5 answers
Chansa
Student
1
Question
5 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Chansa !
If you want to "become" a musician, you will have to start learning music and choose a musical instrument to start learning how to play. I am not sure how old you are, but I will give you advice since you do not know how to go about this career. I will also discuss your need to be famous for which there is no path, direction or how-to instructions.
Your first step is to choose a musical instrument. Usually, musicians know their instrument of choice already and begin playing and learning it from a young age. If you are stating the term "musician" meaning being a singer which I am seeing people are calling singers "musicians" these days, then you will have to take singing lessons at your school or in the community. In order to achieve your first step, you have to stop "wanting" and start doing.
I then always suggest to young students that an academic path in Music is highly recommended. That would mean going to college as a Music Major. This route will teach anyone how to have a music career. You would meet lots of people, be part of a music community, have lots of support and keep up with all the information you'd need for opportunities. To do it on your own would be a struggle. So, whether it's for playing an instrument or singing, it takes some time to sharpen your skills and meet people that can provide professional help to you.
In order to be in any of the creative industries, you need to sharpen your social, professional and business skills. If you are interested in putting in the time it takes, never giving up and are willing to live or travel to and from cities that offer musicians work, then you can probably have a satisfying career as a musician. You also need to be very open minded and interested in playing or singing a wide variety of music from different genres in order to obtain the most work possible.
Your idea about being famous may stem from a need for everyone to like you or think you're important, but there are so many other ways to obtain that other than using a career for it. Although being famous can mean many things and not necessarily that everyone will like you or that you got there by talent, it has a downside to it, too. Maybe it's me, but I do not know one contemporary "famous" person that plays an instrument. Singers are manufactured to become famous, but the only famous musical instrument people I ever knew were from decades ago. Comparatively, the business was smaller back then, but I do know of the singers that are considered "famous" today. So, fame is not something that is up to you. It's something that takes a lot of people promoting a musician or a singer in a certain way and convincing the public that the person is popular and should be liked. It's the same with actors, too. So try to learn more about the industry and focus on how you can make music your life in its' own unique way. Just know that there are a lot of obligations, expectations and people to answer to if you become "famous".
If you are serious about being a musician because you have a passion for music, take small steps that will eventually lead you to your own special career. If you feel interested in being a musician because of a need for recognition, validation, and a sense of belonging, you can discuss this with your parents, relatives or your school social worker to come to terms with how you can achieve these in your everyday life. It will take a lot of confidence and being comfortable in your own skin to be a successful musician and the support is out there if you want it.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
If you want to "become" a musician, you will have to start learning music and choose a musical instrument to start learning how to play. I am not sure how old you are, but I will give you advice since you do not know how to go about this career. I will also discuss your need to be famous for which there is no path, direction or how-to instructions.
Your first step is to choose a musical instrument. Usually, musicians know their instrument of choice already and begin playing and learning it from a young age. If you are stating the term "musician" meaning being a singer which I am seeing people are calling singers "musicians" these days, then you will have to take singing lessons at your school or in the community. In order to achieve your first step, you have to stop "wanting" and start doing.
I then always suggest to young students that an academic path in Music is highly recommended. That would mean going to college as a Music Major. This route will teach anyone how to have a music career. You would meet lots of people, be part of a music community, have lots of support and keep up with all the information you'd need for opportunities. To do it on your own would be a struggle. So, whether it's for playing an instrument or singing, it takes some time to sharpen your skills and meet people that can provide professional help to you.
In order to be in any of the creative industries, you need to sharpen your social, professional and business skills. If you are interested in putting in the time it takes, never giving up and are willing to live or travel to and from cities that offer musicians work, then you can probably have a satisfying career as a musician. You also need to be very open minded and interested in playing or singing a wide variety of music from different genres in order to obtain the most work possible.
Your idea about being famous may stem from a need for everyone to like you or think you're important, but there are so many other ways to obtain that other than using a career for it. Although being famous can mean many things and not necessarily that everyone will like you or that you got there by talent, it has a downside to it, too. Maybe it's me, but I do not know one contemporary "famous" person that plays an instrument. Singers are manufactured to become famous, but the only famous musical instrument people I ever knew were from decades ago. Comparatively, the business was smaller back then, but I do know of the singers that are considered "famous" today. So, fame is not something that is up to you. It's something that takes a lot of people promoting a musician or a singer in a certain way and convincing the public that the person is popular and should be liked. It's the same with actors, too. So try to learn more about the industry and focus on how you can make music your life in its' own unique way. Just know that there are a lot of obligations, expectations and people to answer to if you become "famous".
