Don't Give Up: How To Thrive As a Musician With Chronic Pain

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Being a musician is an enriching experience. Whether you pursue it as a career or as a hobby, it is an invaluable creative outlet and technical activity. However, you may find yourself experiencing challenges that disrupt your progress. One of the most common of these is chronic pain.

One study of professional musicians found that 66% of respondents reported experiencing chronic pain. While there can be various influencers of this, the outcome tends to be a reduced ability and joy in pursuing the craft. Yet, this doesn’t mean you should give up. There are options to mitigate these negative experiences effectively. 

Let’s dive a little deeper into how to thrive as a musician with chronic pain. 

Get to Know the Triggers

As with so many other areas of life, knowledge is a powerful tool. The more you can understand chronic pain, the better able you’re likely to be to manage it and pinpoint the right solutions. Remember that experiences of chronic pain can be relatively subjective. As such, your approach to learning needs to take into account both your personal perspectives as well as information from external sources.

One area that many people struggle with here is recognizing what influences their symptoms. Take some time to review the common contributors to chronic pain, including both lifestyle elements and illnesses. Excess weight can put additional pressure on joints, which can influence osteoarthritis. In some cases, poor posture can contribute to muscular strain and digestive issues. Compare these elements to your personal experiences. When you play your instrument, do you tend to have a stooped posture? Have you experienced traumatic injuries that impact your fingering technique in certain circumstances? 

If you’re still unclear, it can be worth looking to key figures in your musical field that experience similar challenges to yours. Many top musicians have started to talk about their experiences. Max Weinberg — drummer for the E-Street Band — discovered his hand pain was not from drumming too hard but from drumming with poor technique. Searching out such anecdotes can point you in the right direction for information. However, it’s also worth reaching out within your musical circle. Many musicians face chronic pain issues and some of your connections may be able to share solutions.

Develop Tailored Practice Routines

The last thing you want is for your chronic pain to put a dent in your musical development. Therefore, once you have a good understanding of your triggers and symptoms, it’s important to develop practice routines that consider your pain. Take what you know about the condition and tailor your activities and schedule to both account for and better manage it.  

This could include specific practice exercises to strengthen your body against the symptoms. In some cases, targeted physical training can relieve the pressure that triggers or exacerbates your pain. Many musicians utilize the Alexander Technique to gain a mindful awareness of the body. Some people find this helps them adopt healthier habits while enhancing their musicianship. If you’re a string musician, it may be helpful to review your technique to establish where you can reduce strain, alongside performing strength-building exercises.

However, it’s also vital not to overextend yourself during your tailored practice routines. Part of your approach here is to be aware of your limits and schedule around these. Indeed, if you’re taking lessons, you may find traveling to the practice itself to exacerbate elements of pain.  Taking virtual lessons can provide you with the flexibility to navigate your symptoms while improving your skills. However, getting the most out of online classes still requires focus and dedication. Be fully engaged with the process and ensure you’re well prepared for your lessons. Make sure you have an environment both free of distractions and comfortable enough not to trigger pain symptoms early.

Identify Sources of Support

Living with chronic pain as a musician is a very personal challenge. However, this doesn’t mean you only need to rely on your personal reserves to navigate it. It’s vital to identify key sources of support that can help you through it. This is not just important for the physical experience, but also to maintain your mental wellness. 

Firstly, it’s important to identify those in your circle that can be genuine figures of support. If you’re in a band or orchestra, open up to your colleagues about your experiences. Of course, you may gain some empathy and moral support here, but that’s not the only advantage. It also serves the practical purpose of being able to plan studio time and practice sessions to mitigate any negative effects. 

Identifying key sources of treatment and therapy is also a vital support system. This doesn’t necessarily mean relying on medication alone. Physiotherapy, psychological counseling, and potentially alternative therapies may be helpful. Remember to plan for this if you’re going on tour in an unfamiliar location, too. Take the time beforehand to search for and note professionals and facilities you can utilize if you need them on the road. Remember that traveling for long periods may exacerbate your symptoms, too, so identify exercise facilities on your route.

