It takes years for most people to figure out their path in life – “What do you want to do?” is a question that we hear starting from a very young age. Working in the music industry often crosses the minds of creative people who love listening to and playing music. But careers aren’t just something you fall into, even if your career is a fun, creative outlet that allows you to express yourself, travel, and do what you love. So, is a music career right for you? Only you can be sure one way or another – but here are a few things to ask yourself before you dive right in.
Do you love to write, play an instrument, or sing?
While not everyone is lucky enough to do something they absolutely love for a living, if you are going to have a career in music you might as well love it. Robots don’t make music, people do (even electronic-tinged techno music still has plenty of creativity and soul). And listeners of all stripes will gravitate to songs that are filled with passion for the craft. Putting your heart and soul into music can only make it better, because it comes from an authentic place – and that’s something that no amount of music lessons can teach. No matter what kind of music you love to create, fans will be able to tell if you’ve infused it with your natural passion.
Can you think creatively?
Creativity is important, especially if you are coming up with original material. As an artist, you can only rely on covers for so long before you yearn to do something bigger – something more “you.” While a good mind for business is also important, your creative mind is what will allow your talents to flow in a way that will get you noticed. Even cover songs can be tweaked and manipulated to come up with something insanely creative and attention grabbing.
Are you ready to work hard?
Just because the music business looks fun does not mean it isn’t a whole lot of work. There are a lot of duties that must be performed, and you are the one in charge of it all: writing, recording, networking, booking gigs, playing live shows, hiring an accountant or manager, interacting with potential fans…the list goes on. It’s fun, it’s rewarding, but yes, it’s a lot of hard work. You can’t sit around and wait for something to happen – you need to be proactive in order to get your name out there and share your talents with the world. Working hard stems from having the ambition to succeed.
If you want a career in the music business, you’ll need a combination of talent, ambition, creativity, and passion. And even if you do have all of the above, it still can take a while for success to come knocking. Be patient, and be ready to work hard and share your best self with the world!