If you are serious about being a musician because you have a passion for music, take small steps that will eventually lead you to your own special career. If you feel interested in being a musician because of a need for recognition, validation, and a sense of belonging, you can discuss this with your parents, relatives or your school social worker to come to terms with how you can achieve these in your everyday life. It will take a lot of confidence and being comfortable in your own skin to be a successful musician and the support is out there if you want it.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Florian Trautwein
Sales Manager - Online Marketing
8
Answers
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Updated
Florian’s Answer
First: You need to be really good or even outstanding. So invest time in that growth. Focus on your skills.
Second: Build your own brand. Besides the pure skills. Skills is a basic need here and still many might have it or are able to compete. What is it that you as a person can bring to the table that others can't?
Third: Start sharing on multiple channels. Leverage all relevant social media channels. Reach out to people in the industry to ask for support, guidance, coaching. Might also cost some money but I would at least consider it and get their attention.
All the best and good luck, it's not an easy path but might nevertheless be fulfilling for you.
Second: Build your own brand. Besides the pure skills. Skills is a basic need here and still many might have it or are able to compete. What is it that you as a person can bring to the table that others can't?
Third: Start sharing on multiple channels. Leverage all relevant social media channels. Reach out to people in the industry to ask for support, guidance, coaching. Might also cost some money but I would at least consider it and get their attention.
All the best and good luck, it's not an easy path but might nevertheless be fulfilling for you.
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
146
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
You have two different questions here (technically). I'll give you my two cents on both- but before I do you should know that the road from nothing to success is a long journey for musicians. You should be doing this for the love of music NOT just to be famous. If you just want to be famous, then don't get into music right away. Otherwise you'll be working day in and day out for years with no return on something you are just doing so people know who you are. Instead, do something you love so that even when people don't know who you are, you still enjoy what you do.
Now on to the advice. First off, there's no "become" a musician. Pick up and instrument and start learning chords and melodies or start singing. Now you're a musician- congratulations. Now you have to focus on what will set you apart from the OTHER musicians. That's the tricky part. If you haven't written and recorded your own music or any covers yet, I'd recommend focusing on that and getting really good before you start releasing. I did the opposite and just released everything I made when I started producing. This will end poorly because you'll be releasing stuff you don't actually like and will be forced to promote and act like you love it when you might not. I'll also say that you shouldn't be creating for the audience. The audience is the last step in the music making process. You are writing songs for you. You should be making the music that YOU personally want to hear. Music takes a lot of practice, so please do not be discouraged if you or other people don't like what you're making. Just keep creating. The more time you put into your craft, the better you will become. The better you become, the more people will listen. And so on until you have a career.
Secondly, your point about being famous. Ask yourself- why is that the end goal? Are you ok with the idea of the paparazzi invading your personal space and continually taking your picture even when you don't want it? Are you ok with the constant touring, thousands of people crowding around you just for a picture- effectively eliminating your private and personal life? I don't want to discourage your dreams, but that is the reality of every single "famous" person. Personally, being "famous" was never my goal. In fact, I'd rather be behind the scenes and build artists careers instead of being in the spotlight. There are infinite ways to make money in the music industry. There are many careers that isn't just performing and going on tour and writing. In order to truly appreciate your journey as a professional musician, edit down what you say your dream is. As you hit your goals, expand your dreams. Smaller dreams/ goals will help drive you to keep going. And you'll need those because this industry, not gonna lie to you, is extremely brutal. Like sleepless nights worrying about an email you sent or working so much that you don't even see your family or friends.
Take one day at a time and be patient. I don't want to sound like a downer, but I can guarantee that this journey will test you. This has been my dream since I was a Freshman in high school. I worked through a degree in music, performed hundreds of shows, send instrumentals to some of the biggest artists, and have scored musicals and other media. And I've thought about giving up completely about 150 times in the last 6 months. If you push past those feelings and continue writing, continue practicing, continue going for the goal- I promise the grass is greener on the other side. But you will still have to be moving and working so the greener grass will have some dead patches that might get to you (if you know what I mean). The thing I tell myself every time I have a song or instrumental rejected is "you're only a failure if you give up. so don't give up."
