Is Music a "Real Career"?

[BarefootSoprano]

Hey everybody!

So for all of my life I have had people discouraging me, and my fellow musician friends, when it comes to pursuing a career in music… mostly teachers and guidance counselors etc. They say that “music is a nice dream career, but it is not a real job.” I was wondering what you think of this statement. What do you think it means? Do you think it is true?

(I’m currently a student at The Hartt School of Music, and I’m writing a paper on this subject and I need to get a peak at other people’s thoughts on this matter. So, any discussion would help. )

Thanks!
Kristyn

[Jillian]

I was at a party a while ago and I was talking to a girl who was studying violin at the local Conservatorium. She came up with a frightening statistic of the unemployment rate of people in the entertainment business. It was something immense with only a miniscule fraction of people making what could be considered a real living out of entertainment. I remember her saying that she had her fingers crossed for greater things, but fully accepted that it was likely she would become a music teacher.

I think that anything qualifies "as a real job" if you can make your full living off it -- I suppose the reason people say that music is 'not a real job' because the chances of a person hitting the big time are so slim.

A good example of this is my brother (but in a different field). I think that he always wanted to be a published author more than anything, but he went and studied law and became a lawyer because just aspiring to be published isn't 'a real job'. Incidently he wrote in his spare time and ended up having a book published last year! Here's a link to his book cover, if anyone's interested (sorry, I can't help myself, I'm so proud!): www.penguin.com.au/lookinside/spotlight.cfm?SBN=9780702236761

That said, I think that if you know you have real talent and you believe in yourself, you should really do your best to have a shot at seeing your name up in lights. Not many people have the kind of talent that makes them stand out from all the rest.

[Joe]

i believe that one can make a career out of music.

Everything from singing and playing an instrument to recording and arranging.

[nicola]

It depends what they meant when they said if it were a 'dream career'. It maybe highly unprobable if you were looking or a recording career, but I can only read is disbelief at "music is a nice dream career, but it is not a real job.” when I pay my piano teacher £84 for 3 hours tuition! If I ever get paid £28 an hour for a job like he does, I think I would consider myself a great success!

[Richard]

Hello Kristyn!

Music can certainly be a real career if you have the necessary talent and determination. I'm sure you will be very successful, so my advice is to follow your dream and keep on singing.

Love,

Richard x

[postscript]

Hi Kristyn.

1. The simple answer 'YES!'

2. The fuller answer!
An interesting new way of bringing people together to create a story. I wish Jillian's brother "good luck". As an aside I think J K Rolling had her first Harry Potter rejected by 5 and may be 7 publishers before finally being accepted by Bloomsbury. Jillian's brother has overcome the first main hurdle of being noticed. How the book sells and his relationship with his publisher will determine the outcome of his second. Gradually, over time, he may well be able to give up the 'day' job. Graham Greene was considered a very successful writer but it was not until he had had several novels published that he acquired sufficient funds to be really 'comfortable'.

That is the nature of creativity. You are offering your work to a subjectively fickle market.

In selling any form of creativity you are offering 'your soul'. You have to be tough to do it in the first place and tougher still to stay the course. In answering the question this thread poses it depends on the definitions used. What is 'real' but that you are earning sufficient money to live from it without being a burden on society? We all need to live. If one means 'of real value to the community' then think back on the old 'balloon' debates, used as a means to creating constructive argument. There are several people in the balloon with different skills, who is of most value to society and should be retained to the last? Often this ends with a choice between a doctor and a veterinary surgeon. Obviously the vet is of more value than the doctor. To survive, society needs to work with animals, the vet has two or three years longer training and must work with patients who cannot talk. Clearly he can do for humans what the doctor cannot do for animals.

Ignore the question of 'value to society in a crisis' then one asks, 'what sort of life do you want to live?' Are material things more important than enjoying life? You are more likely to enjoy life by doing what you enjoy doing but can you cope with the uncertainties with which most creative persons have to live, or do you psychologically need the reassurance of nine to five?

