The trade of a language with no words is a noble one.
Since olden times, music has found its place in society. Amidst wars and plagues, between changing eras, music has always been played and sung. Music is what brings joy to us in moments of euphoria, it is what makes our hearts heavy when the going gets tough. If there were no one to make music for the masses, no one to entertain the lost and broken–hearted, the world would have been much worse than what it is today. Drama, music, and the performing arts have evolved as our society has evolved from cave-dwelling to urbanization. In some cultures, musicians were used as jesters and sources of entertainment. There are recorded stories about the legendary monarch of music – Tansen – who could make it rain just by singing in the key of the correct raga for rain.
As time has gone by, monetary stability has become the primary focus for everyone. The time for considering a career in the music industry futile is long gone, for music has firmly claimed its place as one of the top-paying professions of all time. If done right, every career choice in the music industry leads to higher opportunities as far as jobs go. However, it is not for the faint of heart. Pursuing music as a career means that you will have to develop focus, determination, and sheer will. In this blog, we’ll be talking about what it is like to be a music lover and how it works in the music industry. For all of you who are passionate about setting out in music, and for those who just like to listen to music!
Working in Music is More Than Just Making Music
Working in the music industry comes in many different forms. There are infinitesimal genres of music, from Hindustani and folk music to Western classical and jazz and blues, the list goes on and on. Apart from being passionate about a career in the music industry, one must also possess certain skills and fulfill the criteria required to start working in the music industry. You must be sincere and willing, with a little bit of talent and a sense of rhythm and music. Ambition, versatility, and being a prior part of music, drama, or the performing arts go a long way in helping you form connections that push your way further toward better opportunities. The journey is never easy, but if you are looking to form a music career, here are a few good options to choose from:
1. Music Producer
A music producer understands both the creative and commercial sides of music and develops relationships with artists as well as record labels. Music producers are trained in foundational audio and music concepts in various types of software. They know how different live instruments should sound and are adept in mixing and engineering sound. A career in the music industry as a music producer gets you the best of both worlds.
2. Singer
To become a singer, you must have your voice dipped in honey. But hey, if you do, there’s nothing to stop you! Singers are the most demanded musicians in the industry. Really good singers are hard to come by, with very few coming close to the likes of Shreya Ghoshal and Ghulam Ali. However, singers hold the top spot in the most-paid careers in music.
3. Session Musician
If you are the kind of music lover that loves performing multiple backing tracks and are good with instruments, being a session musician might be a good career choice for you. As a session musician, you back and perform on another musician’s album or perform various acts on stage. You will be able to freely dabble in different genres and step into musical improvisation and arrangements to take your skills to the next level.
4. Recording Engineer
It is the job of an audio engineer to record sound and edit it in the studio. You’ll work with analog and digital audio, compressors, microphones, and signal flow; to record music, you’ll often combine both conventional and cutting-edge recording approaches. Additionally, you can be in charge of planning recording sessions and fixing any technical issues that develop.
5. Artist Manager
An artist manager’s job is to forge connections, open doors, and advance the musical act in the music industry. You must have complete faith in your artist and support them in developing a solid and long-lasting career by organizing, managing, leading, and negotiating. You might not receive the same amount of praise and admiration as the artist, but you’ll still need to put in just as much, if not more effort.
6. Notable Mentions
Some more positions that are worth mentioning are – Music teacher, tour manager, booking agent, music publicist, composer, arranger, DJ, and lyricist.
How to Get a Smart Jump Start?
Learning the ropes can be a tedious process, but learning to make good musical decisions is only something that comes with developing good instincts. There are three major players in the music industry right now. Every piece of music released into the world flows through these three conglomerates. These are:
- Sony Music Group, a Japanese concern
- Universal Music group, owned by French conglomerate Vivendi,
- And the Warner Music Group, recently purchased by Leonard Blavatnik of Russia.
These labels are the biggest labels in the world and major manufacturers, marketers, and distributors of up to 85% to 90% of the records that are sold today. When entering the field of music, always target subsidiaries of major labels. Music lovers and avid listeners are catered to by these labels. Once there is a foot in the proverbial and literal door of a good music label, things can only go up from there.
Who Gets Paid The Most?
In music, drama, and performing arts, the pay varies for those who are passionate about the showman aspect of the industry, from those who work behind the scenes. If you are looking to develop a career in the music industry from a monetary point of view, your best bets are these jobs that pay the highest from the lot:
- Singer
- DJ
- Music Producer
- Songwriter
- Sound Technician
- Lyricist
The Cost of the Career
If you were ever told after an online career counseling session that a musical field would be appropriate for you, stick to it and never let it go. The life of a musician is hard, but with the right knowledge, proper support, and willpower, it is possible to make the best out of a career in the music industry.
