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  • How do I start out with music as a profession? (p.5)
2016/12/16 17:33:06
Hatstand
My advise for what it is worth is
1. Read Rudyard Kipling's poem "If"
2. Don't define your career path in advance, let the wind blow you where it will, but embrace every change
3. Practice, practice, practice till your fingers and ears bleed
4. Don't dismiss music based on genre learn from the differences it offers
5. Find out your strengths and weakness before anyone else does and work with them
6. You are not unlucky, everyone else has to deal with a*seholes too!
 
I started off as a musician, became an engineer because I loved being in the studio listening to my songs develop, became an engineer through soaking everything up like a sponge, mixed the two to become a producer, then travelled the world doing sound for a living. Couldn't have dreamed that coming from a backwater in Australia.
 
My band mate started off as a musician started the whole genre of sound/look alike bands but made his money doing songs for kids programs
My brother started off as a classical musician, now runs his own guitar school and has a worldwide distribution for his guitar and ukulele books and is well known as a blues guitarist in Australia.
Another brother started off as a drummer, found a non secular passion, gave up rock music because of it but then ended up playing the organ in his church.
oh and finally
7. Don't believe people who say you are better than you yourself know you are, they will suck you dry!
2016/12/16 20:17:20
jude77
Subscribe to this ezine.  It's free, it's weekly, and it's good.  http://www.musicthinktank.com/
 
It can give you a ton of ideas to get you started.
 
Good luck!!
2016/12/16 20:22:16
bayoubill
Thanks for the post Jim!
2016/12/16 20:40:54
bayoubill
It's obvious to me what those ink blots are!
2016/12/16 22:54:22
bapu
Mesh
daryl1968
Hi Mohak
 
I'm an old fart
 



Oh no he didn't say that.... 


O s e did
2016/12/17 02:08:57
craigb
Noticed you said you are doing mostly electronic styles.  Check out the following website.  You'll not only find a LOT of free music to listen to and get ideas from, but you should be able to find comparable styles, see how your efforts compare so far and have an avenue to get your own stuff out there.  Plus most of the guys are very approachable so, if you find someone who is where you want to be, ask 'em for advice! 
 
http://www.ektoplazm.com/
 
 
2016/12/17 13:34:45
eph221
What I meant by the CEO comment was *find the decision maker and talk to them.*  It's not always who you think it is. :D:D  This is good life advice as well.  Whenever you're doing anything in business (esp sales) talk to the decision maker or makers.  In a restaurant, if you want the good table, talk to the person who's giving out the seats.  If you're buying a car, talk to the person who's in control of the price.
2016/12/17 14:21:13
craigb
eph221
What I meant by the CEO comment was *find the decision maker and talk to them.*  It's not always who you think it is. :D:D  This is good life advice as well.  Whenever you're doing anything in business (esp sales) talk to the decision maker or makers.  In a restaurant, if you want the good table, talk to the person who's giving out the seats.  If you're buying a car, talk to the person who's in control of the price.




I'm single so I don't have a decision maker yet. 
2016/12/17 14:51:56
jude77
bayoubill
Thanks for the post Jim!


Glad you like it.  They have really good stuff.
bayoubill
It's obvious to me what those ink blots are!


HA!!  That's what everybody says!!
2016/12/17 16:05:52
eph221
Starise
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.




 
This is good advice.  Money changes everything.
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