Chunking: A Simple Method For Doing Big Things

Chunking could help you take control of your music career. 

I was using it before I realized I was using it. And it’s extremely helpful for me. 

People usually implement chunking to remember large amounts of information.

But as musicians, we can use it as a tool for productivity and work-life-music balance. 

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Why You Need A Backup Plan As A Musician

They say go all-in.

They say quit your job and don’t give yourself a safety net, or else you won’t succeed in music.

But is that actually true? Should musicians have a backup plan? 

Let’s talk about this idea of backup plans, diversifying your music career, and creating long-term goals. 

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Hedging Against Uncertainty In The Music Industry

Let’s face it, the music industry is going through an uncertain period right now. Venues have had to close their doors indefinitely, and artists have been forced into busking online for money. The music industry is resilient though. This isn’t the first time it has been forced to adapt to tremendous change and adversity. No one is immune to the threats of disruption, volatility, and hyper competition that exist in this industry.

Despite the fickle nature of the music industry, there are things artists can do to set themselves up for success in the long run. Here are some thoughts on how to weather the storms and come out on top.

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How To Launch Your Music Career Through Video Game Composition

The video game industry is now worth billions of dollars, and that makes it one of the largest entertainment industries in the world. If you have recently decided to start your music career within this industry, then you might want to spend a little bit of time figuring out exactly how you can become a world-class video game composer.

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COVID-19: Being A Musician Amidst A Global Pandemic

As COVID-19 spreads across the world, I see musicians getting hit hard.

Concerts cancelled. Work lost. Jobs temporarily gone. 

The coronavirus and musicians seem like mortal enemies. It’s scary out there. 

As of March 20, 2020, the CDC reports there are more than 15,000 cases and 201 deaths in the United States from the “coronavirus,” as people are calling it. 

This thing is more than just the flu. And that’s why cities and states have been implementing lockdowns. 

Social distancing (or quarantining for those who are at risk or elderly) is crucial to slowing the spread and ultimately for saving lives. 

So how do we musicians deal with this crisis? We’re stuck indoors, so how can we make the most of this pandemic?

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How Has The #MeToo Movement Impacted The Music Industry?

Though the phrase “me too” was first used by sexual assault survivor Tarana Burke in 2006, it wasn’t until 2017 when actress Alyssa Milano tweeted and encouraged others to use the hashtag #MeToo if they were victims of sexual assault. That was the hashtag that officially made the phrase “me too” into a movement.” As of 2018, #MeToo had been used on Twitter over 19 million times. 

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Yin And Yang And Your Music Career

I’m failing as a musician. Life is unfair.

I didn’t get that gig I wanted. The music industry hates me.

My music isn’t getting on any Spotify playlists. I can’t win!

That manager never called me back. Why doesn’t anything go my way?!

If you’ve said any of these things, join the club. This post is for you.

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How To Make Money And Pay The Bills From A Music Career

Today it seems that everyone wants to be on the microphone or in the studio making rhythmic sounds. You can bet there are thousands of singles and albums produced each year but only a few make it to the limelight.

What happens to the rest?

They often become obscure. Well, except for the few friends and family of the aspiring artist that listen mostly for the sake of encouraging them. A few times, though, the songs make it round to the limelight. 

But is singing all there is to music? Is that the only way to have a music career?

Of course not.

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How To Start Your Own Independent Music Career

Kick-starting an independent music career is an exciting prospect, but it demands unwavering ambition and ample insight. If you’re considering pursuing a career in this industry, here are some helpful suggestions that’ll set you up for success.

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How To Be An Excellent Singer

“It is not simply exactly how great a singing voice you have. It is what you can do with your specific singing resources that is the essence of a great vocalist.”

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Business For Band Members

You may have spent thousands of hours practicing your instrument and perfecting your singing tone, but musical talent is only one element that factors into your success as a band. Band members need to develop business skills, too, when it comes to marketing, promoting, and networking. Whether you’re seeking out your next performance opportunity or are engaging with fans to build anticipation around your upcoming album release, you’ll need some business skills to be a successful musician. 

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Is It Possible For Touring Musicians To Go To School?

The question of whether or not to go to college, or to go back to college, is one that many musicians ask themselves at some point during their career. Going to college is challenging for musicians, and the truth is, a college degree isn’t a requirement to have a successful music career. But a degree can help, and if you major in a field like business, sound engineering, or marketing, that degree can both enhance your music career and provide another source of income if you ever decide to change your role in or get out of the music business. 

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Making Music Careers More Accessible For Parents

The music industry is a demanding field, no matter which area of it you are employed in. There are thousands of people who are striving to carve out a place in the industry, which makes jobs that pay a reasonable wage highly competitive. Oftentimes, this means putting your personal life on the back burner and focusing on work for quite a while.

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What Does “Success” In Music Mean?

Guest post by Patrick McGuire. This article originally appeared on Soundfly’s Flypaper

For some, it’s the ability to pay one’s bills exclusively through making music. Others think they’ll find it once their songs hit a certain number of plays over streaming platforms, or once they sell out of a run of physical copies of a new album. I personally love being on the road, and am always striving to feel like the crowd out there is really excited to see me play my music. That’s when I feel truly successful.

Success means something different to every musician, but one thing is clear: Musical success is no longer, and may never again be, what it used to be. I’ve been thinking about this question a lot, what success really means right now. Here are my thoughts on the matter.

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