Becoming a Working Musician
It’s been quite a busy summer and, with the declining economic climate, every freelance musician has to be a little more creative at getting and keeping work. Many of us teach but, as with most service industries, the number of students declines during the summer months and forces us to lower our overheads, tighten our belts, or whatever metaphor implies not making enough money.
My strategy has been to break up my career into three areas: performing, teaching, and writing. I can usually survive on two out of three if one area suffers. As much as I enjoy teaching, it’s easy to get burned out and I like the balance that the three areas bring to my playing. Teaching keeps me on top of the basics, performing keeps my gig chops sharp, and writing covers everything from the basics to advanced techniques and different styles. The question that I get asked time and time again by friends, colleagues, and students is:
How Do I Find Work?
Although many jobs are found by referral, until you gain some experience and perform or teach for a long enough time to get your name out there you do need to start somewhere. Craig’s List and many local classified ads are valuable resources; however, I have found that the Music Jobs site is the perfect website that covers all three areas of the music business that I’m involved with. The Music Jobs site also has a Jobs Board page that is searchable by state, paying jobs, non-paying jobs, internships, etc.
Non-paying jobs and internships are a great way to meet people in the business and network. Unfortunately, many people exploit this and, in today’s economic climate, are leveraging this to their advantage. Only you can make the decision as to when you’re done taking this type of work. Even though I’ve become known in my area, paying work is not always readily available. It is during those times that I turn to Music Jobs, Craig’s List, and the like. I’ll also take a non-paying job if I’m not doing anything to gain experience in an area that I’m not familiar with and make new contacts.
Getting Experience
Community theater, senior centers, non-profits, and charity organizations can always use volunteers. The people that you meet will become part of your network. If they move on to other positions or are asked by their colleagues to refer a musician or a band for a paying engagement then they will be happy to return the favor. Gaining performing and teaching experience can only happen by performing and teaching. Don’t always judge a gig by how much you’re getting paid. Some non-paying situations offer invaluable experience that can immediately bump you into the next level by simply having the experience.