Steve Raybine:
Blog #21:
Music Performance: Keepin' it Real
Part 1
I know that most of us have heard the ubiquitous phrase, "Keepin' it Real," but what does it really mean? Perhaps it means different things to different people and cultures, but I'm going to reference it to how a young person prepares for his or her professional career and whether they understand the 'reality' of becoming a performing musician. So, let's examine whether these proto-professional musicians are willing or able to 'Keep it Real.'
A.) Music performance: "Keepin' it Real"
1.) Practicing your instrument(s) for long hours on a consistent basis is a necessity. If you have any chance of becoming an in-demand performer (locally; regionally; nationally or internationally), you'd better be a gifted instrumentalist or vocalist. Considering how demanding and competitive the performing world is, you need to truly excel on your instrument(s).
2.) Study with 'great' teachers that have the talent and motivation to provide you with the proper musical information and training that will enable you to attain a level of instrumental or vocal proficiency that is commensurate with being a skilled professional musician.
3.) Strive to become as musically diverse and versatile as possible. The more performing opportunities that you are able to generate for yourself will help you earn more income within a difficult financial marketplace. Another tip: become skilled at sight reading music, otherwise, you'll lose numerous job opportunities.
4.) In the unpredictable and ever-changing atmosphere of music performance, you'd better be prepared to endure periods of decreased popularity and financial instability. In order to survive the proverbial 'ups-and-downs' of the music business, you will need to save money or make money via your investments by consulting a knowledgeable financial planner. Otherwise, you may one day find yourself in a financial crisis, which will wreak havoc with your personal life. Chances are, that unless you are one of the very few 'big-time' players in your specific music performance field, you probably aren't going to make a great deal of money in music during your lifetime, so you'd better be careful with the money that you do make. Moreover, performing musicians often get paid at irregular and unpredictable time intervals, which can be quite frustrating. If you plan on making your own CD's, you will undoubtedly need to spend a significant amount of money recording and promoting yourself and your music.
5.) As a musical performer, you are always vulnerable to criticism by audiences, your peers and music critics of one kind or another. Adulation is easy to deal with, but can you withstand negative feedback? You'll have to realize that everyone, which generally breaks down into the aforementioned groups, may not prefer your performing style; musical sound; etc. You'd better be able to withstand harsh criticism at times, because it's inevitable, even for the most talented performers. Remember: in the 'real world' of professional music, you aren't as protected, nurtured and coddled as you are in high school and in college.
6.) In the performing world, job referrals by your peers is a common way to procure work. If you are socially too introverted to 'hang-out' with other performing musicians, it may negatively impact your performing career. Music performance opportunities are often the result of effective networking with other musicians; agents; producers; promoters; managers; etc., so you'd better improve your 'social skills' and be able to interact with other people away from the performing arenas, too.
7.) If you desire to become a popular performing musician in rock/pop; jazz; blues, country and other musical idioms in more than just your local area, you will undoubtedly need to travel. Traveling with a band is often difficult, and the money you're offered can be far less than what you might expect or need to make in order for it to be a viable financial situation. Many musicians, however, are willing to accept less-than-stellar travel scenarios (at least initially), because they need to build their professional reputations as desirable instrumentalists and vocalists.
8.) While you are establishing your performing credentials, be prepared to work another job, which may not be in the music field. Although many performers supplement their income with teaching private music lessons or working in a music store, others work in many other fields including sales; restaurants; grocery stores, etc. This may not be a glamorous alternative to being a performer, but if you need to make money, sometimes you can't afford to be too selective.
9.) The working hours of performing musicians are often at night, which may or may not be to your liking. Clubs, restaurants, concert halls and other performance venues cater to an evening clientele, which means that's when you'll be needed to provide musical entertainment in most instances. If and when you have a family, it becomes increasingly more difficult to be gone during evening hours, especially if you plan on assisting with your children's homework and attending extracurricular school activities.
10.) All musical performers need to keep their instruments in excellent playing condition at all times. In addition, you will need to have a special instrument insurance policy that insures your instrument(s) with full replacement-cost value under all circumstances. Also, many musicians need to purchase new instruments or a variety of sound modules, keyboards and recording devices for their home studio, which can be a very costly enterprise.
I should mention, that numerous performers can't afford their own home, but do live in an apartment, especially in a large city where real estate is exorbitantly priced.
11.) You must join the American Federation of Musicians union local in your area. The AFof M protects all its members in regard to professional issues that may arise during your career. Moreover, the AFof M union helps you procure work and provides you with opportunities to obtain health care, an appropriate instrument insurance policy for your musical instruments and many other things that are necessary for your professional career and your personal life.
12.) In contemporary music, it is mandatory that all performing musicians be able to harness the endless possibilities available to showcase and promote your music on the internet.
If you are still interested in becoming a performing musician after reading the aforementioned material, perhaps you truly are destined to pursue musical performance as a career choice. Although it may not be a particularly easy lifestyle that you're about to embark upon, hopefully it will be musically enriching and exciting for yourself and your audiences. Remember to always--KEEP IT REAL.
Copyright Steve Raybine 2008
All Rights Reserved
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