6 answers
Kacie
Student
Newton Falls, Ohio
3
Questions
Asked
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What are the downsides of careers in the music field?
I'm a freshman in high school and have been debating doing a career in music in the future. I haven't looked into this career a lot and was wondering what the downsides were.
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6 answers
David Brooks
Prof. Musician and band management
3
Answers
Evergreen, Colorado
Updated
David’s Answer
As a professional entertainer, performer, band director, and events booker, I'll lay it all out for you if you can bear to read through the whole thing.
1. You are so young! Live your young life one day at a time to the fullest extent possible, doing the best you can, following spiritual principles (you know, kindness, forgiveness, patence, love, hope, faith, tolerance, etc.)
2. Understand in no uncertain terms that you can do anything you want in this life regarding career, self-sustainance, growth, relationships. ANYone wwho tells you anything different is a liar, or misinformed. Youth is on your side.
3. Regarding careers in general, they are so often influenced by need - rent, groceries, bills, insurance, etc., the mundane things in life. Just get an understanding of what you will need to sustain yourself in an acceptable manner in the next 5-10 years.
Let's play it forward. If it's $3000 a month ( a conservative estimate, in these times, sadly). At 15% for taxes, and 320 hrs/wk., you need to make $43.50/hr at WHATEVER you do. We aren't to the music business yet.
4. SO the real question: Is there workout there in the music business where I can make $43/hr for 20 hrs./wk? If NOT, you needn't go any further - you need to seek another career field.
5. On the other hand, let's say you wanted to be a performer. You can command this kind of money and much more over the course of your career IF you have a. a certain amount of talent, b. a great deal of resilience andpatience and c. development of your talents towards this specific goal. There is a time frame to all of this, but you have to do something, right? If you really love music, go for it. You get your instrument, a basic book of theory and practice, and start pouring yourself into it. As in all disciplines, you must drown yourself in teh curriculum - take classes when you can, expose yourself to other musicians, start playing together with whomever you can, and keep pushing until you have songs together to present to an audience, then start the horrendous act of marketing. NEver quit, never give up, never compromeise, isist that your product is valuable above others.
Now before you go running into the woods crying, please get this: You will have to put out this energy for ANY industry you pursue over the course of your business life, so please please PLEASE make it one that you love, love, LOVE!
Peace,
David Brooks
Brooks'n'Friends Entertainement Services
1. You are so young! Live your young life one day at a time to the fullest extent possible, doing the best you can, following spiritual principles (you know, kindness, forgiveness, patence, love, hope, faith, tolerance, etc.)
2. Understand in no uncertain terms that you can do anything you want in this life regarding career, self-sustainance, growth, relationships. ANYone wwho tells you anything different is a liar, or misinformed. Youth is on your side.
3. Regarding careers in general, they are so often influenced by need - rent, groceries, bills, insurance, etc., the mundane things in life. Just get an understanding of what you will need to sustain yourself in an acceptable manner in the next 5-10 years.
Let's play it forward. If it's $3000 a month ( a conservative estimate, in these times, sadly). At 15% for taxes, and 320 hrs/wk., you need to make $43.50/hr at WHATEVER you do. We aren't to the music business yet.
4. SO the real question: Is there workout there in the music business where I can make $43/hr for 20 hrs./wk? If NOT, you needn't go any further - you need to seek another career field.
5. On the other hand, let's say you wanted to be a performer. You can command this kind of money and much more over the course of your career IF you have a. a certain amount of talent, b. a great deal of resilience andpatience and c. development of your talents towards this specific goal. There is a time frame to all of this, but you have to do something, right? If you really love music, go for it. You get your instrument, a basic book of theory and practice, and start pouring yourself into it. As in all disciplines, you must drown yourself in teh curriculum - take classes when you can, expose yourself to other musicians, start playing together with whomever you can, and keep pushing until you have songs together to present to an audience, then start the horrendous act of marketing. NEver quit, never give up, never compromeise, isist that your product is valuable above others.
Now before you go running into the woods crying, please get this: You will have to put out this energy for ANY industry you pursue over the course of your business life, so please please PLEASE make it one that you love, love, LOVE!
Peace,
David Brooks
Brooks'n'Friends Entertainement Services
Sean Murphy
Sales
3
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Sean’s Answer
Hi Kacie! As a trumpet player in his mid forties, I can totally relate to your question. When I was your age, I was convinced that I would be a professional trumpet player. As I completed high school, I made the somewhat painful decision my senior year to study sales and marketing in college rather than music, though, and it was the best decision I could have made. I was close friends with peers in St. Louis, MO (where I lived and still live) who did pursue music as a career, and what I learned was that their pursuits were quite challenging and expensive. I am still friends with many of them to this day, and what they say about their decision is that they enjoy it very much but that what was once a passion is now a daily requirement to live, which fundamentally changes the dynamic of their relationship with their art.
Having pivoted to sales and marketing for a career, I continue to play and perform as a musician entirely for fun. This has allowed me to maintain my musicianship as a hobby and not as a way to earn a living, for which I am immensely grateful.
If you possess the talent, the drive, the determination, and you are singularly focused on music, continue to do so and see where it takes you! I tell my nieces and nephews who are your age that having a hobby, a skill, a passion, is the most important thing at your age. There is little downside to pouring your heart and soul into your hobby/passion, and life has a great way of leading you to where you are meant to be.
Another option is a hybrid role, which is to incorporate your musicianship into your career, e.g., music business.
To summarize, follow your passion and see where it takes you. Be open to pursuing as a career, to pivoting to making it a fun hobby in the future, or maintaining a hybrid of the two where it is the vertical you pursue as a career. There are no right answers, so give yourself lots of grace, and continue to practice, practice, practice!
