The Big Question: How To Make a Living In Music?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ธ.ค. 2016
- This is a response to a question from one of my viewers. This doesn't have an easy answer without talking about how money is made from Publishing, Record Sales, Sound Exchange, BMI or ASCAP, Publishing, Live Performance, Crowdfunding, TH-cam, Teaching, Film Scoring and Licensing. I tried to address all or most of these things with actual numbers and how it all works.
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Great video, Rick, but you left out playing music live in bars as an income source. I don't like to brag, but I made well over a hundred dollars gigging last year. Honest.
Richard Adamson $100 for the entire year? honest thats like nothing buddy and not liveable
dude now imagine if this guy is being ironic
That's awesome dude - do you plan to invest it in stocks and retire soon?
No, I'm spending it all on beer, women, and music lessons. Okay, I'm just kidding about the music lessons.
Studio work is good money.Messing up is prohibited and if you do,your in trouble.Keep being on the money and you get more work.You need to read formal notation and chord charts and how to improvise in many styles.Its demanding but lucrative.
How does a jazz musician make a million dollars? He starts with two million dollars.
The flip side to having another career other than music is you get to play what you really enjoy.
Sam Anthony: That's a pretty funny line---it could also double as a Trump joke.
thats about right
That's great..
This is so true. Which should be the main motivating goal.
I first heard it as a luthier....
“We’ve taken care of everything from the words you read to the songs you sing, the pictures that give pleasure to your eye” - Rush 2112
Temples of syrinx is a great song
My father, god bless his soul. Told me when I was young and with a “dream” just get a simple career and if something happens to your music you’ll be lucky! But with your normal job you won’t be rich but you’ll be comfortable. Thank you dad, rest easy. He knew way ahead of time that I wasn’t going to make it, ha ha!
Lol
“ they can’t steal your live performance”
In comes Covid
just thought the same thing
That's uh... not even related to what he meant by that.
Well yeah over all no, live performance at the end of the day is the magic that makes the artists money and no one can really take that from you. Except a global airborne pandemic. Lol
So many musicians struggled hard not being able to perform or even play with other people but later on in the year streaming live performance became even bigger than it was before and now I feel it is an industry standard.
You gotta have live content online now
No but they can try to steal the money from it.... Be wise as serpent
cringe comment
The problem with musicians is that most of them see themselves as entrepreneurs who are one day gonna make it big. It’s this attitude that has kept musicians in poverty. When they all wake up to reality and realize that they are more like day laborers who are never gonna be huge, then they’ll see the need to form unions who will boycott establishments that refuse to pay their workers a living wage. Musicians are the most nickeled and dimed group of professionals out there. The “I just do it for the love of it” attitude is bullshit. Musicians perform a very important function and should be compensated. Form unions because you deserve more.
My roommate and I have almost entirely replaced streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Whatever, at night with your videos. You have a palpably contagious passion and it serves as a perfect reminder that life wouldn't be so bad if we all just loved, learned from, and lived for each other. Thank you for taking the time to share with us what you have learned my brother from a cosmic mother.
Cheers from Raleigh, NC, USA!
Thank you!!!
Here we are in 2023, six years later, and the answers to the big question haven't gotten any easier. A lot has continued to change in Music. The Music Modernization Act passage in 2018 creating the introduction of the MLC changed the royalty collection and payment landscape. Rick, it would be great if you would do an update to this very informative video. As a songwriter and producer of over 120 instrumental songs over the last 40+ years, I have made a good living and lived through the whole progression from vinyl, cassette tapes, CDs, downloads, streaming, ... But, if I had to start all over today, it is doubtful that I could make a living. We musicians have almost no physical product to sell these days. Even CD players are becoming extinct. Please consider an update video. Love your videos and would love to meet you in person someday.
"Don't quit your day job."
That's the name of my publishing company: "Don't quit your day job Publishing".
Right! My day job buys all my guitars and amplifiers!
I’m happy someone recognized the Tele-Communications Act. In the past, there was a limit as to how many radio stations a company can own. The thinking was that it was bad for democracy, and it was bad for business. Having one company owning everything stifles business and creativity.
A great example of how beneficial it was for artists in the old days is the movie “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Loretta Lynne and her husband went from radio station to radio station throughout the South trying to get her demo played on air. Most wouldn’t play it, but some did, and when the song became a hit on those stations that aired it, those that didn’t play it originally began to do so. She was able to pull this off because, by law, all those stations were separately owned. Nowadays, with only six companies owning every station, this can’t be done.
And those 6 are probably all run or owned by the same top executives.
It's hard. The fact that there is not much money to make many talented people will work in there usual jobs and will never have the time and energy to focus on their music as much as it needs.
Current situation. It's so depressing and stifling but my bills need to be paid, sigh.
I feel like this video leaned over towards the question "once you make any money from music, where is it coming from?".
I think a good way to answer the question "how to make a living in music" would be - in order to make a living doing music, you need to do MULTIPLE things at the same time. Relying solely on succeeding with your own form of art is close to impossible (still is possible, but very difficult and might take years until it becomes dependable).
Here are some ideas of music related streams of income to think about:
- Sound Engineering (studio or live)
- Teaching (privately or in an institute, a music teaching business/website)
- Producing
- TH-cam (content creation, ad revenue, 'Patreon' support etc.)
- Session work (irl or online)
- Musical Performance (with your own music or someone else's) + it's secondary ways of income (merchandise, digital and physical record selling and streaming, etc.)
- Film Scoring (or any other type of "intended composing")
- Running or renting out a rehearsal space
- (for people who own a lot of instruments) Instrument Renting
- Instrument building
- Instrument set up and maintenance
Those are a few ideas to have in mind.
Even if you want to be more niche and become an expert in one field (say a performing musician), try to diversify yourself and have several jobs running at the same time, ie take part in several projects at the same time.