Conclusion

Chronic pain can certainly be a difficult hurdle to overcome as a musician. It’s important to gain a better understanding of both the common causes of pain and those specific to your circumstances. You can then develop more mindful practice routines and seek out appropriate treatment resources. With some knowledge, focus, and planning, you can ensure you thrive as a musician in spite of these health challenges.

Don't Give Up: How To Thrive As a Musician With Chronic Pain

Hitting the Road Again? 3 Tips to Remember for Your Tour

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For the last two years, concerts and festivals have been at a halt thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more artists and venues feel comfortable enough to get back to “normal” and start playing shows again. If you’re a musician, you’re probably breathing a sigh of relief, and you also probably have a lot of excitement rushing through your veins at the idea of hitting the road again!

However, after some time away from touring, it may be beneficial to recalibrate your checklists. It might be just like riding a bicycle, but it never hurts to make sure you and your band are as prepared as possible. 

The music will always come first, and you probably don’t have to worry about putting on a killer show. But, staying safe, healthy, and comfortable while on tour should be a top priority so you can continue to hit the road for years to come. 

With that, let’s cover a few tips you should keep in mind for your upcoming tour. The more you focus on the importance of behind-the-scenes issues, the better your shows and your tour experience will be. 

1. Keep Yourself Safe

As much as we’d all like to think we’re suddenly living in a COVID-free world, that isn’t the case. 

While we’re entering a post-pandemic society, the threat of the virus is still very real. If you or someone in your group is immuno-compromised, you might be at an even greater risk of catching COVID or another virus while on the road. So, instead of going on a traditional full-fledged tour, you might consider dipping your toe back into the lifestyle by only performing outdoor shows or keeping your performances limited to small venues. 

It’s also important to remember that COVID isn’t the only threat. When you’re on tour, it’s common to share a van or bus with several other people. You’re also interacting with fans every day, visiting local facilities, restaurants, and more. It’s easy to “catch” something, from a common cold to more serious viruses. 

And, as much as you don’t want to “jinx” anything, accidents can happen. Whether someone trips and falls over a cord or ends up with a broken toe from heavy equipment, the last things you want to worry about are illnesses and injuries. 

Keeping a first aid kit in your van or bus is a good start, but it’s also essential to make sure you know where local medical facilities are, or how to find them wherever you’re staying. 

2. Consider a Side Hustle

If you haven’t been touring in a while, you also may not have been making as much money as you used to. While touring isn’t necessarily a cash cow, it’s the lifeblood of many musicians’ careers. 

You might have taken on a part-time job or side hustle to make ends meet throughout the last couple of years. There’s no reason that has to stop when you hit the road. 

Remote work has become more popular than ever over the last few years, with over 4.7 million people working from home at least half the time. If you have a strong Wi-Fi connection and a few hours to kill each day, you can earn extra money while on tour, which can sustain you and your band and help you to stay on the road longer. Some of the best options for remote work for musicians include

• Graphic design

• Freelance writing

• English tutoring

• Coding

• Marketing

Remote work isn’t for everyone. Some jobs require you to be present during specific hours of the day, and that might not be feasible with your lifestyle. However, if you can find something with flexibility and something you enjoy, you can improve your financial well-being while on the road. 

3. Maintain Your Health

There’s a difference between having safety precautions in place and practicing preventative healthcare. 

Tours are notorious for long stretches of being sedentary, eating a lot of fast food, and not getting enough sleep. No matter how rock-and-roll it sounds, that’s not exactly the “healthy lifestyle” anyone should maintain for too long. 

Make sure you and your bandmates are prioritizing your physical and mental health while you’re on the road. That includes basic things like

• Exercising

• Eating healthy

• Getting enough sleep

• Avoiding alcohol

If anyone has any underlying conditions, such as GERD or other digestive issues, managing diet is extremely important. It’s worth it to pack your own healthy snacks, rather than relying on fast food and convenience stores that could trigger symptoms, and you should always have antacids or other medications on hand to help with symptoms. 

