3 Things You Must Know Before Starting as a Musician
3 Things You Must Know Before Starting as a Musician
The life of a musician is often romanticized in movies and television. However, it’s not all glamorous performances and rock star lifestyles. There are three things every new musician should know before getting started: the importance of education, the need for mentors, and how to manage finances.
It’s important to get all these three things right before starting. We’re going to look at each of these points in a bit more detail.
- Importance of Education
Education is key to success as a musician. Even if you have the talent and creativity for music or know people who can help with your sound production, you must recognize that an artist requires knowledge of many things outside of performance.
Business practices like marketing, legal issues such as copyright, and much more are all part of the industry. However, if you’re serious about becoming a musician or DJ, it’s important to know what education is needed to succeed.
Being a learned DJ or musician will provide a better basis for your work and help you be more successful in the long run. With education, you’ll also be able to understand why it’s important to:
Take the time to research what you’re getting into before starting a career in music for a smoother transition.
Keep learning many things outside of performance if you want to succeed as a musician or DJ.
- The Need for Mentors
Along with education comes mentorships. Mentorships are helpful because they allow you to learn from someone who has been in the industry for a longer period than you. A mentor can help guide and support your career as well, giving wise advice when needed.
Mentorship is one of the most important things that will help get you started on the path to success, and so, you must choose people you truly admire to be your mentors.
Some mentors can also turn out as financiers and managers. Some mentors will also offer advice on how your artistic identity should be shaped, but as long as it’s in line with the music that resonates most deeply within you, then follow their guidance.
When your mentors share knowledge with you about the industry, remember not to take anything for granted. They have the experience to tell you what works and what doesn’t.
- How to Manage Finances
It’s also important to know how to manage your finances. This way, you can set aside some money for taxes and other financial obligations as needed.
Going through your education as an artist is pretty tight. Especially when funds are limited, if you feel you’re most qualified for a scholarship, try applying for one, such as the Bessie Smith Scholarship program. If you qualify, they will award $1000 scholarships to you for attending an accredited college or university. This would save you extra money to spend.
When becoming a professional, the most successful artists should calculate their income tax rates to know what will go towards the government before they file a return at the end of the year.
This is a critical point because if you don’t set aside money for taxes, it will come as a shock when the government takes more than its fair share.
Also, you need to save for the bad days as not all days are rosy. Being organized and knowing your financial situation is important if you want to succeed in your musical endeavors.
In everything you do towards your musical career, always remember the above three points are crucial towards your success in the music industry. Once you settle in a reputable music school or program, you can always count yourself a step ahead of other players. Remember, education, mentors and finances are the key considerations for the success of your musical journey.