Musician

Also known as:

Composer
Conductor
Pop Star (Musician)
Rock Star (Musician)

Introduction

Musicians play one or more musical instruments and work as soloists or in groups, bands or orchestras in classical and popular music. They perform live at concerts, festivals and other musical venues and may also record music for sale or download via the Internet.

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Work Activities

Musicians play one or more musical instruments to a professional standard. They may work in classical music and in any of the branches of popular music, including pop, rock, folk, jazz, blues and country music. They work as soloists or as part of groups, bands or orchestras, performing at concerts, festivals and other musical venues. They may also record music for sale or download via the Internet.

As well as performing, musicians spend a large amount of time practising and rehearsing, auditioning, and planning and organising performances. These activities are often combined with teaching or composing. Musicians generally use a computer and technical equipment such as four-track mixers when composing.

Once trained, classical musicians gain experience and develop contacts by taking part in competitions, festivals and concerts. If it is very competitive, professional agents are used to promote the musicians and their work. The majority of recently trained musicians perform a variety of solo, choral/orchestral and ensemble work.

Non-classical musicians perform at live gigs (engagements) to build up a following and send demonstration tapes or discs (demos) to recording companies. Representatives from the Artists and Repertoire (A & R) department may respond to demos, view a live gig and offer the performer a recording contract. Records often need promotion via video and DVD and many performers need financial backing, or the influence of a successful manager/agent, to market themselves effectively. Increasingly, new artists and bands are promoting and selling their music on the Internet.

Other musicians make a living playing live gigs in pubs, clubs, hotels, holiday camps etc. They may specialise in a particular kind of music, eg country and western, jazz or play a broad repertoire. These musicians often use local entertainment agents to gain work. They may perform one night gigs throughout the year or play a whole summer season in one venue.

Musicians may travel to venues locally, nationally and internationally.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

To become a professional musician, you need considerable talent, physical and mental stamina, dedication and a love of music.

Many musicians working in the various fields of popular music may not have studied music formally. Others, including classical musicians, have to read music fluently.

You need to have confidence in your own ability and in performing in front of an audience. In many branches of music, you must be prepared to practise regularly and for long hours. In other cases, you will have to be versatile and able to adapt to many different styles of music.

Musicians who organise their own work need good business-related and time-management skills.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for musicians vary widely depending on the type of venue they play in, their level of accomplishment and whether they have a contracted post with an orchestra or are self-employed musicians paid a fee for each concert.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Employed orchestral musicians can earn around £25,000 a year (more in major American orchestras). Freelance musicians' rates vary with the type of contract under which they are engaged. An indication of fees under different contracts can be found on the Incorporated Society of Musicians' website.

Successful musicians in pop/rock bands can make very high earnings from live performances and royalties from record sales and merchandise.

Musicians work irregular hours, which can include early starts, late finishes and work at weekends and public holidays.

Employment is available in fields such as performing (including session and freelance), composing, conducting and teaching. Musicians perform at a variety of venues including clubs, pubs, parties, charity balls, theatres, cruise ships and recording studios.

Many musicians are self-employed. Some opportunities are advertised. However, new entrants normally have to promote themselves by contacting promoters, agents, music clubs and concert organisers. Websites such as MySpace and YouTube enable artists to promote their own music, both to record companies and directly to the general public.

It could also be useful to join the Musicians' Union and/or the Incorporated Society of Musicians. These organisations offer advice and information on fees.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Many successful entrants have gained skills and abilities over a considerable period of time. This could be in orchestras, giving church or charity concert performances, or in bands on the local club circuit.

Many colleges and music schools relax the normal entrance requirements for applicants with substantial musical/performing experience, paid or unpaid.

Financial support for study is available from:
• the Worshipful Company of Musicians
• the Gerald Finzi Charitable Trust
• the Musicians Benevolent Fund
• the Music Sound Foundation (via colleges).

See relevant websites for eligibility.

The usual upper age limits for entry to armed forces music services are 29 years for the RAF, 33 for the Royal marines and 36 for the Army.

Distance learning courses are offered by The Open University (Postgraduate Diploma in Music), and The Open College of the Arts (Composing Music 1, 2 and 3 - further education level).

• 86% of musicians are self-employed.
• 53% work part-time.

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