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Rashaan
Student
Alton, Illinois
6
Questions
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What are some of the highs and lows of being a Music Composer/Arranger
What are the best and worst things about this career?
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2 answers
Kevin Julien
Composer
11
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
One of the highs is hearing your work performed or recorded.
One of the nicest things is hearing your music on the radio. Or if you are lucky enough to have your music used in a film or tv show then hearing it there also.
Another is making a piece of music you are proud of or you feel is meaningful; a sense of achievement.
The lows are the facing challenging times if you are not sure when you might next have an opportunity to have your music featured in a film, Tv, theatre or other medium.
Other lows can be struggling to get something sounding the way you want it to.
However, highs and lows are needed because lows help to make those highs feel special; overcoming challenges to be the composer you want to be.
One of the nicest things is hearing your music on the radio. Or if you are lucky enough to have your music used in a film or tv show then hearing it there also.
Another is making a piece of music you are proud of or you feel is meaningful; a sense of achievement.
The lows are the facing challenging times if you are not sure when you might next have an opportunity to have your music featured in a film, Tv, theatre or other medium.
Other lows can be struggling to get something sounding the way you want it to.
However, highs and lows are needed because lows help to make those highs feel special; overcoming challenges to be the composer you want to be.
Angel Francisco Mendoza
Sr. Specialist
2
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Angel Francisco’s Answer
I am going to answer this from a songwriting standpoint. I waited more than 20 years to see some of my songs realized and I am currently working with a producer who is also arranging some of the pieces. He is able to read the subtext to my music and translate those nuances and textures, and colors that I had in my mind when I wrote the songs and put them into parts for those instruments we decided to play the song with. The result sometimes blows my mind! He does that after only listening to a demo and receiving my impressions on the direction that I want the songs to go.
That said, for me, a composer/arranger not only makes music but he/she/they also make magic! Also, there are royalties associated with all of this work, and depending on your stature, contributions, and the budget of projects you get to work on, there can be a lot of money too!
There are a lot of downturns/lows to making music in general, especially when you have to work on projects you do not necessarily believe in/ or truly want to. But if you believe in magic, don't even think of doing something else but music!
I have been a lawyer, a journalist, a speaker, a baker, an entrepreneur, and currently a professional in the financial industry, but I've always come back to music and I hope this time for good! So believe in yourself and go for it, if you believe you have that kind of magic there are no lows that can stop you!
That said, for me, a composer/arranger not only makes music but he/she/they also make magic! Also, there are royalties associated with all of this work, and depending on your stature, contributions, and the budget of projects you get to work on, there can be a lot of money too!
There are a lot of downturns/lows to making music in general, especially when you have to work on projects you do not necessarily believe in/ or truly want to. But if you believe in magic, don't even think of doing something else but music!
I have been a lawyer, a journalist, a speaker, a baker, an entrepreneur, and currently a professional in the financial industry, but I've always come back to music and I hope this time for good! So believe in yourself and go for it, if you believe you have that kind of magic there are no lows that can stop you!