So, you want to be a musician!? Nice! But as with everything else in life this too brings some pros and also some cons with it. Here are some of them to hopefully help you make your decision whether to become a musician or not.
The dream and the reality
A lot of kids and teenagers dream (I know I did!) of becoming a (rock)star, to write and record hit songs, play/sing concerts in arenas and stadiums, be famous and rich. Then they learn how to play some chords on a guitar or a piano, sing along with it, maybe record a video on YouTube or TikTok and then wait for a miracle to happen: that some A&R guy from a major record label would find them or their video among billions of similar ones and hear them play/sing, would recognize their quality and potential, offer them a multimillion dollar deal and a career for life…
“Hey! Heeey!!! Wake up! You’re dreaming…”
Unfortunately, the reality looks a bit different. First, you have to be good at what you do. No, you have to be great! Really great!!! It has always been like that but it’s crucial in the today’s world! There are numerous talented and skilled young musicians out there who are waiting to be found, but at the end only few of them will make it. Second, you have to be in the right place at the right time and for that you need: luck! Yes, luck! You just can’t push that. But what you CAN do is prepare yourself to deliver whenever your chance comes along. You have to recognize the opportunity, grab it by the horns and then deliver your absolute best. Every time! Like your life depends on it. Well, actually, kind of, it does…
So, why should you do it?
Don’t do it for the money! If you just want to become rich, you better try tech. Those are the real rockstars of today. “To make it” in the today’s music world means that you can actually live from making music. It’s really not that easy as it sounds. It’s a big deal! First of all you can’t put everything on one card. You have to have multiple streams of income. Just take a look at the year 2020 and the COVID-lockdown: thousands of musicians who only played live shows have lost their gigs/jobs practically overnight and will probably be the last ones to get them back. That’s the sad reality. But if you don’t just play live gigs but also teach, make online videos and courses, record, mix, etc., then you’re good or at least ok until the times get better. Bottom line: there’s not a lot of money in music so you better do it because you really love what you do!
Do it for yourself! I don’t know about you but I’ve always been making music for myself first before playing/singing for others. It’s just the way I am and I think that’s how it’s supposed to be. After all these years I (still) enjoy sitting down with my instrument, playing, maybe singing along. Sometimes playing some old stuff, sometimes learning something new or even writing something original. Music helps me express my feelings, helps me cope with everyday life, it’s like meditation, only better! As I always say: making music is what I love, what I do and who I am!
So, how to know if you’re primarily doing it for yourself and not for the “big paycheque”? Actually, it’s quite easy! Just ask yourself: would you still be doing it if you’d have to do it for free…?!
P.S.: If I knew then what I know now…
…I’d still do it! Everytime! I’m pretty sure I would be a lot more scared than I was when I was starting out, because I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. But one thing is sure: I’d do it all over again! It’s not easy to explain that if you don’t feel it in you. There’s that strange force inside of you that just keeps pushing you forward, telling you you must do it and then keep doing it and you just can’t help yourself. If you know exactly what I’m talking about, then – congratulations! I already pretty much know what your future life will look like…
For everyone else: even though music is not the right career choice for you, don’t put it aside completely. Keep playing your instrument, keep singing along. Nurture that. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a profession to love it and have fun making it…