Having pivoted to sales and marketing for a career, I continue to play and perform as a musician entirely for fun. This has allowed me to maintain my musicianship as a hobby and not as a way to earn a living, for which I am immensely grateful.
If you possess the talent, the drive, the determination, and you are singularly focused on music, continue to do so and see where it takes you! I tell my nieces and nephews who are your age that having a hobby, a skill, a passion, is the most important thing at your age. There is little downside to pouring your heart and soul into your hobby/passion, and life has a great way of leading you to where you are meant to be.
Another option is a hybrid role, which is to incorporate your musicianship into your career, e.g., music business.
To summarize, follow your passion and see where it takes you. Be open to pursuing as a career, to pivoting to making it a fun hobby in the future, or maintaining a hybrid of the two where it is the vertical you pursue as a career. There are no right answers, so give yourself lots of grace, and continue to practice, practice, practice!
steve wright
Drummer
8
Answers
Tijeras, New Mexico
Updated
steve’s Answer
Hi Kacie,
Ohio is not that far from Nashville. If possible, with a trusted adult, make a weekend trip to the music city. Take a walk down Broadway and check out some of the local bands/musicians. See what they do and how they do it. Try to have a short conversation with any musician and ask them the same question. Ask about the ups and downs from musicians that are actually working.
The answers from Joy and Lyann are pretty spot on. It is a very competitive, unpredictable life and if it's your passion then now is the time to work it out. Join the school band/orchestra, practice to perfection. The better you are at your instrument of choice or as a vocalist, the better chances you'll have once you graduate. Ask the band director what options are available for you and ask for honest straightforward answers. The last thing you need at your young age is sugarcoated responses.
Hope this helps and I wish you the best in all your future endeavors.
Ohio is not that far from Nashville. If possible, with a trusted adult, make a weekend trip to the music city. Take a walk down Broadway and check out some of the local bands/musicians. See what they do and how they do it. Try to have a short conversation with any musician and ask them the same question. Ask about the ups and downs from musicians that are actually working.
The answers from Joy and Lyann are pretty spot on. It is a very competitive, unpredictable life and if it's your passion then now is the time to work it out. Join the school band/orchestra, practice to perfection. The better you are at your instrument of choice or as a vocalist, the better chances you'll have once you graduate. Ask the band director what options are available for you and ask for honest straightforward answers. The last thing you need at your young age is sugarcoated responses.
Hope this helps and I wish you the best in all your future endeavors.
Lyann Lay
Senior Analyst, Global Campaigns
8
Answers
Panama City, Panama
Updated
Lyann’s Answer
That's a great question! A career in music can be very rewarding, but it also comes with some challenges.
Some downsides include:
Income can be unpredictable, especially when you're starting out.
Competition is very high, and it can take time to build a reputation.
Long and irregular hours are common, including nights, weekends, and travel.
Job stability may be limited, depending on the type of music career you choose.
It can sometimes be stressful balancing creativity and business responsibilities.
That said, if you're passionate about music, there are many career paths besides being a performer, such as music production, sound engineering, teaching, composing, or music business. As a freshman, you have plenty of time to explore different options and see what interests you most! 🎵😊
Some downsides include:
Income can be unpredictable, especially when you're starting out.
Competition is very high, and it can take time to build a reputation.
Long and irregular hours are common, including nights, weekends, and travel.
Job stability may be limited, depending on the type of music career you choose.
It can sometimes be stressful balancing creativity and business responsibilities.
That said, if you're passionate about music, there are many career paths besides being a performer, such as music production, sound engineering, teaching, composing, or music business. As a freshman, you have plenty of time to explore different options and see what interests you most! 🎵😊
Anam Sadruddin, MSM, MBA
Risk Adjustment Manager
6
Answers
Anaheim, California
Updated
Anam’s Answer
Explore what excites you most about music. A career in music isn't just about performing. Some people love the creative side, while others thrive in areas like marketing, artist management, event planning, production, licensing, or working with record labels.
Both paths have their perks and challenges:
If you focus on performing, it can be creatively fulfilling, but the income might be unpredictable, and competition is tough. Many musicians work hard for years to build their reputation and audience before finding financial stability.
On the business side, you might have a more stable income and a clearer career path, but you'll be more involved in operations, strategy, sales, or management rather than creating music.
No matter which path you choose, you'll face challenges like high competition, the need to network, irregular work schedules, and the constant need to improve your skills.
Take time to discover which parts of music make you feel alive. Knowing whether you enjoy performing, creating, producing, teaching, promoting, or managing will help you find a career that matches your passion and goals.
Remember, you don't have to choose between "music or no music." There are many ways to be part of the music industry.
Both paths have their perks and challenges:
If you focus on performing, it can be creatively fulfilling, but the income might be unpredictable, and competition is tough. Many musicians work hard for years to build their reputation and audience before finding financial stability.
On the business side, you might have a more stable income and a clearer career path, but you'll be more involved in operations, strategy, sales, or management rather than creating music.
No matter which path you choose, you'll face challenges like high competition, the need to network, irregular work schedules, and the constant need to improve your skills.
Take time to discover which parts of music make you feel alive. Knowing whether you enjoy performing, creating, producing, teaching, promoting, or managing will help you find a career that matches your passion and goals.
Remember, you don't have to choose between "music or no music." There are many ways to be part of the music industry.
Joy Ferguson
Author
41
Answers
Huntsville, Alabama
Updated
Joy’s Answer
Downside is you might have to relocate to a different state to make money. You will have to network with aspiring musicians and it might take longer for you to get income from music. You need a break to get your foot in the door and you have to invest time to network and it can be frustrating because other people don't see your talent usually until you get a record deal.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Kacie