Honestly, if you can sustain even just a few of those avenues at the same time you are going to make at least a decent amount of money as a musician, plus, having these parallel sources of income means you're less susceptible to the uncertainties of living a life based solely around music.
Hope that helps anyone.
Thanks ,Ben H.G for your great ideas.I will make use some of them
Don’t forget making sample packs, sound design, that kinda thing. It’s a very viable option *once you have a decent following*.
In any case, you’re absolutely right- DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO. Just like with investments. Which I highly recommend as well. You score a sweet gig and you net, say, 3kUSD. I know most music peeps in my world would want to go get a new tube pre or daw upgrade but me, I’d throw it into a vanguard and let the money do some work of its own.
Thank you man.
You just opened a box of a few surprises for me. Thanks a lot bro.
This is much more realistic reply than the ones that say that “capitalism” sucks for music, Or that “capitalism sucks for art” in general. Go to my reply to some of those posts for more details.
35:30ish: "If you become a TH-cam star and get a million subscribers, you're making a lot of money." Welcome to the machine, my friend!
domo origato, Mr Beato...
How do you end up with a $1000,000 in the music business? Start with $5000,000 and gig for a couple of years. :)
I remember back in the day, mid-70s, when buying a piece of vinyl was a moment of great anticipation. You would put that album on, sit back, look at the artwork, read the liner notes/lyrics and play that album until it had worn out. Music shows like Top of The Pops in the UK were 'institutions' - a conversation topic next day at school: '... did you see so and so? Did you see that band, this band...?' You just didn't dare miss it. Music, as a normal, cultural 'phenomenon' was held in high esteem and aspired to. It was 'special'.
Fast forward to now.... Frankly, no one gives a s**t. Kids have the attention span of a Labrador puppy. So many things vie for their attention - games, internet, smartphones etc - music isn't the huge point of focus it once was. The internet has made so much music available that its value has plummeted financially and culturally. Diamonds only have value because the mining of them is carefully controlled and restricted. Too many diamonds and the value falls. This is what happened to music: its total accessability has been its undoing. Some will make money but they will be a miniscule percentage. Years back if someone had 200 vinyl albums they were a serious, hardcore collector. These days, my ex girlfriend had over 100,000 mp3s on her hard drive - that's around 8000 albums - hardly any of it she listened to. Every month Spotify would send her hundreds of tracks to listen to - mostly rubbish - that she paid next to nothing for.
That's where the business is now. You stand a better chance of making a living with music by standing on a street corner banging out a few well-known songs with an acoustic guitar. In fact, some very good musicians do very well playing in the streets around Europe. Thing is, they ALL at some point thought they would make a million from the 'music biz'.
The absolute truth unfortunately.
Well said, Mister Frazer, it's like a nightmare, already. I sadly agree with you.
At least in Europe those street musicians can get healthcare and live a life of dignity. That’s not the case in the good old USA.
Never seen musician becoming musician to make big money. It is usually part of personality.
And yet there is a bright side.
Everyone wants to get rich. When it's unlikely to do so, the people that choose to play music for a living do it because they love it. I have a friend in his 30's that has been riding couches since he was 17. He wouldn't trade it for the world. He plays metal and it's all he's ever cared about. Nothing will deter the guy, and his passion shows in his music. I personally think it's great to live in this day in age. I just discovered Tyler Childers and he's talented enough to make lots of money and do what he loves.
I got into the "music business" when my band, Amedeus, was signed to Epic records. Everything Rick says about record deals and publishing "theft" is true. Too young and ignorant to read the contract and spent years as a touring band paying back the front money for the record production. Success in this business is different for everyone. I became a successful studio musician for several decades until digital processing and drum machines took over. When something like that happens, you have to change your game, which I did. It meant walking away from the music business and into multimedia production. Everyone has some other talent besides their music skills that they can leverage for a new career. I know a couple of drummers who went to law school and now have practices just for music related business. A lot of my colleagues write or produce. Many are great visual artists and work with musicians to create promo and web sites. If you don't have a side skill, my advice is to develop one or several. You need a variety of tools in your survival kit. And, things will change for sure and you want to be ready when they do.
When you would do a show, let’s say the band asks for 20,000$ per gig, What percentage or how much would each band member make out of the 20,000$? Also, What percentage does the foh engineer usually get?
I often hear that about contracts, but I always wondered(I read about it so couldnt ask like now) If you did read it, and wanted a change. Wouldnt the label just decline? Wouldnt you have signed it then anyway? Wouldnt most young people?
I find this content very interesting, I never realized how tough it was to make a living in the music industry. People say they love an artist but the real question should be, are you supporting them?
Thanks Rick for your honest presentation on making a living in the music business. My son is one of those people that went to school to become a recording engineer. He interned in Dallas, TX at a large studio and then got a job in a small studio in Eastern Texas but couldn't make enough money to support himself. Since then he has turned his efforts to computer technician jobs which pay the bills but he has stayed in the music business on a part time basis. He has all the attributes you mention in your video, He plays several instruments, writes his own music, records and produces it in his own studio and has set up his own publishing company. He is upgrading his home studio to be a very good choice for local and regional talent to record. He still wants to do this full time and I think he is moving in the right direction at least according to your information. Thank you again for your time to address this topic.
I love how actually playing live comes way down your list and you only mention stadium gigs. When I lived in the North East of the U.K. I was employed playing in clubs every week. You can approach earning a living playing live just like any job but you need an agent for that. This means gathering promotional material, transport and equipment. I also got work making jingles to order. All of your advice applies to original material which is about as difficult as getting a book published.
At one point, I ignored all the official music market and became a street musician. I don't earn vast quantities of money, but enough to make a solid living. And the most important - I live my passion and my work...
I just took music business 101 from Berklee online and it took me three months to learn all this. Thank you for your time doing this for all of us.
