Fame in the music business is a topic that gets enough coverage due to the plethora of fame-based TV shows (especially reality TV lately) and the eternal allure of the music industry in general. It is probably the single most attractive dream career for most people. But (predictable) there is a problem. It is HARD. Often it seems near-impossible to get a look-in fame wise and almost as difficult just to get any job music-related because of the avalanche of competition that is the demand for those jobs versus supply.
I write this article since I often get asked about opportunities for playing in bands, performing at theatres/with orchestras or just getting a job in the sector. The underlying principle I find behind all this is simple – the COMMITMENT and DETERMINATION (in that order) of the individual to succeed. This will do more for somebody trying to get into the business than talent or luck alone. Why? Because: A – there as many people realise, there are many talented people out there wanting to work in the music industry and: B – luck is unrealiable, something one hopes and waits for.Commitment on the other hand means you do whatever it takes, no matter what. If for example you are a pianist and you know you need to practice every day, even if you have no upcoming audition or concert then do you practice, no excuses. Determination, if it were just the sole attribute you had, would mean you’re willing to persist but that you let yourself ‘off the hook’ when it comes to the importance of everyday practice. You might rationalise why today is not such a good day to practice and then focus on other things, whilst still telling yourself how determined you are to succeed.
I say this because when I was younger, I wanted to get a job at a well-known record company (who didn’t?) as a producer/songwriter and was determined as possible to succeed. I read books on fame, composition, music theory made a mixtape AND CD along with a CV which I sent off to them. None this worked. I was determined, but crucially, was not committed long-term, to learning everything I knew about music production, songwriting and making connections in the industry. I thought all that, especially networking, was too much hard work just to get a job, and being a graduate at the time, rationalised why I had to focus my energies elsewhere. Therefore that early determination I had tailed off along with any commitment I might have made to get a job at a record company.
When you combine commitment and determination with talent however, then you have something potent that will drive you. Now let’s look at the ways in which you can help your chances of working in the music business:
Know what you want and be passionate about it. This obvious point would scarcely need including if it weren’t for the number of people I encounter who tell me they want to be a “multiplatinum selling producer”, singer, dj or whatever. Each time I hear this ask the person “and do you have a great interest in this area or know anything about it? Their answers always surprise me, ranging from “er, not really” to “I though about it and the money would be so cool!” It’s enough to say, don’t fall into this type of thinking. Love what you do and everything else will follow. This is the fundamental truth about success in all areas of life.
Get noticed. By this, I mean start playing/performing your work in front of others, even if it’s to the cat. Play in front of the family/friends and ask for feedback. Do the same outside. Seek any avenue, any venue and get playing! Many famous musicians started by simply playing wherever anyone would listen and so this is a reliable path to go down. Exposure to these situations will get you used to performing in front of an audience and will quickly tell you whether you have it in you to become an entertainer, for that is the difference between being just a musician who performs in front of others and someone who can captivate and ‘wow’ the audience. A few ways you can get started on this are:
- Organising your own concerts/gigs
- Offering to play for others at events/functions/auditions
- Helping out with your local school or church’s music activities
- Open mic sessions at pubs/bars and other venues
- Busking
Learn everything there is to know about your instrument/speciality. I mentioned earlier about wanting to work at a record company as a music producer and songwriter. The things I did do (for a while at least), is: study music theory and sound recording read about songwriting sound recording, production, composition and Buy some music production equipment (keyboard, sound modules, samplers, synthesisers, drum machines etc) and read their manuals as well as go onto any website forums, asking technical questions on areas I did not understand.
Meet up with friends and others who are already doing what you want to do. I knew a guy from church who had a career as a session musician, touring with some big names and who also was able to use sound recording equipment as he also produced jingles and other music for different clients. I arranged to meet him one evening at his place and learn everything I needed to. I actually went to his place before to get my mixtape (which I planned to send to the record company) critiqued but on this particular night, I wanted to learn about production. From that night, I learned more from jut sitting and observing him in action with all his equipment than I could have learned from all the book reading.
Learn to market yourself and network. You are the only one that’s going make this work so it pays to find every channel to promote yourself and form connections. Even if you’re still at school, you can join a music group/band or simply get together with someone you know who plays in a band and either form something together or pick their brain regarding what they are doing to get noticed. Find the most successful people and learn how to get connected in the industry based on their past experience. Also, you must be able to use marketing channels whether they are simple flyers, noticeboards at schools/shops, cards in newsagents, to internet marketing using social media like Youtube, facebook, Myspace and Twitter.
Another area that isn’t used much, but which can prove useful is print media, in particular, newspapers. I mention this because I have experience in this area. Years ago, when I was 14, my parents rang the local paper in North London suggesting a story in one of their ‘talented individuals’ feature. The story was that I was one of the youngest people to take and pass my grade 8 in piano exam, competed in local music competitions and gone on to perform in public with more accomplished musicians at nearby venues, one being Millfield House in North London. To my (and secretly, my parent’s) surprise, the paper were interested and sent round a reporter and his photographer to interview me (or so I thought) . After the Easter holiday, when I returned to school, my picture and the story was plastered on the walls near the door of my classroom and I got a real teasing from friends as there were quotes in the feature which I clearly hadn’t said and which sounded out of character e,g, “I don’t like football much but prefer to spend all my spare time playing piano for relaxation!”)
Lastly, commit to excellence. This is the only standard that will do. Passion, determination, knowledge are fine, but unless you determine that you want to be the very best at whatever you do, you’ll have little to no chance of catching an A&R /agent/promoter’s attention or simply getting that top job at whichever company you’ve dreamed about. The competion will just be too fierce. Don’t do what many on reality TV shows do and quit the job, just keep working diligently on perfecting your talents and making yourself valuable for whoever you wish to work for. Good luck
Ugo Onwutalu is a musician and piano teacher, also playing the guitar and organ. He is
Tags: Business, Getting, Here's, into, Music, obsessed, started, Still