Managing your mental health is just as crucial. It’s not always easy to be away from home, no matter how much you love the lifestyle. To combat the feelings of stress and loneliness, consider things like mindfulness, meditation, or journaling. If you’re feeling anxious or depressed while on the road, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Remote work has seen a rise in recent years, but so has teletherapy, allowing you to talk to a counselor or therapist anywhere in the country. 

By focusing on physical, mental, and financial well-being, you’ll be better prepared for your upcoming tour, and you can enjoy every moment on stage that much more. No matter how ready you are to hit the road, don’t forget about this important “checklist” for a better experience no matter where you are.

Hitting the Road Again? 3 Tips to Remember for Your Tour

Saving for Retirement as a Professional Musician

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Saving for Retirement as a Professional Musician

Being a professional musician can mean many different things. You could make your living selling records, touring, playing an instrument, or singing. You may not win a Grammy for your work or end up on the Billboard charts, but it doesn’t make you any less of a professional. 

No matter what level you’re on, being a professional musician can be a lot of fun. However, it also comes with several challenges and uphill battles you’ll have to face throughout your career. 

One of those challenges includes saving for retirement. You might be able to make a living playing music now, but saving for the future is another story. 

Whether music is your primary or only source of income, it’s not impossible to save for retirement. However, the sooner you get started, the better! Let’s take a look at how you can make the most of your income, manage your money, and build the capital you need to lead a comfortable retirement. 

Managing Your Money

If you have a consistent, day-to-day job as a musician, setting money aside is easy. You probably don’t have to worry about things like tax penalties or even calculating how much you can afford to save. 

However, not every professional musician has that luxury. When you’re concert-hopping or living gig-to-gig, it can be difficult to practice healthy money management. 

It’s easier than you might think to manage your money, but it can take some organizational skills. Start by creating a budget for yourself. Look at the income you’re bringing in each month and how you’re spending it. From there, you can come up with ways to “cut back” on your spending habits, both in your personal and professional lives. 

For example, as a traveling musician, you might spend a lot of money on gas to get from one gig to another. Think of ways you can save on gas, like preserving your car’s efficiency and optimizing your driving. Choose to bring your own food along rather than stopping at fast-food joints, and keep a separate “road budget” so you don’t end up buying things you don’t need. 

In your personal life, you can manage your money and decrease your spending by cutting back on things like subscription services and dining out. 

You should be budgeting to save, not just to pay your bills now. Whether you set aside a section of your budget as an emergency fund or specifically dedicate some of your monthly income to savings, it’s easier to manage your money when you have something tangible written down. 

Taking Care of Taxes

We touched on tax penalties above, but are you aware that some of your savings could actually be costing you money? Taxation penalties are destructive and can take away some of the hard-earned cash that you’re trying to store away for retirement. If you want to maintain and grow your savings accounts, it’s important to be aware of exemptions. Some of the most common tax-exempt savings accounts include:

• 401(k)s

• IRAs

• Roth accounts

• FSAs

• HSAs

You can still be taxed for things like early withdrawal and minimum distributions. However, if you work with an investor or accountant on setting up an account, they can guide you through the process and help you mitigate penalties. 

As a musician, you probably pay your taxes every year. Maybe you even pay quarterly taxes to avoid a large lump sum owed at the end of every fiscal year. The last thing you want is to deal with more taxation when you’re trying to get ahead. In fact, you should be looking into expenditures that you can write off and deduct! Invest your time and money into working with a tax professional that can help to ensure financial stability for your future. 

Have a Back-Up Option

Whether you’re gigging every night, you’re a “seasonal” musician, or you rely on record sales and royalties for income, it can be hard when things aren’t consistent. Even if you tend to do well throughout the year, you might find that most of your income is going directly to the here and now, just so you can get by. 

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to have a backup option when it comes to your finances. Thankfully, there are a few different ways to approach a backup plan. 

One is to invest your money. 