The majority of the video seems to be about how the record industry used to be and about how that process doesn't really work anymore. People coming to this video based on the title are going to be looking for how to make a living in music today. The old way of getting signed obviously isn't going to work anymore. To make a living in music an artist has to hustle more and become more of an entrepreneur. They have to become a "label" onto themselves. There are also still a lot of opportunities for musicians to make a living performing music. Studios still need musicians to play on recordings. Cruise ships still need live musicians. There are still opportunities out there to make a "living," but the standard "rich and famous" contracts are just not being given anymore.
Hey Rick, great video, thank you! My personal experience as a professional musician here in Italy since 1980 is do various things in the music business to make a living, pay bills and buy my house with a studio: 1) club gigs in many different music styles; 2) play drums on tours with famous pop artist 3) play at convention, corporate party 4) tv promo on national tv broadcast for big stars (for example...i do this for 8 years with Andrea Bocelli); 5) writing article on a print drummer magazine; 6) do european tour with USA blues/r&b/funk/soul artist on tour; 7) do private drum lessons (and percussions) in my studio; 8) recording drums for national tv jingles in my studio and in other studios (example i play on Q8, Nikon, Buitoni, IBM, Citibank, Fiat and many others; 9) recording session of every kind of musical projects in my own studio; 10) rent my studio to producers; 11) record producer (recording all the musicians and singers, play drums and percussions, mix, mastering, artwork for cover-package); 12) writing and produce music for documentary, tv show, movie, radio jingles; 13) play drums and cymbals as endorser at music fair-exposition; 14) team building with drum circle and percussions; 15) rent my 2000 watt little PA for cabaret evening in restaurant and small club; 16) recording sessions drums and/or percussions in other studios. ...and i think in the years i have do a lot of other things! :-)
👍
So many great bands are produced on laptops at home like owl city, skillet etc. most successful bands have their own space to use as a studio, practice, and storage space. It’s a changed business model.
Rick should do a 2020/2021 version of this video
so what you are really saying is there is no money in music and it's just an expensive hobby for 99.9% of musicians
Yes
Yes, which is why capitalism really sucks for art
@MJ Mail There's more than just communism and capitalism, yo. Having to sell your art tends to prevent a lot of great art from every really happening.
@MJ Mail when you have increasing stratification, wealth inequality and ever increasing costs it cuts off many.
I can't imagine many of the artists from the past who came from working class backgrounds being able to afford to start, let alone play live, tour and get recognized. Heck, many of the live venues that supported these people died off themselves. I remember going to CBGB's and the knitting factory in Manhattan & those are long dead, never to return.
Nowadays you and your friends can maybe cobble together enough to make music at home and maybe luck out enough to be noticed while fighting everyone in the world for attention online.. and run into the problems Rick outlines here.
It's great that people /can/ make slick music without record companies but if I had a dollar for every musician I know that hasnt been able to do what they wanted or quit, I'd be rich tbh
Sounds about right.
Over forty years in the music industry and I could not agree more with every word said here. This is Solid gold information.
Just turned 50 and I still love music. My band had a record deal with BMG in the mid 90s, released a full length and toured the country twice. But it fizzled out because we never wanted to become pop stars, and I personally didn't get into music to make money. These days I could care less about how the industry changed because I was never a fan of the industry to begin with, not even in the so-called "better days". If making music is part of who you are, do it for fun and don't change who you are. Do something else to make money.
Darthchopper yes have a back up plan. Music is a great gift to share but learn a trade.
I know guys who have made tens of dollars as professional musicians.
@Hooked On Chronics I completely forgot about that video. Haha
I highly recommend reading "How To Make It in the New Music Business" from Ari Herstand, really good book on the matter, you don't need to be a superstar to make a living.
YOUR WHOLE CHANNEL IS HEAVEN TO ME
I think I will write a book on how money used to be made in the Music Business as it is all downhill now. Having played for 55 years it is very sad to notice the lack of opportunities for up and coming artistes
There is also the tried and true street performing. If you have chops you can easily pull in $100-$250 an hour with a guitar box laying on the ground. Even if you are terrible people will throw a couple of bucks down. Location is 🔑
So true: I was on the street near Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco circa 1993... saw this guy playing guitar, and making up funny lyrics about people as they went by on the sidewalk. He was good. I put a couple bucks in his guitar case. Later that evening... we were walking back to our hotel, and that same street musician was loading up and leaving in a limousine. True story. I was like, WTF? then thought, eh, he is pretty good.
Uk7769, I grew up in The Bay Area and was there around that time. I remember a guy that glued a plastic bush to his back and hid in the shrubs by the pier. He'd pop out and scare the hell out of folks and that was his full time job. In SF he was probably making $500 a day. There is so much damn money in that area nowadays that he might have made enough to retire on.
Is your studio radioactive? That Geiger counter is going mental
LOL! I know!!! It was driving me NUTS! (At one point, I had to pause it just to see if it was something in my office or on the video!) I have a feeling it's either an AC unit or an oscillating fan... Either way...yikes! 😉😁
Ha! I thought it was something in my room. I kept looking around for what it was...🤪
The Imagine Dragons just finished up a session...turrible.
“Mine is in the shop”
Great video that confirmed my fears about going into the music business. I went to college in Mississippi back in the early 2000's and switched my major from music to business administration, because I was afraid I really wouldn't be able to make a living in the music industry. I've been playing piano, guitar, bass & drums since my middle school years, write my own music & lyrics and understand mixing, but I was never excellent and any of those things. I am so glad I made that decision back then to get a normal job and have a family while using my talents as a hobby and at church. Thanks for the info.
2112 rush lyrics concept vinal.Overture
The field of music is so so so competetive, it require a lot of sacrifices
For the past 20 years I've been making a living producing Foxrox guitar pedals during the week and playing weddings on the weekends, around 70 per year. Electronics and guitar, my two main hobbies. Thank you Music.
