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How do I become successful in the music industry?

I want to pursue music it has always been my passion and my anxiety and depression has always held me back amongst other things and I want to develop my craft.

music music-industry music-production musician performing-arts
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Kevin’s Answer

As I would always say just jump in a get started! I would recommend just writing or recording the music you want and just keep creating it everyday even if you aren’t sharing them with anyone but to just get a feel or creating and writing music as a artist more consistently.

I Used to do this a lot just waking up and creating a song or before I go to bed try to start on a song and either finish it or finish it in the morning so I can get into a rhythm of it and I would share it on Music community platform apps like Bandlab and getting feedback from the people in the community before I felt comfortable sharing it on YouTube and my social media before ultimately releasing the songs on streaming platforms.

Hopefully these suggestions help and if you have any questions on how to upload songs on streaming platforms I would be happy to share how to do this as well!
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Tiff !

What is "your music", singing or playing an instrument ? Also, what grade are you in ? This would help for advice, but I will be as generic and generalize as much as possible for advice.

It's okay that your feelings don't change overnight, it will take some time. Do realize that a lot of people have your same feelings and if you reach out more in person at school, it may help both you and the other people you start to meet. If you are in high school, join chorus or band or a music class. This can be a first step in breaking introversion which you are not alone with. Active steps like this can greatly take you through a process of seeing change and progress with your music.

I see that you indicate that you live in Fair Oaks and if that is the case, I would refer you to look into going to college at California State University, Sacramento. If you live somewhere else, I still advise looking into colleges and plan to take the academic route for your music. Taking the college route will not only prepare you and teach you how to start your career, it will build on your social circle and provide important networking opportunities. Networking will be one of the ways that you meet new friends as well as learn about opportunities.

Something that may help you with building confidence may be to start making videos of yourself singing, playing an instrument or both. When you see how good you are, you will feel better about putting yourself out there for opportunities ! You can do it !

Keep in mind that performance is a process and you will be learning things for a long time before you start your career. If you are still in high school, see about taking some sort of one on one private lessons so you can get used to interacting with an instructor as you get personal attention. You will know when you are ready to take the big steps so try to take things slow and build up as you sharpen your musical and social skills. Also remember to associate with upbeat, positive people who are supportive and people you will like supporting, too.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best. Your feelings are valid, but try to not let feelings hold you back. It's very much worth it all !
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Stephen’s Answer

Hi - It's difficult to provide specific advice without knowing more details like your age, experience, instruments, solo vs band, do you sing, write your own music, etc. However, I played in multiple bands until I had children roughly 12 years ago. I had a full time job and gigged on the side with our largest performance opening for a national act in front of thousands of people.

Getting started is difficult unless you have some type of connection to a label. You have to build an audience which means playing consistently in a market and slowly venturing out. A legit manager also helps open doors to gigs, especially outside your home area. I spent a ton of time (as did my wife after I was married) booking gigs, tracking down managers of bars/clubs/music venues, hanging out in those places meeting other musicians/booking agents/bartenders/owners/etc because it is very much a 'who you know' business. If you play in a band, it takes a ton of time to be really good which means lots of practice which is one reason why I gave it up after kids - I coach baseball, softball, etc now instead of practicing with bandmates. Also, it's kind of a hard lifestyle. Sometimes you play during the week but we mostly played Friday and Saturday nights and we then became headliners which meant 10:30PM or later start times. That meant we were getting home around 2AM or later. It was super fun, but it would be too hard for me to do now. Youtube is huge - film yourself performing and try to build your audience that way along with a solid website.

I don't know if your anxiety is about performing but I offer two things: 1) My kids will say "I'm nervous" or "I have butterflies" before a performance or sporting event. My wife and I always say to them "Being nervous is normal. It just means you care". The more you do something the more familiar and routine it becomes and that feeling subsides. But, you should always feel a little something like excitement and jitters! 2) I remember being around 22 or so and had never been a lead singer - just didn't have confidence. I was a guitar guy or could pick up the bass or piano in the band - I was happy in the shadows but not really. I had a vision for a band, but needed to make some changes and try something else. I played for my boss at the time and his wife one night at their home and he said to me "You have a gift and you need to share it. Be confident." That's exactly what I needed to hear and after that I was totally cool and just said "F it... I'm going for it and see what happens".