You don’t have to have a lot saved up to invest, and your return could be something that sets you up for a comfortable retirement. Some of the best high-yield investments include

• Value stock funds

• Short-term government bond funds

• High-yield savings accounts

• Rental housing

• Cryptocurrency

If you’re not willing to take a risk with your money through investing, consider using a “side hustle” or part-time job as your backup plan. It might not seem very rock ‘n’ roll to have a side gig doing something more consistent, but it will allow you to live more comfortably now while you live out your dreams, and give you the opportunity to have a nest egg in the future. 

Whether you penny-pinch to save your money, invest in the stock market, or find ways to avoid tax penalties, there are plenty of ways to save for retirement as a musician. While it’s okay to focus on the fun you’re having now, it’s crucial to recognize that one day you’ll want to sit back and relax. Consider some of these ideas when it comes to making sure you can do so with comfort and ease.

Saving for Retirement as a Professional Musician

Creating The Perfect Budget-Friendly Home Studio

Recording at home seems like a great idea, at first. You’re likely a lot more comfortable at home than you would be in a professional studio, it can be cheaper, and you’ll have more time to get every recording right without wasting anyone else’s time. 

Still, creating your own home studio can be daunting, especially when you don’t know where to begin, and you’re on a tight budget. 

Thankfully, there are things you can do to simplify the process and make sure you don’t have to take out a second mortgage just to create a functional studio. 

Let’s cover a few ideas you can use to set up an at-home recording studio with the essentials. 

Get Creative With Your Budget

When you’re building a studio from scratch, there are some key essentials you’ll need to get started. There are also some things that would be nice to have, but can probably wait. Being able to prioritize your purchases will make it easier to put the basics together quickly so you can start recording. Some of the key components you’ll need to get started include:

• A computer

• DAW/Audio interface 

• Monitors

• Cables

• Microphones

• Headphones

Once you have some of the basic equipment, you can look at other “extras” like an upgraded interface, soundboard, and speakers. 

One of the easiest ways to prioritize what you should buy first is to create a budget. Doing so will allow you to see what you’re starting with, what you can afford, and what needs to be prioritized. Consider decorating on a budget and focusing functionality via a quality computer and monitors. The “extras” are still important, but when you have limited funds, they need to come last. The sooner you invest in quality equipment, the sooner you can make money by recording other artists. 

Prioritize Soundproofing

Professional studios have one big advantage over recording at home – they have soundproof booths that eliminate all outside noise. Whether you live in an apartment in the city or a farmhouse in the country, chances are your home wasn’t built to block out sound. Unfortunately, with no protection, that can lead to fuzz and background noise on your recordings. 

No one wants to hear a car horn, a plane overhead, or a cow mooing in the background. 

Thankfully, you can make your home recordings sound far more professional by soundproofing the room you’re transforming into a studio. The best part? It doesn’t have to blow your budget. While you can always have a professional come in and soundproof your room, there are plenty of DIY ways to block out noise, including:

• Installing heavy thermal curtains or soundproof drapes over windows

• Using a noise-proofing sealant on windows and doors 

• Covering unneeded vents with acoustic foam

• Using ready-made acoustic panels on walls and the ceiling

With a few inexpensive materials you can take your home recordings from distracting to intricate and detailed. Even if you can’t afford high-quality recording equipment, you can make up for some of it by soundproofing your studio. 

Decor Matters

Remember how we talked earlier about prioritizing your budget? Use whatever you have leftover after buying equipment and the right gear to decorate your recording space. It might not seem important, at first. And, of course, equipment should take precedence. 

But, decorating your space serves a dual purpose. 

First, whether you plan to use your recording studio for personal projects or you want to rent it out to other musicians, it’s important to set the right tone and foster a creative environment. Think about some recording studios you’ve been in or seen. They usually have artwork, colorful rugs, and warm tones throughout the space. You might be inspired to create something totally new in your studio, and having a creative atmosphere can help to bring new ideas to life. 