Lots of truths here Rick ! I would add that, If your an artist, the most important revenue stream, at any level, is live performance. You have to be able to sell tickets to your performances. Most acts, established or emerging, generate most of their revenue from live performance. Your ability to do, especially early on, is an indication that people like what your doing and will likely buy your recordings, merch, and other income generating vehicles as well. While you can make money selling the music itself, I would suggest that, more than not, music sales revenue is a fringe benefit of successful touring. Radio, for example, functions as a marketing tool for live performance revenue. Moral of the story is, if you (or a club owner or promoter) is having trouble selling tickets to your shows, you need to step back and take a hard look at what your doing, both artistically and marketing wise. Its not just about being great (very subjective) but its about getting people to buy in to what your doing on stage. Every thing else follows.
This sounds like the publishing industry and others as well. You don’t get a book deal unless your book is selling. Sounds odd, but with the Internet, publishers can sit back and take less risk this way. Not so good for the up and comers but great for the publishers.
I have a non-music related full time job, but I always love the feeling of playing music live (although only few times a year, mostly at friends' events). At some occasions I get paid, but not that much... Lately I have been thinking about going into playing music full time, but I know its not easy... Guess I'll just start by doing regular session at bars/cafe at night while working in the office during the day. It's always been constant battle inside of me, between being realistic and following the dream...
Just sharing though...
Oh, i remember Guthrie Govan once said:
"Music owes nothing to you"
Firstname Lastname Harry doesn’t mind if he doesn’t make the scene. He’s got a day time job, he’s doing all right
HAY ! are you having FUN!!! Music owes you that much , you, ll be fine
Once a famous Italian music producer told me: "If you wanna do something in the music business you need money and (the right) friendships!"
Was he Giorgio Moroder by any chance?
That's true in almost every industry.
Would love to see an updated version of this.
As always, Mr. Beato's knowledge on any music topic may be among the most valuable sources around. From film score analysis to complex music theory, I hope some royalties are being earned here because all of these videos are in my repeat queue.
I studied music production, got my masters in Audio production. I've played bass for 17 years. I produce music which I put up on soundcloud and have accumulated a couple of thousand listens. D'you know how I make money from music? Covers band. For the majority of musicians, that's the best you'll do. Play pubs, weddings, birthdays etc. You have a great time and you can make a bit of cash to supplement your earnings from the regular job you have to have.
There's always that joke about how do you make a million off jazz music? Start with a billion. Reckon if I become some sort of crypto millionaire I could build a studio, employ myself and slowly run out of money until I have to get a job again.
Good God, that was a depressing comment.
well i got to learn music production myself because im an entreprenur
Oh please...put your ego in your back pocket and go do some real music. A friend of mine going back to the 1990's paid off his house doing nothing but "On Hold Music." yep, that was his niche...paid off his mortgage doing that.
Thanks for all of this advice, Rick. Being in this industry is such an utterly daunting task. It often feels like I need the skills of five different professionals just to have a chance at ever making any money. Currently studying sound engineering and trying to improve on my instruments and with my compositions but damn...it's so intimidating. Thanks for making it just a little easier :)
Thanks Rick (Dangerous) for talking over this troublesome subject.
I always thought (25 years ago) that making a living off music making would ruin the romatic and magical nature of it, and make it a routine, stressed, compromising profession for me. I thought musicians should have a "real job" and do music when the "muse" hits them, usually, off work hours.
Today I have a family and steady job and I hate the fact I cannot drop everything and only play, compose, cover, mix, try all the diferent instruments until I get versed on them.
So - whomever reading this and delaying music to the afterlife (actually not go that far but when you are a family and not an individual with free time and will) - jsut don't - you will be sorry for lost time, lost ideas, lost music. It is something you got to try to know whether you will be good and make it your occupation, or keep doing gigs to your kids and friends and make a very good career in some business, so you can buy some instruments and gear and keep up the dream.
Cheers! Great channel :)
I like your advise. I wait till the last minute to do anything. Ill wait till the last minute to get old and get a "regular" job too.
Thx
Needed this! Thanks :) I am struggling to go full time
I have good Spotify and Apple paychecks as well as tv placements and I thought for 6 months let‘s go fulltime music, you don‘t have a family to feed, try it!
This is it
I am doing it now
Thanks
I just want to teach and inspire people, and gig on the side if possible. I hate my corporate job so much
Thanks for the comment. It's encouraging. I am in the same situation as you right now. I only want to do music because my soul needs it.
CD Baby is great, no ongoing fee, very good customer service and they just take a percentage of the sales. They do CDs and all the main online download and streaming (bah!) distribution channels, although you can get TH-cam advertising money direct rather than through their partner with regard to that aspect.
Music is a drug. And we love it. It sucks the life out of you and we just keep doing it because it fills our soul. You have to write music that changes the way people think and feel to make a living, like the Beatles.
It’s a rare thing but worth it
The best chance for most of us to earn money in the music business is to simply own shares of Spotify, LOL!
Johnny Guitar are you by any chance Johnny Guitar who used to play on Guitar War? I'm talking 1999 or 2000...
Not really as Spotify as a company is losing money hand over fist.
I felt the pinch when Disk Jockeys came in favor in the early 80's. Way less live, private party, wedding, bar gigs every weekend. Playing drums I sure felt the pressure to get live bookings. The horn players I worked with had got killed and many had to fall back to teaching revenues. These guys were not hacks they were pro players who could do almost any style. lately in Chicago seems to me live is on a small up swing. Last year at my Nieces wedding, no DJ. They brought in a small PA plugged in the grooms Phone and hit play. No JD.
Payback to the DJ's, anyway!
