Beginner’s steps as a freelance Musician
Others abhor the 9 to 5 work schedule.
Every year, millions of people decide to quit their jobs and pursue their career in music. Of those at least thousands decide to try out their luck in the Music arena as Musician.
The definition of musician here is broad and includes the likes of Tabla artist, harmonium artist, Singers (Classical, Ghazal, Film Music), music arrangers, guitarists etc.
Most of them want to pursue a music career for the monetary aspects. Picture a 6 figure income in less than a year. Reality TV shows like Indian Idol, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and The Voice of India has added to this number.
Traffic snarls, monotonous work, travelling woes, the creativity bug, there are myriad reasons for choosing a career in music.
Then there are the ones who have a flair for Music in general and want to make a career out of it. They have a passion for music which does not match anything else.
There are others also who ‘feel’ that they have a flair for music.
Irrespective of which above mentioned slot you fit in the fact is that a path to a career as a freelance Musician is not exactly a bed of roses.
There are many pitfalls of not pursuing a normal career option.
Forget your monthly paycheck, think about the time you will struggle, no perks, paid holidays etc.
There will be initial jitters, doubts about success and self discipline problems.
You must always keep in mind that‘ “music is a luxury”. It is not a necessity or an essential commodity like say clothes, soap, toothpaste or medicine.
‘How does it matter?’
The point here is that it’s not easy to sell your music.
Think about the number of people who would spend their money on a concert or a ghazal night. That’s a very segregated section of the population you are targeting.
And to be noticed amongst such a niche target audience, you must be very very good with your music.
Keep this in mind.
Did that make it seem like you are stepping into a field full of hidden landmines?
No, it not as bad as it sounds. It’s just that, it helps to be prepared for the worst when you are entering a new field. Read the next entry called ‘Preparing for the worst in a Freelance Music Career’.
Author – Amit Diwadkar