In music alone there are diverse options which cover the full gamut of life's experiences: teaching, instrumental playing (including singing), solo or corporate (orchestral), creative composing, performance arranger, technical skills such as mixing and studio recording require an understanding of music.

I think that anything in which you are able to keep yourself fit and healthy and feel happy in your life is a 'real' career.

Peter S.

[roger]

Hiya Kristyn,

In short, yes, it is a "real career". It can also be a risky and very difficult one. I wonder if that is why some have tried to discourage you.

It is all too easy for the casual listener to assume that being a singer is easy. Well, for those who belt out a few choruses in the Nag's Head on a Friday night, yes, it is. But there is so much more to being a singer than that as you know only too well. It has been said that, for every hour on stage, fifteen hours of work are required. To do it occasionally and merely in local clubs is fun (as I know from experience) but to do it as a career takes a huge amount of dedication and stamina. But for those who are successful, it can be very rewarding and I don't just mean in terms of money.

Good luck!
Roger

[Martin]

Hi Kristyn,
Of course it is a real career otherwise it is admitting that every arts based career is futile. Risky maybe, so I would advise having a back-up plan/career ready to fall back on if thinks don't work out.

Follow your heart on this one as you might only ever get one opportunity and avoid the Nag's head on a Friday!

Best wishes
Martin

[BarefootSoprano]

Hey everybody! Thanks so much for your thoughts. Would you mind answering these few questions? It would help greatly!
--
1. Breaking it into the music business is:
A) Almost impossible, it’s all about luck and being in the right place at the right time.
B) Possible, but it takes a lot of hard work and self-motivation on the performers part.
C) Not hard at all if you know the right people. It’s all about the people you know, not what you know.
D) Not as hard as people think, but most performers get discouraged before they reach success.

2. To be a successful performer:
A) The performer gets a record deal and make millions of dollars.
B) The performer has fun, is a positive role model, and makes millions of dollars.
C) The performer makes enough money to have a comfortable living, works hard, has fun, and loves what they do.
D) A performer gets a record deal, is on track to make millions, but it to pressured to have fun or really enjoy the work.

3. Many people do not view music as a “real career” because:
A) A career in music requires a love of the unknown; most people like security and cannot understand the thrill of not knowing what might happen next.
B) Many people think “anybody can sing or play” therefore it counts only as a hobby, not a job.
C) Many people listen to music just for entertainment and can only understand music from an audience point of view, they don’t seem to understand what goes into creating a great performance.
D) Performers look like they have fun, and jobs are not suppose to be fun.

4. Do you view a career in music as unstable job?
A) Yes, it is very unstable; you can never tell what will happen next.
B) Every field has its difficulties, and music is just like any other field.
C) No, not if you work hard, find opportunities, and know what you are doing.
D) Sometimes, but then again any job can be unstable, especially if a company closes.

5. Many musicians are unemployed because:
A) They are waiting around to be “discovered” instead of putting forth a lot of hard work.
B) Many musicians know their craft but they do not understand how the music business runs and operates.
C) Many musicians lack the motivation and energy it takes to earn a living with music.
D) Many musicians get discouraged and their drive to succeed dwindles.


THANKS!!!
God Bless
Kris

[stevemacdonald]

Kris,

1 --B
2 -- C
3 -- A
4 -- C
5 --- B ...... I think you might have meant to word this differently but I know what you're saying.

[Joe]

Hiya Kristyn...here are my answers

1. B
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. B

Hope these help!

Joe

[Richard]

Hello Kris!

Here are the votes from the London jury:

1 - B
2 - C
3 - C
4 - C
5 - B (I spotted the same typo as Steve so I corrected it for you.)

Love,

Richard x

[Martin]

Kris
My answers are:
B
B
C
B
B

Good luck!
Martin

[roger]

Hi Kris,

Boy, you do ask difficult questions!

1. B
2. C
3. C
4. C
5. B

Roger

PS. I now see I have given exactly the same answers as Richard. I wasn't cheating - honest!

[postscript]

Prompt me if I forget to come back to you Barefootsoprano. I'm just on quickly before shooting to a meeting and I want to give you time.


Peter S.