I live on my own, have since 19 years old. I wanted to be a rock star along with everyone else. Although, I saw this coming. It was around 1991-1993 when Terminator II came out that I could remember e-mails on the screen. I was like, "who the fuck would use an e-mail, just call the person". I got to thinking. I was like, "hmmm, digital, everything digital, I better get a government job". Been there ever since. Best decision ever. Now I get paid a modest living for the rest of my life. You see, I was only "good" at music, you had to be "beyond great" at the time. I'm glad I figured that out. Many of my friends at the time went to CA to "make it" only to come back years later. Education and government work has been the only way out for me. I know that isn't the case for most people. Most people have no idea was "public service" is at all. But, it isn't much, but I live on my paychecks. What good is it to share 240 million dollars with millions of people? And even if you get a piece of that pie, it isn't much. It is probably more than I make, that isn't difficult, but it is so unstable. So, I ask, where are all the rappers? By the fact that all the people I knew in 1990 wanted to be a rapper, everyone my age should be rappers right now. There are how many? Like five? TH-cam seems to make millionaires, but when that company starts to de-monetize all the videos, what then? I AM amazed at YT's millionaires though, that's no doubt. I'd have liked to have been part of that movement, but I sadly missed that too.
Thanks for this commentary, Rick. You encapsulated not only the energy of the biz circa 2000 that inspired me to pursue a career in the biz as a young teenager, but also the anguish of enrolling in recording school in 2004, just as the biz was cratering. Not to mention graduating during the fallout of the 2007 financial crisis. Sheesh. Posting this from my IT day job, which is my cushion while being a weekend warrior sideman.
If offered a 360 deal one should counter with a 180 deal! (Do a 180 out the door.)
You are spot on. Looks like there is really no reason to get signed with a major label these days
Great job RIck.
Can't wait to see the heights your son reaches musically in the future.
Tis no coincidence that so many gifted people had parents who were gifted teachers, from Mozart to Tiger woods.
Good luck to you.
Something that is happening in my area that is new and has taken me by surprise and all but destroyed music is that anyone who can hold an acoustic guitar is getting gigs at seasoned performer pay.
I never saw this coming, people used to think karaoke would be the death of the gigging musician.
What this tells us is that the people who hire artists can not tell the difference between talent and the absence of it.
In addition the patrons of these establishments have been assaulted so much that now they just tune out all live performance further decreasing the value of a seasoned professional.
Due to this I have been pretty much forced into an early retirement from performing, just can't find work, and since my talent counts for nothing I have no value in the industry anymore.
So what I have done is built a small home studio and went back to creating music for myself again.
But this is certainly the death of the gigging artist.
More true than most people realize. I played a one -time duet once with a guy who needed an extra for 1 night. He was so gawd awful it was hard to fathom and I thought we would be boo'd out and the owner would not pay us. Instead all we got were compliments, including from the host, who said we sounded "great". I knew she could not possibly have been listening, but she was probably just a nice person who thinks everyone is doing their best. If you watch the audience, they'e always talking anyway. No one listens anymore unless they're alone, and even then I suspect they aren't focused on the music. They're just used to having it blaring everywhere they go.
Live music is also rarely balanced or mixed intelligently, so it's usually just a thumping bass with a barely audible noise behind it.
Performing live I think it’s a lot like it’s always been, people who have charisma, people who know how to read a room, give people what they want, as an audience, can be successful in getting gigs. On the other hand people who are extremely talented, but can’t sell themselves, or do any of that proceeding, are not gonna be successful playing live in venues where experimentation, originality and virtuosity, are not the point. I live in Miami, in the suburbs, and they used to be a lot more live rock. Even through Covid I got to play a limited amount outdoors, live, most of these bands are amateurs, people that are fairly decent musicians, some even exceptional musicians, but most of them have day jobs. The audience often responds to stuff that the band would rather not play, so sometimes you just have to get in the mood and say “all right do you want to hear brown eyed girl or Sweet home Alabama for the millionth time”? If that’s what you request, or if that’s what will get you on the dance floor, we will play it. Then three guys split $500. I don’t get me wrong there are some other live bands to make a couple thousand or so annoyed but at these bars/restaurants no musician is making a living wage, they’re doing it for fun mostly. COVID Made it almost impossible for real musicians to make any money in life performance, but now that things are improving they Will be able to do it again
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I started learning the guitar at 65 years old about 3 months ago. I haven't made a dime yet but spent a small fortune on the 5 guitars, amps etc. that I now own. I enjoy your vids.
It's very difficult now when no one buys music and the live scene has decreased as well unless they are a now big time group. I seem to still pay bills and live off doing live sound for artists and corporate events well as a bit of djing still which is now also a flooded market. You just have to be good at it and have a great ear and present yourself professional to whom books you. I could write a whole blog but Rick covers all the basis. Thanks man
Absolutely fantastic! Having been a public high school band director in Minnesota for an entire career (now retired) as well as always played in bands - community, night clubs, church, etc. i always wondered about these aspects of the music business. Thanks so much for explaining some very complicated information in such a comprehensible fashion!!!
Comments here made me extremely sad. Why do i even watch these videos and read them when I should just create music. But i cannot focus on music when i need money, money is more vital task. I guess need for money killed so much art...
A lot of musicians also have jobs and do music in their spare time for their own enjoyment. Really hard to make a living doing it. Also if you have a job it’s easier to afford equipment.
A lot of artists want to create their own visions and ideas. Which is great don't get me wrong. But music is like food, at the end of the day it's a product or thing to be consumed. And people consume so much media/products/food so quickly if it cant create a memorable experience or somehow resonate with a person it's just another temporary thing fighting for the engagement of people who have every option available to engage with something else. It often comes down to the sheer consumerism and abundance of media/products bombarding your senses at all times. Tldr: create art that stands out from everything else and can create a moment or impact during someone's life. Even if it's just nostalgia. Its psychological manipulation in a sense. Create an undeniable experience that is impactful in someone's life. Not just "art" for arts sake
Oh heck yes.
