Do you want a career or do you want a hobby? A hobby is something that takes time and your money but only gives back enjoyment for yourself and maybe some others. Hobbies are a great way to relax and spend time with a fellow musicians and fans and add great quality to life. Everyone should have a hobby and music is the best I know. But some musicians think their music is a career when it is not. What is the defining line? A career puts food on the table. It doesn't have to be a lot, or even your main bread winner, but until it pays you back you are not a professional musician and you do not have a career.
Of course, I can hear the justifications right now: I'm in it for the love. The money ruins it all. Music Business is an oxymoron. That is one stance, and if that is yours then maybe the hobby approach will give the least frustration while bringing the most enjoyment. Music as a hobby is certainly a less troublesome path and can be very fulfilling. There are many easier and more certain ways to make money than a music career.
Looking at a current example, is Susan Boyle a hobbyist, or a professional musician? Well, she certainly has a good set of pipes and is now world famous. Her Youtube videos of her blowing away the judges and audience of "Britain's Got Talent" earlier this year were watched over 200 million times. But where is the career? The sale of the song she sang 'I Dreamed A Dream' from Les Miserables has increase exponentially, but without her singing it. The sales of Les Mis tickets have seen a resurgence, but without her in a paying roll. In comparison, the previous Youtube champion, Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend", generated over 120 million views and was estimated at giving the Canadian singer at least $2 Million in revenue.(1) Susan has had more than her 15 minutes of fame, Youtube is basking in the hits, and "Britain's Got Talent" is certainly profiting from the Cinderella type story, but where is Susan Boyle's cut? And since coming in second place in the reality show, where is her career?
You don't need to be greedy, but if you are serious about making some money and subsequently a career from your music, what are you going to do when opportunity strikes? When you have your 15 minutes of fame, will you bask in the glory or think of your music like a business and ask yourself, how can I build a career from this moment in the spotlight?
Sources:
(1)http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/04/susan-boyle-nev/
