Are you an aspiring musician who dreams of taking your passion to the next level? Whether you picture yourself performing on big stages or holding up a Grammy Award, or you simply want to share your music with the world, turning your musical hobby into a viable career takes dedication and a strategic approach.
Making a living off your musical talent isn’t quite as straightforward as landing an office job. Rather than following the blueprint of taking some college courses and sitting down for an interview, you have to think outside the box.
Fortunately for you, this article details the steps on how to get started as a musician, you can take to refine your skills, build a fan base and ultimately establish yourself as a professional musician.
1. Refine your skills by taking courses
Even for musicians who are overflowing with bucketloads of natural talent, there is always room to improve. Taking music courses, whether they be about fine-tuning your vocals or learning about music production in Los Angeles, can be incredibly beneficial when it comes to enhancing your music career.
There is a whole world of musical knowledge out there that is constantly evolving as different musicians and scholars contribute their two cents.
Why not take advantage of this collective wisdom by signing up for a course that will help you to refine your skills, learn new techniques, teach you about music production and sales or deepen your understanding of music theory?
A key advantage of musical courses both for musicians who are just starting out and for experienced musicians, is the opportunity to receive structured tutelage from qualified teachers.
Musical teachers can provide personalized feedback, correct any mistakes you may be making and offer guidance on how to improve your playing or singing.
The time and effort you invest into your craft can greatly accelerate your progress, help you avoid developing bad habits and turn you into a more confident and skilled musician.
2. Seek feedback from musicians you know
In any industry you can name, feedback is crucial for growth and improvement. One of the best ways to go about this in the music industry in to reach out to musicians you know, whether they are friends, acquaintances or local artists, and ask them about their honest opinion on your music.
Feedback helps to identify areas for improvement and provides valuable insights from experienced musicians.
In some cases, this feedback can even lead to a mentorship relationship, where you have the opportunity to learn from someone who has already established themselves and their music in the industry.
3. Experiment with different genres and music styles
Exploring different genres and music styles can be a great way to find your unique ‘sound’. While you may already have a musical style that you prefer, even just being familiar with different genres can help you add new elements to your music and expand upon your creative horizons.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. There are no downsides and at best, you might discover a whole new side to your musical abilities.
4. Collaborate with local artists
Collaborating with others can be mutually beneficial for you and the musician you’re working with. Collaboration with other musicians can include collaborating on projects, performing together or even co-writing songs.
From the collaboration process, musicians have the opportunity to learn from one another, exchange ideas and push each other creatively, potentially inspiring each other to take their music in new creative directions and reach new heights.
Additionally, collaborating with other musicians is a great way to access networking opportunities and help build connections within the music industry as well as tap into another musician’s fan base and gain exposure to new audiences.
Undeniably, we live in a digital age. This has come to mean that having a strong social media presence is essential for any aspiring musician.
Embrace digital strategies by creating musician accounts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter so that you can regularly share updates of your musical journey and snippets of your music.
To level up your social media presence, a few strategies you can utilize include; experimenting with different formats like live videos, behind-the-scenes footage, or music lyric videos to keep your content fresh and engaging.
Also, be responsive to comments, messages, and mentions from your followers. This approach shows appreciation for their support and makes them valued by you. This engagement with your audience helps build a loyal fan base and fosters a strong sense of community around your music.
After all, most celebrity artists would be nothing without their fans, as it is the fans who stream their songs and generate ticket sales for their performances.
6. Practice performing
Not every musician performs live, but once you reach certain heights, it starts becoming more and more necessary to one’s music career.
That’s why it’s a good idea to start honing your performance skills early on. Seek out opportunities that allow you to showcase your talent, whether it’s performing at local bars, open mic nights, or even busking on the street.
The more you perform, the more comfortable and confident you will become when you’re up on stage. Learn from the process by taking note of audience reactions and assessing what you might have done better each time. Additionally, performing in front of a live audience is a great way to connect with your fans.
7. Record your songs in a professional studio
Home recordings can be a great starting point, especially with the at-home technology and equipment available today.
In fact, you only have to look at examples like Billie Eilish to see the possibilities of creating music from your own home. However, investing in professional studio recordings can take your music to the next level and is the preferred choice for almost all professional musicians today.
Professional studios happen to be equipped with high-quality recording equipment that is able to capture your music with exceptional clarity and precision. This results in a polished and professional sound.
Additionally, professional studios tend to employ experienced sound engineers who specialize in recording and mixing music and these studios provide a controlled acoustic environment that is specifically designed for recording purposes.
Overall, recording in a professional studio will elevate your songs and your music, maximizing their appeal to listeners and industry professionals.
8. Upload your songs to SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Music
It’s not enough to just create good music and record it professionally, at some point, you have to pull the trigger and share your music with the world.
Platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music are popular platforms used by musicians to share their music with global audiences and even generate streaming revenue.
By creating artist profiles on these platforms, you can upload your songs and start establishing yourself as a serious musician.
9. Document your progress
As you embark on your music career, something that is often overlooked is documenting your progress. Documenting your progress can help you celebrate your milestones and see how far you’ve come.
In the music industry, most people experience their fair share of rejection so having tangible documentation of achievements and things you are proud of can go a long way in fostering your confidence.
You might decide to write a journal, take lots of photos or videos of your performances or even keep moments like flyers or ticket stubs.
Who knows, if you make it big one day, your progress might be showcased in a documentary or biographical novel.
10. Stay informed
The music industry is constantly evolving, so it’s crucial to stay informed. From constantly shifting trends to technological developments that change the way music is created and distributed, there are a lot of moving variables to keep your eye on.
Read industry publications, follow music blogs, attend conferences, and stay up-to-date on trends and developments in the industry.
This knowledge of how to get started as a musician will help you stay competitive, make informed decisions, and adapt to the changing landscape of the music industry.
Your music career is likely to be an exciting journey filled with challenges and opportunities. By refining your skills, building a fan base and establishing your brand, you can turn your passion for music into a successful and fulfilling career.
Remember to stay true to yourself, embrace new experiences and never stop learning and growing as a musician.