Simply want to give a shout out to you Rick for the work you do and I have derived so much inspiration and knowledge as a developing musician. A couple years ago I faced a very important truth which was that because of my choice to want to play my own original music I choose not to address what I have learned as some very important fundamentals . Music Theory and consistent guidance through the process of development. Facing the fact that my musical vocabulary was very narrow was a very hard pill to swallow. All these varied ideas that were expressed in a way that was simply too much the same felt like a punch in the gut. I had to get real and either quit which honestly was not an option, or face what I have avoided for a very long time. It has been a privilege to experience your generosity in teaching and I thank you for it. If I am correct I am pretty sure Ive heard you mention living in Nashville. Being that my parents live there I hope to one day meet you and when in a state of readiness work with you. A lofty goal yet I am determined to achieve is a few Rock Operas. Hopefully one day I can talk and possibly work with you on some projects that are very tied to a great need to give birth to these concepts. Thanks again and be well and prosper.
My interpretation...Musicians are entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs must adapt to the constant changes of society. This is very difficult to do. What worked once works no longer. The dream of living good off royalties is really a fantasy for almost everyone. On the bright side it’s never been easier to produce music free from the conditions set by large recording companies. Also streaming has without question improved the situation of the consumer of music. You can play whatever song you want whenever you want, wherever you want.
More and more, it seems like the music therapy route is going to be the way for me to go!
based Rick Beato #MakeMusicGreatAgain
Thanks. Now, I'm depressed.
Reality sucks doesn't it.
Don't quit McDonalds.
Fascinating.. I grew up in the 70's and 80's ...interesting how things have moved on ..or down
I agree all what you said. I been in the industry as a Motion Graphics designer and Musician and its quite a lot of things to do before you can get the payment for living... This is why I am still not famous since I'm focusing more on the Motion graphics day job... what's also hard for me is that I live in country side... and most of the creative things happen in the big city.. that is another hard part of living as a creator and not only a musician :/
Wow! Thank YOU, Rick. I feel a bit like I entered the Twilight Zone here, as it was if you made this video specifically for me, although I needed to see it years ago.
I knew I wanted to be a producer since I was around 20 or so. While I was already a musician, I studied recording engineering on my own, until in the late 80's I was convinced to go to school for it, figuring I still had a few things I didn't know about, which was accurate, of course. I had perfect grades and was very good at it, and in fact continued on teaching workshops in it for a couple of years at the college, as well as continuing to do live sound reinforcement. (Vince Gill actually sang through my equipment a few times before he became famous)
However, it seems that no matter how much effort I put into finding work (in Los Angeles, btw) I could never get more than a very occasional engineering gig. I was offered internships a couple of times, but by this time I was in my 40's and had a family and needed paying work.
Eventually, I realized that there are few engineering jobs that ever open up and there were dozens, maybe hundreds of trained people who wanted them.
I lost heart. I even tried working as a somewhat competent cover band musician, but soon learned that you compete with dozens of bands who will play for free just to have their friends come see them. In fact, in LA some clubs charge the band to play.. So a few years ago, I gave up on that.
Never been too interested in writing my own music, but I'm 65 now, and wouldn't mind making a little bit of regular income as a musician for once in my life. So, I'm thinking hard about the TH-cam thing. Then I see how much you have to do just to keep your channel afloat and I wonder if it's just a pipe dream at this point. Do you think I'm too old at this point? Rock has always been for the young, unless you're Jagger.
Henley's line in The Sad Cafe seems profound. The line about Fortune smiling on some and letting the rest go free.
Damn shame as I think I would have been good as a producer.
Thanks again. I'd appreciate your thoughts.- Jstn
That was EXTREMELY informative, Rick!!!❤❤❤
Thank you. I studied music in the 80's mostly because of the wonderful feeling it gave me to be in Choir and the Marching Band. A former roommate of mine, Bob Stone, teaches music to middle school in Modesto. I love going on vacation to watch him perform and I often see him composing and arranging. It's an amazing skill. I would really love to see my friend Bob make money on some of his work. I sent him a link to your video. I learned a great deal. I subscribed to your channel and I look forward to hearing more from you. Excellent production.
Hey Rick, I have a video idea for you.. How about "How to meet other likeminded(committed) musicians/producers/ect. I feel it is harder to do these days with all the different genres..Just a thought. Best, -Z
Well for one I reached out to you some months or a year ago but you rarely if ever responded :) I'm a pianist and producer, 7+ solo albums recorded, allthough pretty small and unknown the music have garnered more than 30 million streams in the past years. I've composed about 30 genres/subgenres and love to learn new things. Currently working on 1 collaboration for a modern radio song aswell as my debut solo EDM track.
Are you talking to me or Zach? Rarely if ever responded? I either responded or I didn't. "Rarely" and "if ever" mean that I responded but not often?
Oh no, I ment Zach :) I just found your channel and enjoying it!!
I was wondering :) I usually respond to as many people as I can which is difficult with over 100 videos. I checked out our channel and it sounded cool! Rick
That means a lot Rick! Really glad I found a place to learn music again. It's been a few years since I actively studied music/sound theory. However I've been learning more and more how to mix on my own. Being composer, sound designer, mixer/masterer all the once is really quite hard. Takes so many years!
Stupid music business. I could have been a famous basketball player, or famous actor, but NO, I had to be a musician. Ughh
Eric Hanaway Do what most artistically frustrated musicians (like me) do; turn to engineering or producing! It's 70% as rewarding, but 100 times more profitable.
sweliam1 I'm actually a physics major hahah Seriously
Eric Hanaway Hahaha, well, there ya' go! What does a physics major do for a living anyways?
sweliam1 Well I am just at the beginning stages of this journey. I am almost done with the GE classes, and beginning the physics lower division. I am a bit older than other students but in a unique financial situation. If all goes according to plan, I will venture into the world of Astronomy or Astro-physics.
