“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” ~ Anonymous. Did you find yourself nodding your head, with an emphatic yes, while reading the above quote? If playing a musical instrument or crooning or even composing music has been your passion since the time you were born then becoming a professional musician can be a very gratifying career option for you. If you are focused, hardworking and have the talent and dedication for your passion, then yes, it is possible to make your dream come true! A professional musician plays one or more instruments proficiently and performs shows to earn his/her daily bread and butter. Professional musicians either work alone or in bands. If you are seriously considering taking up music for a living, then here are some tips to guide you through this career option. Browse through the next sections to get an insight.
Requirements
Becoming A Professional Musician
Eligibility
If you are planning to take up music for a living, you should have a knack for it. Good understanding of music, its different genres and styles is the basic requirement to become a professional musician. You should also have the flair for playing diverse musical instruments. Most professional musicians start their careers at a tender age when they take lessons from music maestros. To become a good musician, a person should have an “ear” for music and should be able to differentiate between various pitches as well. In addition, the ability to improvise is also required to play certain music genres such as jazz and trance.
Specialization Courses
Although, it is said that music must come from within, some extra education in this field can be very beneficial. To get an edge over the other musicians in the vicinity, doing a Bachelor’s or a Master’s course from a dedicated university is a good idea.
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Bachelor of Music
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Master of Music
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Postgraduate Diploma (Instrument Specialization)
Skills Required
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Good understanding of music and its different genres and styles is a must to strike a rapport with all sorts of music listeners.
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Playing an instrument or several instruments proficiently is another thing that differentiates a regular musician from a famous one.
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Knowhow to read and transcribe music sheets is a must so that you can write down the tunes you compose and read from your notes whenever need arises.
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Being adaptable to the different forms and variety of musical forms can give your music a universal appeal.
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Willingness to travel is essential for performing shows in different locations. The quantum and success of these shows determine your success as a professional musician.
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Discipline, focus, diligence, hard-work and dedication are the key to any art form.
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The ability to quickly learn and grasp new pieces in a short time is also necessary.
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Geniality and humility are a must as they make sure that you remain focused and professional.
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Having a good network is important to get referrals for shows, especially in the initial phase of one’s career.
Roles And Responsibilities
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Professional musicians basically need to play music for a living. They may play in orchestras, in bands and rock groups, jazz, combos or just solo.
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Musicians, who are proficient in playing drums, saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, string bass or other instruments, may also play in restaurants, nightclubs, parties and receptions to entertain the guests.
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A professional musician also has the scope to either become a street musician or play in studios, films and television commercials.
Career Prospects
There are many career opportunities for professional musicians. They can become session musicians where they have to learn a certain music piece and then perform, either in a recording studio or on-stage. Session musicians have bright career prospects as they can provide music for TV shows, commercials and even films. Session musicians can also work temporarily with music bands or orchestras. General musicians who have an in-depth knowledge of music and a good sense of rhythm and melody can work as music instructors in schools. A musician can also work independently and play in birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries and other such joyful events. Although musicians may have to struggle in the initial phase of their careers, once established, they can not only earn handsome remunerations but also enjoy a lot of fame and popularity.
If music is your passion then a career as a professional musician can be a very rewarding and fulfilling one.
