourable contracts, with terms favouring venues or promoters rather than themselves.
The financial and legal issues of being a musician require paying close attention to the detail of contracts, budgeting, and long-term planning in order to maintain a viable career.
What would the potential marketing and promotional aspects of this profession look like?
Branding
Identify Your Identity. – Your “brand” as an artist is how you want people to see you. It’s important to think about the image you want to project musically and visually – your logo, album artwork, business cards, website, and social media presence are all important in creating your brand.
Social Media
Be focused on platforms that will work best for you. Instagram is good for visuals, and TikTok is good for short, viral moments. YouTube suits longer-form content such as music videos or live sessions, and Twitter works well for quick updates and to engage with fans. Aim to post engaging content regularly – share snippets of new songs, clips of performances, behind-the-scenes recordings and personal moments. Engage with fans – speak and connect with the people who support you. Reply to comments, like their posts, and share their content. The more you interact with fans of your work, the more loyal they will be.
Music Release
Pre-Save & Pre-Order – Before the release of something new, set up a pre-save or pre-order campaign. This can be a great way to get fans to commit to supporting you from the start.
Optimize Your Streaming – Spotify and Apple Music are huge in terms of music discovery. Ensure your artist profile is well organised and pitch your new songs to playlists as getting on the right playlists can make a big difference.
Live Performances
Tour Promotion – Let fans know when you’re going on tour by posting dates, tour teasers, and creating a buzz on social media. Use a countdown, give insight, or post behind-the-scenes access. If you’re not in a position to tour, then streaming live performances is an excellent alternative. Instagram Live, YouTube, or Twitch, makes it possible to reach fans who aren’t local or who couldn’t travel to a live performance. Don’t forget to sell merch!
Collaborations & Features
Collaborate with Other Artists – Exposure to other artists will broaden your circles. This is a great way to reach out a new audience and of networking within the industry.
An electronic press kit is essential as this is where you house information such as your bio, music, photos, and press coverage – this makes it easy for media outlets to cover you. With regards to media coverage, request interviews, blog features, and reviews from music sites. Podcasts and smaller blogs can be a good way to get started. If you have opportunity to get airplay on radio or TV, you will gain some great credibility.
Email Marketing
Mailing List Creation – An emailing list allows you to send subscribers regular news about your music and upcoming performances. If you have fans in various locations, you may want to create different lists so that you can send tailored content.
What are the intellectual and personal challenges presented by the profession and how might these be dealt with?
The profession of being a performing musician can present various challenges. These can include maintaining artistic integrity, and the challenges caused by living life under scrutiny from others.
Intellectual Challenges
- Creative Pressure:
Creative burnout can be mentally exhausting as the demand to create something new can cause musicians to feel pressure to write new material, push creative boundaries, and remain relevant.
How to Deal With It:
Routine & Space – Creating a structured routine can help ensure balance. Plan specific times for writing and performing, leaving room for spontaneity and inspiration.
Collaboration – Working with other artists, producers or songwriters can spark inspiration and lessen pressure.
Mindfulness & Self-Care – Meditation, journaling, or time off may restore creativity.
- Balancing Artistic Vision and Commercial Demands:
Many musicians find themselves balancing commitment to their craft with ensuring commercial appeal. This can bring frustration and pressure to compromise.
How to Deal With It:
Clearly define your values and what success means to you. This will help you to make choices about what and what not to put into your work. Aim to find a place where creativity and commercialism meet. Working with a trusted manager or producer who understands your vision can help find this balance.
- Constant Self-Promotion and Branding
Musicians today need to be a self-marketer – they have to manage social media, write press releases, and create promotions. The job of branding is time-consuming and very different to the creative process.
How to Deal With It:
As your career grows, consider working with a social media manager, publicist, or booking agent. Use technology to help schedule social media posts, automate newsletters, or set up an online store. This can make promotion feel more manageable.
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