Music is a wonderful thing - I have a guitar by my desk at home and will pick it up between meetings, even just a couple of minutes. I may not perform on a stage or in a band, but I still play music. I get to share the experience with my kids now as they try to learn new instruments. Good luck and be confident...you have something to share with the world!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. I am glad to know that you have passion on music.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Listen to more different types music.
2. Record your own music product and put it on youtube to collect comments.
3. There are many different types of careers in music industry, e.g. singer, musical artist, musician, music composer, music producer, etc. You can explore more and determine what you have interest
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue.
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in music school / colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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Grace’s Answer

Hi Tiff, it's great to hear you love music too! Whether you're a musician or want to work in another area like production or marketing, here are some tips:

If you're a musician, focus on getting really good at your instrument or singing. Try to connect with others to practice and perform together. Join your school band or chorus, or find friends to jam with. Playing with others helps you improve and gain confidence. If you write music, record it using free apps and share it online on platforms like YouTube or Bandcamp. Open mics and jam sessions are great for meeting musicians and building skills. Don't stress about mistakes; everyone makes them, and performing gets easier with practice. If live shows aren't for you, explore online options.

If you're interested in a non-musician role in the music industry, figure out what you want to do. If it's production, consider courses at colleges or trade schools. You can also learn a lot online. If you're interested in lighting or sound, look for academic programs. Volunteering at music festivals or local productions can give you hands-on experience and help you discover what you enjoy.

No matter what path you choose, there are plenty of opportunities to develop your skills. Good luck, and remember to have fun! Music is a fantastic way to meet people and enjoy yourself.

Grace recommends the following next steps:

Figure out what you'd like to do in the broad area of "music" - whether you want to perform, produce, get involved in helping put on productions, etc.
Look into academic opportunities to develop your skills.
Have fun with the process - making or helping to put out music is challenging but also very fun!
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Adriano’s Answer

Hi Tiff,

I'm really sorry to hear that anxiety and depression have held you back. You're not alone in that—and it’s incredibly brave of you to want to keep pushing forward. Music can be a powerful outlet and source of healing, whether it’s your career or your passion.

First, it’s important to ask: do you want to make music your profession or keep it as something you love on the side? There’s no shame in either path. What matters most is making sure you are okay and supported as you grow.

When I started pursuing music full time, I was in a tough place too. I left college to care for my grandmother, but I knew I wanted to build a life around music. Fast forward to today: I teach piano, play in a wedding band, gig with a jazz group, and write original music. It took time and a lot of detours, but here’s what helped me:

Find a mentor. Study with a musician who does what you want to do. This helped me way more than school ever did. (School is helpful, but not required—I’m living proof!)

Go to local jam sessions. These are perfect for building community, improving your playing, and landing your first gigs.

Practice consistently. Study lots of styles—classical and jazz give you a great foundation. But also play just for yourself when you can. Keep the joy alive.

Define your path. Saying “I want to do music” is like saying “I want to do sports”—there are so many routes. Are you more into performing, teaching, producing, writing? Narrowing your focus gives you a roadmap.

Lastly, remember: your mental health is part of your music journey, not separate from it. Go at your own pace. You’re already showing strength by reaching out and taking this seriously.

Wishing you all the best. You’ve got this!
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Marielle’s Answer

Hi Tiff,

Very exciting! Music is a wonderful area to focus on. But first, you mentioned you have anxiety and depression. If that's holding you back, I recommend speaking with a school guidance counselor or mental health professional in your community to see if you can get some support with that. Your primary doctor may also be able to point you in a direction. Talking to someone is an important first step.

When it comes to music, I believe it's important to be involved in music in all kinds of different ways. In addition to learning one or several instruments that you enjoy and practicing regularly, you could play in band or orchestra in school, take private lessons, or teach yourself via YouTube. You could find a job in a music store (selling sheet music, instruments, or the music section of a bookstore). Find like minded people if you're interested in playing in a group. The short answer is: Make music an integral part of your life!