The last thing I'll say is that you shouldn't listen to anyone. You are shooting for YOUR music career. The way that Taylor Swift rose up was different from how you will. You are not the "next" anything. You are your own artist with your own message and your own story. Don't copy what you see online- do what you know is right for your art. Write from the heart. Produce with intent. And don't listen to others no matter how much more successful they are than you. That doesn't mean don't take advice- that means take advice and use it to your advantage not change your entire journey. I've been told that I do too much and that I should focus on just one thing. But I've never focused on just one thing and never will.
Hope this helps
Now on to the advice. First off, there's no "become" a musician. Pick up and instrument and start learning chords and melodies or start singing. Now you're a musician- congratulations. Now you have to focus on what will set you apart from the OTHER musicians. That's the tricky part. If you haven't written and recorded your own music or any covers yet, I'd recommend focusing on that and getting really good before you start releasing. I did the opposite and just released everything I made when I started producing. This will end poorly because you'll be releasing stuff you don't actually like and will be forced to promote and act like you love it when you might not. I'll also say that you shouldn't be creating for the audience. The audience is the last step in the music making process. You are writing songs for you. You should be making the music that YOU personally want to hear. Music takes a lot of practice, so please do not be discouraged if you or other people don't like what you're making. Just keep creating. The more time you put into your craft, the better you will become. The better you become, the more people will listen. And so on until you have a career.
Secondly, your point about being famous. Ask yourself- why is that the end goal? Are you ok with the idea of the paparazzi invading your personal space and continually taking your picture even when you don't want it? Are you ok with the constant touring, thousands of people crowding around you just for a picture- effectively eliminating your private and personal life? I don't want to discourage your dreams, but that is the reality of every single "famous" person. Personally, being "famous" was never my goal. In fact, I'd rather be behind the scenes and build artists careers instead of being in the spotlight. There are infinite ways to make money in the music industry. There are many careers that isn't just performing and going on tour and writing. In order to truly appreciate your journey as a professional musician, edit down what you say your dream is. As you hit your goals, expand your dreams. Smaller dreams/ goals will help drive you to keep going. And you'll need those because this industry, not gonna lie to you, is extremely brutal. Like sleepless nights worrying about an email you sent or working so much that you don't even see your family or friends.
Take one day at a time and be patient. I don't want to sound like a downer, but I can guarantee that this journey will test you. This has been my dream since I was a Freshman in high school. I worked through a degree in music, performed hundreds of shows, send instrumentals to some of the biggest artists, and have scored musicals and other media. And I've thought about giving up completely about 150 times in the last 6 months. If you push past those feelings and continue writing, continue practicing, continue going for the goal- I promise the grass is greener on the other side. But you will still have to be moving and working so the greener grass will have some dead patches that might get to you (if you know what I mean). The thing I tell myself every time I have a song or instrumental rejected is "you're only a failure if you give up. so don't give up."
The last thing I'll say is that you shouldn't listen to anyone. You are shooting for YOUR music career. The way that Taylor Swift rose up was different from how you will. You are not the "next" anything. You are your own artist with your own message and your own story. Don't copy what you see online- do what you know is right for your art. Write from the heart. Produce with intent. And don't listen to others no matter how much more successful they are than you. That doesn't mean don't take advice- that means take advice and use it to your advantage not change your entire journey. I've been told that I do too much and that I should focus on just one thing. But I've never focused on just one thing and never will.
Hope this helps
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
To become a musician, you need to focus on your music skills, practice your instrument or your voice every day. Try to learn new styles, write your own songs, and always look for ways to improve. The better you get, the more people will notice your talent.
Next, you can start sharing your music with others. For example, you can post videos or songs on social media platforms like YouTube. Many famous musicians today were discovered online.
If people enjoy your music and like you as a person, they will share your work and help you grow.
Playing live is also important. Try to perform at local events or small concerts. This will help you gain confidence and experience. It also helps you meet other musicians and people in the music world. Networking is a big part of becoming successful. Be friendly, professional, and always ready to learn from others.
The most important thing is to love what you do. If you make music because you truly enjoy it, others will feel that passion.
Next, you can start sharing your music with others. For example, you can post videos or songs on social media platforms like YouTube. Many famous musicians today were discovered online.
