How to Get Started in Becoming a Music Artist
How badly do you want to become a music artist? Well, this article isn’t intended to discourage you. Instead, let it be a guide on how to navigate the music industry once you get started. There are many stakeholders out there that you’ll need to deal with, and all of them can contribute to your success. That said, bear in mind that there are certain values that you must never abandon as you explore this business.
Your fundamental first step should be to thoroughly understand how the music business works. The general public only hears the songs being released or the music videos that premiere online. But it involves a complex process and input from many players to compile every track or video. Others are responsible for promoting songs and ensuring that the composer is fairly compensated every time the melody is used in movies, commercials, or television shows.
A Wider Appreciation of the Music Industry
Clearly, the music industry isn’t just limited to those involved in making the music itself. Several related professions comprise a wider ecosystem. In a nutshell, the music business is like three separate yet connected industries that create and distribute music. And then, there are also those responsible for ensuring intellectual property rights.
The first group includes those who help build and record the songs and, to some extent, those who play the instruments. Songwriters, the singers themselves, session musicians, and sound engineers all fall into this category. They are responsible for developing the lyrics and building the song until the final version is recorded. It may take days or even weeks to finish one song. As for an album, some of them even take years to complete.
If you’re starting in the industry, you’re usually both the singer and the songwriter. However, many popular artists have lyrics written for them, especially if it’s for a movie soundtrack. You’re lucky if you can find a collaborator from the beginning like Bernie Taupin or Elton John. But once the final version is laid to rest, the marketing people take over. They help promote the song or album through media appearances or even lengthy country or world tours.
The live music industry is also part of the ecosystem, and they are the ones putting up the lights, sounds, and stages for every show. These organizers are a vital part of the industry, given the lasting effects of a fantastic concert on fans. Likewise, big tours are a perfect strategy to bring musicians closer to their fans. It’s a great way to build fanbases, from coast to coast.
Before the internet, recorded music generated the largest source of income. No wonder aspiring artists hoped to land a big recording contract! Meanwhile, the licensing team comprised just a handful of people, given the limited opportunities back then. However, they did their best to monitor the royalties from every commercial right they granted. Live music earned money through ticket sales.
But the internet has made it easier to share songs with the world. Aspiring artists can use programs like Garage Band and Adobe Audition to create songs at home, and mix tracks themselves. Then they can share the final cuts on music streaming sites. No need for the approval of recording company executives before launching the song!
If the song is fantastic, it may well go viral, which will open several doors. The song could be used in a movie or a TV series.
It’s also important to note the paradigm shift in revenues within the music business. Recorded media like CDs have taken a back seat to licensing opportunities. With more shows being produced both on TV and online, there are limitless chances of landing a royalty deal for songs that get good levels of playback. Likewise, one song can lead to more appreciation of your other tracks, which may introduce opportunities to perform concerts worldwide..
What are the Skills of a Successful Musician?
Those who make it big learn from those who came before them. They’re not afraid to experiment with their music and incorporate other genres into their melodies. Creativity comes in various forms, and every sound is fair game. Kendrick Lamar is the best example of a recent artist who’s doing this nowadays. He’s a hip-hop artist, but traces of jazz, dance, and folk music in his songs add an awesome texture to his tracks.
Likewise, great musicians never get bored of the basics. They might have a busier schedule as they get more popular, but they still devote time to practicing to ensure they never forget the beats in every song. Sometimes, playing free-flowing music during their spare time helps them create base tones for new songs. But as they perfect more complicated chords or sequences, they never forget the fundamentals of music.
That said, you get successful by creating constantly. Even photographers will testify that they will usually only get one iconic shot out of the hundreds they’ve taken. The same goes for musicians who’ve made it big. For sure, they have some songs that never made it onto their earlier albums because they didn’t feel confident in including them. But, by creating more music, they eventually found the tracks that were worthy of sharing.
If you already have a recorded song, you can refine it to make it even better. Never settling for anything less than perfect is also another trait that successful musicians share. They just know when it “sounds right,” and nothing can stop them from getting that sound. They may take a longer time at the recording, but they’d rather delay than release a half-hearted effort.
Indeed, great music artists are good at finding inspiration from anyone or any place. They know when their sound must undergo massive innovation to keep them relevant. Here, there’s no better example than U2. Compare their first album to their latest. It’s evident that they know how to ride the waves of the industry. Their imagination runs wild when a thought enters their mind. They start scribbling down some lines, which are initial lyrics, and build from there.
It also helps a musician to become a great promoter. After all, who can better vouch for their music than them? Their persona and their dealings with fans are part of the promotion process. Therefore, being pleasant to those who support you will help you gain more followers.
Finally, the best musicians never deviate from their core motivation to create music. Yes, money and fame may come eventually, but deep inside, they still define success as creating songs from the heart. They put their emotions into their craft, especially when they perform in front of an audience. And when they’re “in the zone,” the crowd feels that emotion too.
It takes a lot to be a musician. That said, are you up to the challenge? The journey won’t be easy. But if you keep creating, improving, and grinding, you get to bless the world with your unique artistry.