Things like furniture, rugs, and wall decor can also help to absorb more sound. Even if your space is soundproofed from outside noise, certain rooms within the home might not have the best acoustics. If you’re using a larger room, for example, the open space can create a lot of excess noise and echo. Having items in the room to absorb some of that extra sound will make a big difference and provide you with a cleaner, warmer tone. 

If you don’t have room in your budget for decorations, consider decorating on a budget and bringing some of your personal items into the studio until you do. Bringing in a couch with a few pillows, a throw rug for the middle of the room, or some artwork that inspires you can make a big difference until you’re able to purchase studio-specific decor. 

As you can see, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money to create a home studio. If you’re on a budget but can’t wait to record, use some of these ideas to get your studio off the ground.

Creating The Perfect Budget-Friendly Home Studio

Traveling Considerations for Musicians

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to wear down and vaccinations are making the rounds, many musicians are taking advantage and hitting the road. Since most artists make a majority of their money on tour, it is important to take this opportunity, but before you hop in the van, proper planning is essential. It’s a new world out there, and you need to do what you can to prepare for everything and keep yourself sane.

If you are planning on taking your music back on the road, then we are here to help. Read on for essential tips for smart packing, planning, and how to stay sharp in body and mind. 

Smart Packing Is Key

If you’re touring the country or taking an international trip, you’ll likely have a lot of outfits and accessories so it is important to plan ahead and make a list so you don’t leave anything behind. The longer you are away, the more luggage you will likely have, but you should keep your most essential items in a breakaway bag, which is a smaller carry-on that you keep with you at all times. You never know when your luggage could be lost by the airline or an issue could happen to your tour bus, so the breakaway bag could be a lifesaver.

In addition to necessary medications and your lucky guitar pick, make sure that you use this extra bag to store your identification. Before you leave, verify that your driver’s license and passport are up to date and keep them on you at all times. It is also a wise idea to keep a copy of the addresses to any hotels and venues on your person at all times so you are never lost when you need it most.

While most musicians will likely pack comfortable clothes or their stage outfits, it is important to keep in mind that not all cultures will appreciate your wardrobe, especially if you are going overseas. For instance, in England, people tend to dress a bit snazzier than we do in the United States, so your sweatpants may not impress them how you’d like. Research your landing spots before you leave and pack accordingly.

Maintain Your Physical And Mental Health

Traveling on the road for a long period can be hard on the mind and body, especially if you have gigs planned daily. Staying healthy is essential. Even though you won’t be in one place for long, you should still make it a habit to eat well. Focus on high-protein foods like nuts and fish that will keep you lean and naturally energized. Exercise is important too. Even if you don’t have access to a gym or equipment, you can still do plenty of exercises with small hand weights or nothing at all, including squats, push-ups, crunches, and many other moves that will get the blood flowing.

While physical health is important, mental strength is just as important when on the road, especially if you are traveling solo. You need to keep your spirits up, so make it a point to call home every day and talk via video chat whenever possible so you can see the people you love like you were there in person. If you are ever feeling down or anxious, utilize technology to get the support that you need. With the touch of a button, you can use a telehealth app to talk to a mental health professional face to face and get the support that you need. 

Even though life on the road can be a blast, do your best to party in moderation. Drinking to excess can be especially dangerous because it can leave you dehydrated, and over time, it can lead to serious ailments, including heart and liver disease. A drink here and there is fine, but if you are thirsty, hydrate with water instead.

Plan Ahead

Before you head out on your trip, you must solidify all of your arrangements and have a contingency plan in place just in case. When it comes to lodging, it is a good idea to call the hotel ahead of time or earlier that day to make sure that your room is still available, so you don’t show up exhausted only to find that there is no longer an open room. If you do find yourself in a hard spot, then consider using an online lodging app like Hostelworld or Couchsurfing, where you can find somewhere else to stay on short notice.

It is also a good idea to verify your bookings before you head to the venue or at least call ahead of time and make sure there aren’t any big changes that require an adjustment on your end. If your pay depends on how many people you get in the door, then you will want to do plenty of promotion the day of the show. You can spread the word by sending press releases to radio stations in the area, and you can buy ads on social media that will get people in that area excited.

