Music Jobs – How to Find the Right Career in Music

Virtually everyone has some connection to music whether it is an instrument played during childhood, participating in a singing group, playing in a band, or just listening to it at home or in your vehicle. Music is a part of almost everyone’s lives and the good news is that those who wish to work in the field of music do not have to be accomplished musicians or singers. The music industry is filled with those who love music and want to be a part of it even if they have little to no inherent talent in the field themselves.

Here are at least ten careers in the music industry, many of which do not require a specific music skill or talent, although having one does not hurt.

Music Arranger

An arranger is similar to a composer, except that you do not create original music. Instead, you take music and decide what instruments will play each part. It is true that many composers are by nature arrangers and thus the two mix together quite often.

Music Critic

You get to go to concerts, write about the music, and even interview the artists which makes for a great job. However, there is not a lot of pay in being a music journalist, but you do get to be in the middle of the music scene and attend great concerts.

Disc Jockey

Perhaps the most obvious career for someone who loves to listen and play music, disc jockeys are in high demand. This is especially true for those who have an engaging personality and impressive knowledge of music. With a little talent and a lot of hard work, you might become famous as well. Think about Kaskade or DeadMou5, these guys all started at the bottom and worked their way up.

Music Engineer / Mixer

Sometimes called a sound or recording engineer, they make sure that the recording equipment is working properly and that what is being recorded is clean and coherent. If you like electronics and the nuts and bolts of why things work the way they do, this may be a great path for you.

Music Librarian

They catalog the collection of sheet music, recordings, and the like so they can recommend samples to music directors or disc jockeys to use for their projects like TV commercials, movies or playlists.

Promoter

A concert promoter is on the business end of music which means they must know the numbers to be successful. From ticket sales to weather conditions to marketing to the right audience, a successful concert promoter keeps their eye on the bottom line, but the potential is virtually unlimited in terms of where they can go in the business.

Studio Musician

You’ll need to excel in a musical instrument, but you can earn a considerable salary if you are good, versatile, and can play live.

Talent Scout

You can be an A&R rep for a major label and all you need is an ear for good music that has potential to reach a specific market of paying customers. When you consider that Simon Cowell, the man behind “American Idol”, was a talent scout for labels like BMG and EMI before forming his own record label long before creating television shows, you can see that the potential may be unlimited in this field.

Music Teacher

Here, you get to instruct children, teens, and adults how to play music and appreciate the finer qualities of songwriting, instrument playing and music theory. This is perhaps the best profession for those who love music and want to pass that passion along to others.

Music Therapist

A music therapist uses different methods that include composing, singing, and playing instruments to create a proper treatment for their patients.  A music therapist can make a good living working with hospitals, elderly homes and individuals who could use the power of music to heal.

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