Eric Hanaway Cool! Good luck, hope all goes well. :)
You really have to be a hustler and you HAVE to be flexible. I started out by teaching around Boston in my early twenties (2005-2006) and slowly met more and more people. That turned into function band gigs (we call it GB around here...and you can make anywhere between 200-1000 per gig depending on a bunch of factors). Then, in my mid twenties, I started learning how to repair/maintain guitars and amps...so I opened a music shop.
Here’s the point...none of these things, individually, accounts for all of my money. You have to be flexible...you have to carve out a spot for yourself. You have to make connections and you MUST be easy/fun to work with. It’s still very possible to make a living in music. The face of it has just sort of changed in the last 20 years or so
Rick...thanks for this info man..I'm a producer, writer, musician and performer and I really needed this info to push my music and make a real living at it.
I hope you are still going strong at it!
What is comes down to is people don't buy music anymore. I still purchase physical media, mostly CDs, because I like having something tangible and I enjoy looking at the cover art, photos, liner notes, and all that. So I feel completely out of step with this world that expects music for free and seems content with an ephemeral stream of music.
It's sad that we'll never see bands like the Beatles or Zeppelin or The Who again, bands with universal acclaim and a huge cultural impact. Now there are just these little specialty niches with very little that rises to the top and has an influence across society. I have to hand it to the few who can still scratch out a living making music, because it really seems like you have to hustle, constantly engage your audience, and just generally work your butt off. On one hand, it's cool to get a more intimate connection to the artists you like, since they'll sign CDs and LPs for you or chat on social media or whatever. But from the artist's perspective, it has to kinda stink. One of my favorite guitarists is Gretchen Menn. She puts out her own music and plays in a tribute band (Zepparella), and I guess she makes a living at it, but I've also read her saying that she lives a pretty monastic life. It shouldn't be that way for the people who entertain us and bring joy to our lives. But it's even the same for the legacy bands. Where Yes was once left alone to do whatever they wanted in the recording studio, now they don't even want to make new records because there's literally no money in it. The guys in Styx have said the same thing. All the money is in touring and merchandise, so they keep cranking out the hits onstage, touring into their 70s, just to bring home some cash.
What a weird world we live in. For those of us of a certain age, who remember LPs and three channels on TV, no cell phones, no PCs, and no VCRs, the world is changing exponentially in a very short time. Makes you wonder what things are going to look like in another decade or two, including the music scene.
I honestly prefer the music of today over the wide-reaching music of the past. I just saw Sturgill Simpson on a podcast yesterday, and I prefer his music to the generic country of the billionaire days. There were lots of artists in days past who chose music just to get rich. These days if you go into music for that reason you're a fool, so we're left with truly passionate artists.
Sturgill is a bum according to you. What a silly world you live in, if you're vacuous and narcissistic enough to think that your preference in music is the only one that is valid.
I know you are a bit slow, but you could use some work on your reading comprehension. I was comparing Sturgill to the likes of Rascal Flats and Toby Keith, not to anyone actually talented. For all you know, I may prefer any or all of the artists you mentioned.
I forgive you because there is very little a person can do to fix a low I.Q.
Rick; great video, very insightful and thorough. I'm currently a college student with Berklee's online campus majoring in music production and music business. In my classes, we've heard from a lot of speakers, label people, A&R reps, promoters, etc. who have stated much of what you have.
Many of the predictions that I've heard from some of these same people point to streaming becoming the new profitable avenue for making revenue as an artist, producer, engineer, etc. I'm well aware of the royalty rates you earn off of streaming, and how insubstantial it is for making a living, and how that rate must change in order for there to be more "room" in the music industry.
I'd love to hear your predictions: do you think that we're just on a downswing in the music business as consumer choice is switching from the pay-to-own mentality to the pay-to-subscribe mentality, and do you think that this downswing is temporary?
In other words, what do you foresee for the future of consumer-based music? Is that future going to be profitable for people working in many of the industry verticals, or should we all go get regular jobs like our parents told us? That last line was a joke.
Good analysis during the intro Rick - I was in the cable industry from 1987 - 2001. The last half of that run was a veddy, veddy weird period (to be tactful).
Rick, you went over the evolution of the music industry. these days u have to know the business end to end. great video on actual living experience. I love you hit what I am targeting, writing music.
Just wanted to say, I really appreciate how you have advanced music theory stuff that continually challenges me but also these much more personal discussion type videos. I find both incredibly inspiring and am looking forward to looking over your catalog of new and old videos.
The Beatles never learned to read music, but after playing together a few years for food and drink, got their chops down and managed to collaborate among themselves professionally and had a great producer to guide them. But yeah, it's getting tougher and tougher to make a living in music or anywhere without the right connections, talent, skills and knowledge. But as we go deeper into the "necessities" of making a living in music today, we go further and further away from what makes music enjoyable, accessible - special. If you're in it just for the money, you better be ready to do "whatever" to make it. If you're playing music because you love doing it - get with others like yourself in that respect, collaborate, make it better and play for an audience be it your friends, a parking lot, or a club. Because if you're really into the music, and can keep developing, eventually we'll want to hear what you've got to say.
Thank you so much for this. I'm building a project studio in south Atlanta and have been trying to wrap my head around the current economic landscape in the music business and this helps congeal a lot of random streams into a succinct picture.
Rick, I know this video is almost 3 years old but thank you for the clarity in how market you own music. I have learned a lot from you over the years. Thank you truly.
The producer/mixing engineer point is interesting.
What is the best way to begin as a producer/mixing engineer in your opinion ? What basic knowledge and experience would you recommend ?
(I'm 23, bass and guitar player for almost 10 years, I try to expend to other intruments lately like piano, drums, singing, and sound design. I know the basics of music theory, etc).