If your only source of income while you’re on the road is the cash you earn at your shows, then it is a smart idea to have a second income stream in place, which could be essential if your shows are canceled. Many musicians have side gigs to bring in extra cash that can include anything from giving online music lessons to freelance writing. Consider adding in some side work during your downtime for that financial safety net.

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when you take your musical act on the road, but with the proper preparation, you can have a relaxing and successful trip. Consider the tips above and have a prosperous 2022.

Traveling Considerations for Musicians

How to Topline as a Traditional Singer Songwriter

If you’re a traditional songwriter, you will probably have more traditional habits of writing. Toplining can seem like an entirely new world that is intimidating, especially if you are writing in a new genre, but it’s a great form of songwriting that stretches writing muscles in an interesting way. It is also nice to not have to focus on every aspect of the song and the choices you need to make (if you write melody/lyrics/harmony all together, like many songwriters do). Here are some great steps to help you topline for the first time, as well as things to keep in mind.

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Get Out of Your Funk (No, Not the Genre of Music)

James Brown = good.

A funky riff on a bass guitar = good. 

Being in a musical funk? Not so good. 

No matter how passionate you are about your art, and no matter how talented of a musician you might be, no one is immune to falling into “funks” from time to time. Maybe you just don’t have the motivation to practice. Maybe nothing is inspiring you to write. 

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6 Work-at-home music jobs that actually pay well

I’m an introvert. I have to be excited about doing something in order to leave my house. So work-at-home music jobs are a godsend. 

I sit on my butt, make music, and earn a consistent income doing it. 

This post will introduce you to six ways to make money from music without leaving home, all of which I’ve done before. 

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How to strengthen your stage presence: 7 tips

For many musicians, performing on stage taps into both their deepest desires and their darkest insecurities. That’s why fighting stage fright and achieving a confident stage presence can feel so personal and be so frustrating. 

While developing your dream stage presence is a challenge, it is possible! See the seven tips below for concrete ways to build a stronger stage presence. 

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Tips for hosting a safe indoor concert

Live music has finally returned, but with winter making its inevitable return, fans and artists are once again being pushed indoors, and with variants still a pressing concern, many in the live music industry are nervous about how to safely execute a live concert. Here, we look at a few ways to make indoor concerts a safer affair.

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How to prepare for your next studio session

Guest post by Gideon Waxman. This article originally appeared on Soundfly’s Flypaper

As I prepare to head into the recording studio later this month, I figured now would be a great time to share some insights on how I’ve been able to manage my time and resources efficiently, in order to get to this point.

Whether you’re about to lay down your first single or you’re a band confidently sailing into your third full-length album, it’s just as important to make certain practical and mental preparations before entering any recording studio session. Otherwise, you run the risk of wasting your time, or that of the engineer(s), your money, and all the energy and efforts that got you here.

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Lyrical themes, and the many ways we can develop them…

Guest post by Charlotte Yates. This article originally appeared on Soundfly’s Flypaper

What do you want your lyrics to actually do? Show us how desperately you want someone or how angry you are about something? Or do you want to your lyrics to make us behave a certain way, notice the homeless, start a revolution, or dance the night away?

At some stage you have to figure out exactly what you want to express. At first this might not be 100% clear. But you may have a general idea what you want to get across — that’s your theme right there: a basic notion or vision for the song.

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This is how I make music every day without fail

If you want to be a consistent musician, I have tips from my first-hand experience.

Just to give you some context…

I’ve released over 100 songs in the past 12 years. My music has been on NBC. I make consistent income from my music.

But most importantly, I get to make music every day, without fail.

Here’s how I do it…

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Strategies for the shy singer: Part 2

In Part 1 last month we interviewed 2x Grammy® winner, Kalani Pe’a, on the topic of overcoming shyness and a lack of confidence.  Singers struggle with this more often than you think.  If you haven’t checked it out yet, do so here.  Read on for some more strategies you can apply while you practice at home, and when you hit the stage. 

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