If people enjoy your music and like you as a person, they will share your work and help you grow.
Playing live is also important. Try to perform at local events or small concerts. This will help you gain confidence and experience. It also helps you meet other musicians and people in the music world. Networking is a big part of becoming successful. Be friendly, professional, and always ready to learn from others.
The most important thing is to love what you do. If you make music because you truly enjoy it, others will feel that passion.
Letroy Toussaint
Musician
10
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Letroy’s Answer
Hello Chansa!
I noticed you minimalized your goals, hopes and dreams into a home and auto bundle and you are hoping for the best. To stay in the lane of your question I have developed an itemized list of steps most famous musicians have taken to achieve their dreams. Just for the record, I am a musician who has been gainfully employed as a church musician for over 20 years and only you can determine what you consider to be a successful musician. 20 years' worth of stable paychecks or three years touring the world are both levels of success as a musician, but you must decide where you want to be.
1. Learn Music Theory: the musical alphabet consists of the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, and G while each letter of the musical alphabet can be flat (lowered) or sharp (raised). Scales and chord knowledge make up the bulk of the lesson, and this will allow you to produce music with confidence in your skills.
2. Learn A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW): Prop Tools, Logic and GarageBand are a few DAWs that can give you a strong foundation when producing and recording musical selections. I personally use GarageBand for MAC and iPad for their extensive sound library and the seamless workflow when I need to transfer a song from one device to the other for postproduction. The music production comes in many phases but they are basically preproduction, production and postproduction. While learning your DAW it is best not to become attached to any one particular track or song because the most important part of this step is the ability to change your track or song to fit the needs of the client.
3. Networking: Being at the right place at the right time sounds cliche but it is the pathway traveled by most musicians on any level of success. Attending open mic sessions, entering music contest and seeking out artist on the rise who are interested in collaborating will build momentum for your career and you may luck up and make some really cool friends. I believe it would be best to learn the basics of how royalty percentages are divided to empower you to accept and offer fair deals when developing collaborations where a budget does not exist.
4. Promotion: Sites like TuneCore.com and Distrokid.com can help you place your music on all music streaming platforms for a fee, and with the right song or the right track you have allowed yourself the potential to actually achieve your goals of becoming a famous musician.
Please keep in mind there are no guarantees of success in the music business, and while this career path takes years to develop it takes seconds to destroy. I hope this information can serve as the foundation to your career and I wish you the best of luck.
I noticed you minimalized your goals, hopes and dreams into a home and auto bundle and you are hoping for the best. To stay in the lane of your question I have developed an itemized list of steps most famous musicians have taken to achieve their dreams. Just for the record, I am a musician who has been gainfully employed as a church musician for over 20 years and only you can determine what you consider to be a successful musician. 20 years' worth of stable paychecks or three years touring the world are both levels of success as a musician, but you must decide where you want to be.
1. Learn Music Theory: the musical alphabet consists of the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, and G while each letter of the musical alphabet can be flat (lowered) or sharp (raised). Scales and chord knowledge make up the bulk of the lesson, and this will allow you to produce music with confidence in your skills.
2. Learn A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW): Prop Tools, Logic and GarageBand are a few DAWs that can give you a strong foundation when producing and recording musical selections. I personally use GarageBand for MAC and iPad for their extensive sound library and the seamless workflow when I need to transfer a song from one device to the other for postproduction. The music production comes in many phases but they are basically preproduction, production and postproduction. While learning your DAW it is best not to become attached to any one particular track or song because the most important part of this step is the ability to change your track or song to fit the needs of the client.
3. Networking: Being at the right place at the right time sounds cliche but it is the pathway traveled by most musicians on any level of success. Attending open mic sessions, entering music contest and seeking out artist on the rise who are interested in collaborating will build momentum for your career and you may luck up and make some really cool friends. I believe it would be best to learn the basics of how royalty percentages are divided to empower you to accept and offer fair deals when developing collaborations where a budget does not exist.
4. Promotion: Sites like TuneCore.com and Distrokid.com can help you place your music on all music streaming platforms for a fee, and with the right song or the right track you have allowed yourself the potential to actually achieve your goals of becoming a famous musician.
Please keep in mind there are no guarantees of success in the music business, and while this career path takes years to develop it takes seconds to destroy. I hope this information can serve as the foundation to your career and I wish you the best of luck.