How do musicians make money?

[GuitaV]

What a great message; resonates deeply on this day when NYO Jazz results are released. Thanks. I am going to share it with my kid for sure. Yet it is so hard sometimes for them to connect and truly accept this powerful and true message, especially if they don’t exactly reach what they set out to reach on a particular audition or competition.

[jazzpianodad]

I can’t tell you the number of things my son applied for and got rejected from in high school - Grammy Band, Young Arts, Brubeck Institute, Centrum, and others that I’m mercifully forgetting. It didn’t seem to daunt him. He did get into Juilliard as part of the Columbia-Juilliard Exchange, but not straight out of high school. He took a gap year between high school and college to work on his “chops”, and then spent a year at Columbia (continuing to focus on music) before applying to the Juilliard Exchange. I think somewhere along the way he realized, or maybe he always knew, that while external validation was nice, ultimately the motivation had to be internal if he wanted to pursue a music career.

[GuitaV]

I and my kid needed to hear this today. Thanks!

[jazzpianodad]

My son’s friend who posts the weekly musical thoughts had a post today that I thought might be appreciated by those starting the new school year:

“I’m excited because today is the first day of the school year at @sunypurchase. I remember my first day of college vividly. I remember how nervous and excited we all were to meet each other, hear each other and start the journey of working on music together all day, every day. I remember hearing one of our professors play for us at the start of ear training class and being absolutely mesmerized. Today, I get to show a new class of students that you can learn anything you want to learn musically by listening and copying, especially if you’re patient with yourself. I’m excited because I get to give my students that same inspired feeling that still resonates with me.”

And for those who are starting the application process, find a teacher who feels this way about their students!

[olivia5]

@jazzpianodad

A post in another thread from @bridgenail got me thinking that a thread about how musicians make money might be helpful to those of you sending your kids off to music schools. This is based on my son’s experience, but I’m hopeful that @bridgenail and others whose kids have graduated and are making a living from their music might add to this.

1. Private students. To quote @bridgenail, “Almost all performing artists teach in some capacity. It’s your bread and butter.” My son typically has about 8-10 private students at any given time. He limits the number so that it doesn’t unduly interfere with his other music activities, but it provides a nice base of income. He likes his students, enjoys teaching and takes pride in his students’ progress.

2. Public performance. My son tours in the U.S. and internationally with his own groups and as a sideman with other groups. And he generally has a steady stream of gigs when he’s back in town in NYC. Live performance has come back strong after two years of pandemic. My son is currently on a west coast tour with his trio - first of 17 shows tonight.

3. Private events. These tend to be well paying even if not all that musically satisfying. My son will do some private events if it’s with other musicians he really likes. As with public performance, the pandemic shut down in-person private events for a while, but they’re coming back.

4. Accompaniment. My son has accompanied in a variety of settings, including with dance groups and musical theater classes, and even did about 25 shows as a sub in the pit orchestra for a Broadway show (shortly before the pandemic hit and shut down Broadway). He said it was a good experience but not really for him. Playing the same music every night isn’t what he wants, though a pit orchestra gig for a successful show can be a stable and well paying gig over an extended period of time.

5. Recording and CD sales. My son has recorded as a session player for other people’s groups - he gets paid a fee for the session. He has also recorded his own groups, which he pays for, but then he has CDs to sell at his shows. He also sells them online, but most of his CD sales are at the live shows. Most venues will allow him to keep 100% of the CD sales, in contrast to online sales, where I think he gets about 50%, maybe less. Something to keep in mind if you go to a show you like and want to put a little more money in the musicians’ pockets - and to take the music with you.

6. Online music. Particularly during the pandemic, my son and many of his music friends took to online performance. My son posted a fair number of livestreams for free just as a way of staying in touch with friends, family and followers. But for some venue sponsored livestreams he provided links to his Venmo and PayPal accounts and listeners could send tips. Some of my son’s friends have established Patreon accounts to help support their online music, or have been able to monetize online music through subscriptions on platforms such as Twitch. My son has a few music friends who have turned their online music into a pretty steady income stream.

7. Composition royalties. To be honest, I’m not sure exactly how it works, but my son joined ASCAP and gets checks periodically for royalties on his music compositions. It’s not a lot at this point, but it’s something. And hopefully will grow over time.

8. Busking. Busking in the park can actually bring in a fair amount of money on a good day. I always make a point of putting something in the hat for musicians I hear in the park. During the pandemic in particular, there were some really great musicians out busking on nice days, including my son’s trio on occasion.

This is really helpful and gives a realistic picture of the different ways musicians can earn a living. Teaching, performing, and private events seem especially practical. Thanks for sharing your son’s experience!

[jazzpianodad]

Hi @olivia5 and welcome to the board! It’s been quite an amazing and wonderful journey watching my son’s music career develop, and while he’s now 10 years out of college, it feels like the journey is still in its early stages. Given that I benefited from this board when he was in high school, I like to come back every now and then to provide assurance that a career in music is still possible, even if an uncertain path. As a parent, what makes me the happiest is that my son gets to do what he loves every day.

[Shellg]

Adding to the list:

My son just won an audition and will be starting a career in the US Air Force band. This mom is thrilled for a salary AND benefits and the continued ability to gig, make music, etc on the side!

[jazzpianodad]

That’s fantastic! Congratulations!!