Best of luck to you!
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Miki’s Answer

Do you want to be a performer, a producer, or work in the music industry in general? It all depends on what you truly desire.
If you are a performer, are you creating music? Publish your work on various platforms, such as Spotify, SoundCloud, etc., and seek candid opinions from your friends and family. I know it takes courage, but it's essential if you want to build a career in music. If you're in high school, apply for state competitions and various other non-profit/profit entities' competitions. Academic-related competitions, such as state ones, are particularly beneficial as they provide detailed and sincere feedback on your pieces. Talk to your music teachers at school and ask them to introduce you to their musician friends. It's always valuable to hear from professionals about their career journeys.
Music education is another path you could consider. Some colleges are renowned for their education programs. You can pursue a career in music education by obtaining a PhD in the field.
If you want to work for record labels, choose colleges with strong music business programs, such as NYU and Syracuse. They have good industry connections that could lead to valuable internships.
Regarding your depression and anxiety, please consult professionals regularly and manage them effectively. You may have to cope with these conditions to some extent throughout your life, and it won't change regardless of the profession you choose.
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Thomas’s Answer

Music is one of those industries where you need to do multiple things until one of those things is successful. I would suggest looking at different websites that list possible music industry careers and try your hand at a few of them. For me, currently, I market myself as a music producer, audio engineer, songwriter, solo artist, and consultant. I have done extensive work in all those areas and enjoy all those sides of the industry, so I wouldn't mind doing any kind of work associated with those roles. However, the first thing you need to do if you want to be a professional in the music industry is practice every day- and post your best work on social media. This, unfortunately, is the music industry today. You need to make content to start your "brand". No matter what you want to do in the music industry, you need to have your brand, your sound, and your image. This is how people will connect with you and therefore will connect with your music.

Similar to you, my anxiety has also sometimes held me back from what I want to do. I'll say this, and hopefully it will help you: if your love for music outweighs your anxiety, you will end up finding a way to make it happen. I overthink every time I post, every time I release, every time I run an ad- but the idea that the other option for me is rotting at a desk job keeps me going (no offense to desk job people at ALL). I know that music is where I am meant to be so if I have to push outside my comfort zone to get there, I will. I do sill have lines I have yet to cross that I hope to do soon.

Hope this helps!

Now, I can't tell if you're in high school or college because you just have "student" and your question doesn't have your age. However, I will say this: I started writing, producing, and creating music and content for fun in high school. Back then, it didn't really matter. I was just doing it because I thought that's what I wanted to do (and I was right! lol). I took all that content down and have abandoned the stage name I went by in high school, but the work I did laid the foundation for what I do now. Because of the stuff I did in high school, I now know the ins and outs of the industry, have some amazing connections, and have had the opportunity to do many cool things. Plus, now that I have a process and understand what goes into music I can focus on the things that make my music me and the stuff like chord progressions, simple melodies, and even performing are a lot easier for me. It's all about the experience you have.
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Matthew’s Answer

A great way to get started in the music industry is by taking some time and researching the possible uses for music in today’s world. We hear music everywhere these days, on everything from ads, to YouTube videos, social media, and a whole lot more, and that music has to come from somewhere.

You don’t have to necessarily start off as a performer. Start off by thinking outside the box a little. A great way to develop your craft could be making music for advertisers for example. Doing this for a while can give you a chance to become better and more experienced, and even gain reputation with others that may help you further down the line. It can also be very profitable!

Another great example would be teaching! When I was teaching I experienced 2 benefits, 1 of which I didn’t expect. That benefit was learning. While I was teaching others piano, guitar, and percussion I found that I was actually learning even more and becoming better at each instrument, especially when helping them learn something that they were having a hard time with. I learned new techniques while showing them how to get the hang of something! The second benefit was helping me get used to playing in front of others. If you start off with a small number of students or even 1 on 1 sessions, you’ll regularly have to play for your students while you’re showing them what to do. After a while this really did help me get more comfortable playing in front of others, which can of course be a big cause of anxiety. It just takes a little time. Hope this helps!
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