How to Get Started as a Professional Musician

For many, the dream of becoming a professional musician seems insurmountable. The distance between you playing guitar in your bedroom and Metallica rocking it on stage feels impossible to bridge, but the truth is that all the members of Metallica once had the same dream you did. All that stands between you and that kind of success is dedication, hard work, and a little luck.

Getting started as a professional musician isn’t easy, of course; if it was, then everyone would be successful. It’s not just all about the work you put in, but also the gear you have, the connections you make, and the way you exploit opportunities. With the right attitude, you can achieve success. Here’s how you can get started as a professional musician.

Get your gear together

You won’t make it very far in the world of music if you don’t have the right gear. Whatever your instrument, you need to make sure you’ve got something that’s hard-wearing and that’s going to see you through a lot of gigs in succession. It doesn’t have to be an expensive instrument; Jack White famously favors less flashy guitars. It just has to last.

Another consideration you might have to make is PA tech. A lot of venues you play won’t have their own PA systems, so it pays to get one of your own. Astounded offers excellent tech from a range of brands at good prices, so that’s a great place to go if you need a PA. You’ll also find lighting and other effect tech there for more flashy and visually impressive shows.

Have the right attitude

Having the right attitude doesn’t just mean you should want to succeed as a professional musician. It also means you should be optimistic, open to new ideas, and willing to co-operate with your fellow musicians. A pessimistic musician won’t spot important opportunities and won’t know how to exploit them for maximum exposure. They’ll just languor in the small leagues without a hope of making it big.

It’s true that sometimes you’ll feel disillusioned. There will be moments where you just won’t see how things can get any better or how you can achieve success. These are the moments where you most need to stay positive. If you give up, then when you’re feeling better, you’ll curse yourself for not sticking with it. A genuine love of music will see you through even the toughest times.

Know your worth

In this day and age, getting a paid gig as a musician can feel nigh-on impossible. Many venues will offer to pay you “with exposure”; this phenomenon is so widespread it’s become a meme among the performing community. As the meme says, you can’t feed your family with exposure, so if you’re going to become a professional musician then you should know your worth.

Naturally, not every gig will offer a paid opportunity. Some gigs are for charity, while others are simply at venues that don’t have the money to pay musicians. Think very carefully about whether the latter gigs are worth it. If the venue won’t stretch to paying you, do they really want or deserve you? Some free opportunities are worth it and some aren’t, so choose carefully.

Get good management staff

You won’t really need to start thinking about your management until you’re getting a steady stream of regular bookings. If you’ve got the money and the inclination, it’s a good idea to hire management as early as you can, the reason being that they’ll take care of the business side while you concentrate on bringing your A-game to every gig. Not every musician can afford this, though, and it’s fine if you can’t.

That said, not all managers are created equal. Some are unscrupulous and are only in it for your money. It’s not always easy to tell when a manager isn’t the right choice, but telltale signs include a higher fee than is reasonable, a manager who’s difficult to reach, and a lack of communication. This will vary on a case-by-case basis, but try to make sure your management is looking out for you.

Play badly-attended gigs

If you and your band rock up at the venue and there are only three or four people in the audience, don’t despair. Musicians should always play every show as though they’re playing to a packed-out stadium. Of course, this could leave a bad taste in your mouth, but it’s important to give it everything you’ve got even if you don’t feel like you should.

Think about it. Even though there are only three or four people in that audience, one of them could be a talent scout or know someone who is. If you throw your chance to play the show of your life, they won’t like what they see. Every single show could be your breakout, so don’t stop giving it your all even for a second. Success doesn’t always come to those who work hard, but those who succeed usually have this ethic.

Be empathetic with your band

Sometimes, your band members will have problems with your operation. When this happens, sit down and talk to them. Don’t foster intra-band feuds that fester and never get resolved. Take a moment to find out what their grievances are and whether the band can address them. If not, you can take appropriate steps then, but don’t give up before you’ve tried.

Your band members are people just like you. They get tired. They struggle with the day-to-day pressures of music. They might even have day jobs outside of performance. Stress, tiredness, and emotion can all have an effect on whether the band is operating at peak performance. Good bands who stay together do so because they communicate.