To the OP. Music as a profession is VERY broad. And by that definition it can include ANYTHING you do related to music.
 
You could work in a publishing company mail room and your profession is music.
 
You could write childern's songs and submit them to TV shows.
 
You could write music for video games.
 
 
 
 
But without a goal (i.e. a live player as James said, being a producer, engineer or manager of bands) I'm not sure what kind of advice I could give,

bapu
To the OP. Music as a profession is VERY broad. And by that definition it can include ANYTHING you do related to music.
 
You could work in a publishing company mail room and your profession is music.
 
You could write childern's songs and submit them to TV shows.
 
You could write music for video games.
 
 
 
 
But without a goal (i.e. a live player as James said, being a producer, engineer or manager of bands) I'm not sure what kind of advice I could give,

Technically, the goal is to continue producing music just as I am now, one every week. And somehow have an income from it. But, I don't really know where to start.

mohak96

jamesg1213

mohak96
I don't know if this is the appropriate place to ask this, but I really value the opinions of people here, so I thought I'd ask anyway.
 
I have been making music (more like 8 to 32 bar loops) for about 2 years now. I only recently started making fully mixed and mastered songs (no vocals) every week. I've made about 4, by now.
I started with free software, off course. From LMMS to Sonar Platinum. From free .sfz files to Kontakt libraries. Over the course of two years I read multiple books on music, studied the pros, sat around in a studio watching others work and learned as much as I could. I'm still learning, I mean I just learned the difference between various electric guitars.
The problem is, I don't know where to go from here. My songs all have a distinct style to them, so I can't go the 'Kevin MacLeod' route. Nor do they fit a particular genre concretely, so I can't send them to those Youtube channels that post songs of specific genres.
 
So far, everything has been funded by my parents, and even now they'll gladly continue providing the funds. But, I don't want that to continue. I want to start earning something from this passion. Even if it's just a few dollars a month.
 
So, I ask all of you on any tips, or suggestions, on how do I start out with music as a profession?

Can you play your own stuff live? If not, can you do cover songs live? It's as good a way to make a start as any. Join a band perhaps. Just throwing out ideas.

Well, I live in India, a country where most live-playing is done by people with a laptop and a few CDs in the corner of a bar.

Music is a tough business.  There are really talented people with years and years of experience that don't get the opportunity.
 
Maybe game music is a place where you could get a foot in the door. 
Start a bandcamp site to get your music heard. 
Give a CD of your music to one of the bar corner CD players.
 
 

BUt *how* do you want to make money? Selling your songs as downloads/cd/etc? Or get other artists to record your songs? Or for them to be part of a royalty based library? Still so many questions.

mohak96

jamesg1213

mohak96
I don't know if this is the appropriate place to ask this, but I really value the opinions of people here, so I thought I'd ask anyway.
 
I have been making music (more like 8 to 32 bar loops) for about 2 years now. I only recently started making fully mixed and mastered songs (no vocals) every week. I've made about 4, by now.
I started with free software, off course. From LMMS to Sonar Platinum. From free .sfz files to Kontakt libraries. Over the course of two years I read multiple books on music, studied the pros, sat around in a studio watching others work and learned as much as I could. I'm still learning, I mean I just learned the difference between various electric guitars.
The problem is, I don't know where to go from here. My songs all have a distinct style to them, so I can't go the 'Kevin MacLeod' route. Nor do they fit a particular genre concretely, so I can't send them to those Youtube channels that post songs of specific genres.
 
So far, everything has been funded by my parents, and even now they'll gladly continue providing the funds. But, I don't want that to continue. I want to start earning something from this passion. Even if it's just a few dollars a month.
 
So, I ask all of you on any tips, or suggestions, on how do I start out with music as a profession?

Can you play your own stuff live? If not, can you do cover songs live? It's as good a way to make a start as any. Join a band perhaps. Just throwing out ideas.

Well, I live in India, a country where most live-playing is done by people with a laptop and a few CDs in the corner of a bar.

Then buck the trend. I get Facebook feeds from bands and artists who go down a storm in India. Find venues where people go to see live music. Get a set together and play.

BobF

mohak96
 
Well, I live in India, a country where most live-playing is done by people with a laptop and a few CDs in the corner of a bar.

Music is a tough business.  There are really talented people with years and years of experience that don't get the opportunity.
 
Maybe game music is a place where you could get a foot in the door. 
Start a bandcamp site to get your music heard. 
Give a CD of your music to one of the bar corner CD players.
 
 

Thanks. Those are some good suggestions. Especially the last one. :)

Mesh
You know eph, your post  really wasn't necessary (as funny as you may think it is) and shows a lack of tactfulness. The OP was asking a sincere question and I'm guessing wanted a mature/informative answer.

Thanks Mesh. I'm getting really tired of seeing that ****.

No matter what you learn from others, at some point you just have to take the giant leap and do it. More specifically offer a good service and believe enough in yourself to charge for it.
Start doing and start charging. Sounds simple right? 
I haven't ever had the desire to do it or I would have done it years ago. I find plenty of satisfaction doing it as a hobby, but I know I could have done it.
Money in performance music probably isn't as profitable as making money recording for other acts. The education starts as soon as you start. During the education you can't quit. If you offer a good service someone is eventually going to pay you for it. Don't be a Mr. Nice guy...don't make too many exceptions or you'll never make any money. 
Get paid up front and have them sign a contract. Make sure they know what you will do for the fee and what costs extra. Just do it.

bapu
BUt *how* do you want to make money? Selling your songs as downloads/cd/etc? Or get other artists to record your songs? Or for them to be part of a royalty based library? Still so many questions.

If I am to be honest, I would love to just sell my music. Like put it on iTunes, or get someone to notice the song and decide to publish it. It's just very unlikely to happen, though.

Another (off the wall suggestion) is putting up a Youtube video (the crazy stuff people do and the video just goes viral) while putting your music on the video? The more hits you get, the more you can possibly reach out to people?? IDK....just a suggestion.