After I retired, I tried my hand at typography and typesetting. The graphic design and prepress. The the Mac computer came along and suddenly everyone's a graphic designer.
Then I moved onto video production. The the cellphone camera came along. So I focused on high end concert videos. But then the market crash happened and orchestras went broke.
Now I'm repairing vacuum tube amplifiers for a living.
Here's the advice I give to young people. Become a programmer. Most in the business are actually pogrammers, aka hacks. They make ten mistakes per hundred lines of code, write inefficient code, and earn a 6-figure salary. Managers (who are usually inept) are at the mercy of flake programmers. The way you can become a programming god is to fix programs that other people wrote, and could not debug. Then write highly convoluted but perfect programs that no one can understand.
Thats it, sell stuff to the priviliged. Can't lose!
I have no intention of going into the music business (not that I have the talent or skill to do so anyways) but I ended up watching the entire video just because of how informative this man is. Thank you for the information!
I can’t believe I just saw this video now but it’s so fitting!!!
You come out with the most amazing and interesting information Rick, fascinating even for those of us with no connection with the music business (except as consumers, of course; most of us can relate to it in that sense).
Hey Rick, your videos are a treasure cove of inspiration and information. Thank your for the stories, insights, experience and teachings. I feel grateful beyond my ability to express it.
Wow I guess I’ll just keep playing for the love of it
great video Rick. Every starting musician needs to watch this video to the end... covers a lot of ground while hitting the essentials well.
Anyone else considering the irony of watching this long video about making money and paying Rick based on the amount of time that we watch🤣👍😎
His videos do tend to run long. Still content is usually very good.
So very interesting. I once saw Dolly Parton in an interview talking about if you want to make money in the music business be a writer. Seemed like a strange thing for her to say as such a big star but I think even she made much of her (pre-Dollywood) fortune from her songwriting rather than performing. I can play guitar like Jimmy Page/SRV/Joe Satriani/whatever, but as personally satisfying as it is, it means nothing in dollars. I do like performing but I like (and need) money too. I started playing because I wanted to do what Jimmy Page was doing. I never thought of it as a profitable endeavor but as I get older, it would be nice to get a little return on the lifetime of effort and cash I have invested.
I am writing 12 songs all written been at these 1 year .now I am trying to put music to it for today's sound
I'm not a professional musician but when you look at the music industry today the people who are the most succesful are the people no necessarily with the best music it's the people who are great at catching other peoples attention. See Steel panther for example they are a glam rock band who parody the whole 80s rock music scene. They released their first album feel the steel 2009 and today they are probably the fastest new growing metal band i know and it's not because of their music alone. A huge part of it is each band member playing their role very well and the theme is 80s rock parody but they really catch peoples attention and people talk about them and remember them because of their act. And those who don't know Steel panther first time watching them can be a shock if you are not used to over top jokes and vulgar language.
The Ruttles were doingthat twenty years ago. Beatles covers.
Spinal Tap.
Thanks, Rick... This information is soooo valuable, I appreciate the insight.
Not many people are aware of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It's enactment was/is very significant and it's influence is ongoing. Thanks for all of the techniques and useful info.
How did Clinton ever get a Republican bill like that passed ? Maybe because Republicans had majorities in both the House and Senate.
"Greatest Republican president that ever lived: Bill Clinton" - a quote from another forum.
Recently, I commented to some touring artists I produced a show for about how tough the music business is and their response surprised me. They both responded at how much easier things had gotten. Both of these artists had developed their own unique sound. They set themselves apart. They were also easy going and professional which made my job very pleasant. I'm sure that translates throughout their network and keeps them working.
How to make a living as a musician? Make a bunch of videos and start a youtube channel talking about how to make a living as a musician.
Bill Hannaford, Double LOL with tears in my eyes! I'm ready to split my gut. Och! There goes yesterdays gleanings. Give me a can of Lysol SOMEBODY!
A lot of people are doing that actually, And buy their schemes for thousands of dollars. People are so gullible sadly. Don't trust "musicians" unless they can back it up.
And get your music put in video games, movies, TV shows and commercials.
He mentioned this twice in the video.
@A Paid NASA Shill - hehe Tai Lopez. I could never believe people actually fell for that, but then he would show videos of being on a plane with hot girls etc. Of course those could all have been staged, but either way I could see he was selling the same old warmed over self help get rich quick lists that are a dime a dozen in the back of magazines.
His secret is that there are more gullible young people now than ever before. Kids are overly sheltered now, and many go to college which sucks even more of their common sense from their brains. I think there's a huge market with young people now if you have it in you to con them out of their McDonalds janitorial job paycheck.
Step one: marry a nurse.
Yep, my wife's a nurse - it helps smooth out the income stream to be sure.
marry a nurse, while she's bangin one of the doctors on the side hopin to "trade up" one day ?
step 1 be a nurse.
Other choices: marry a mechanic. (Or electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc. Yeah, I know, not a lot of women work in the trades, but there do exist.) Or lawyer, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, small business owner, etc. basically, someone who has a really good salable job skill or trade.
Or, have another skill, trade, or specialized area that is a historically proven money maker. Which is why a lot of "lesser" musicians go into teaching public school. Which is not for everyone, since it takes a certain skill set and a certain personality.
Nah, marry a doctor so you can stay at home all day and watch You Tube videos.
I'm glad you found TH-cam Rick. There's a lot of TH-camrs teaching how to produce and engineer but you have a lot of history and perspective to go along with it.
James Newton Howard started off as a session musician, caught the ear of Elton John, played with him for a few years and then scored a small independent movie. Now he is one of the biggest names in Hollywood and has scored over 100 major motion pictures.
Best and most straightforward video about the topic that I've seen on youtube. Thanks for making it Rick. I have one question, do you know of a business where one can submit music to collaborate with other more professional musicians that could take the music further? Thank you again!
Yes Rick...would be a great info about how collaboration in music industry works