All of us, well a predominant number of us associate our various feelings with different kinds of music. Irrespective of what that feeling or emotion is, music has always been an element that sticks with us. The music we hear, indubitable, is created by skilled hands; A musician, a music producer, a music composer, an artist; anything they may be referred to as. Amongst us music lovers are people who aspire to become a music producer and create music. Someone who truly appreciates music, understands its variations, constantly works on coming up with musical art – Does this sound like you? Then you are at the right place because in this blog we intend to do a deep dive into understanding music education, music production as a career and what you need to do to get where you see yourself. Keep reading further to know more.
Types of Music Careers
1) Performance
A career in ‘performance’ includes musicians, singers, instrumentalists and artists who perform live or in audio/music studios. They may also work as solo artists who amy may be part of bands, choirs or an orchestra. To be able to take up a career as a performer, it takes years of practice and honing your skills. One must keep working on their talent and must stay dedicated to their craft irrespective of what technique they may integrate; playing an instrument, trying a vocal technique etc.
2) Music Production
Creating music = Music production. There are multiple people who are involved in music production that play a pivotal role in recording, editing and mixing music; they may be producers, voice artists, singers, sound engineers, mixers, etc. Music production is and has always been intrinsically and fundamentally associated with creating music. Music producers also work with artists to help them make their musical visions a reality. Being a music producer requires one to also know technical skills, understanding the depth and meaning of various sounds and they must also know the fundamentals of music theory.
3) Music Education
For music lovers and those passionate about creating music, learning is not the only way to approach your dream. You can learn and also teach what you have learned to fellow music lovers and students. If you find yourself or see yourself as a teacher; Music Education is a spectrum within the music industry that you can be in. Music teachers and instructors work at colleges, school, extracurricular classes and private institutions. As an aspiring music teacher, one must also master communication skills, patience and must also the inside – out of music theory and fundamentals.
4) Music Therapy
As we had mentioned in the blog’s introduction, we associate music with our various emotions and feelings. It has the capability to heal and soothe our minds. Today, music is being widely used to heal minds through therapy. To be professional in the psychology spectrum and use music to help people you must have sound knowledge of psychology and the integration of music with it for therapy techniques. Music therapists use music for various purposes as a therapeutic tool for cognitive and emotional and even physical challenges and difficulties.
5) Music Business
The creative sector of music exists with the existence of the business side of music. We have often seen in Hollywood movies how a rising musician is often promoted and represented by a team of managers, agents and popular record labels. They are executives who work towards assisting and helping artists promote their music, augment their careers, be part of networking events, introduce them to leading artists in the industry and get them lucrative music gigs. To work in the music business one must have strong networking and communication skills, know the basics and fundamentals of business and must know the music market from the ground up.
Career Paths and Specialization in Music Production
Music production is a dynamic and vibrant spectrum within the music industry and it is n’ limited to creating music. There are multiple avenues you can explore, such as:
| Career Paths | Career Paths |
|---|---|
| Music Producer | Instrument Technician |
| Digital Audio Editor | Audio Technician |
| Copyist | Recording Studio Manager |
| Lyricist | Radio Broadcast Engineer |
| Studio Designer | Sound Mixer |
| A & R Coordinator | Radio Promotion Manager |
| Tour Publicist | Foley Artist |
| Audio-Visual Technician | Music Editor for Movies |
| Music Teacher or Instructor | Audio Engineer |
| Commercial Production | Artist Career |
Essential Skills and Responsibilities of a Music Producer
To become a music producer, you must know and master both technical skills and soft skills. Soft skills include being creative, effective communication, being open to collaborations and knowing how to effectively manage time. You must also be open to adopting trends and new updates within the industry as the field of music is constantly changing and evolving. To be more specific these skills would be:
- Robust knowledge of the theory and fundamentals of music productions
- Expertise in using various music production softwares
- Great communications, networking and community building skills
- Appreciation and observance for music and being able to make critical decisions
Some of the key responsibilities of a music producer are:
- Collaborating with various artist to bring their artistic and musical visions to life
- Working on arranging and producing music tracks
- Guiding, instructing and giving cues to music artists during recording sessions
- Overseeing and managing the entire process involved in mixing and mastering music
Types of Music Degrees
Skills and experiences are imperative; it is, however, an added advantage to pursue an educational program in music and its likes. A music degree equips you to become proficient in music production and provides you with the required knowledge to excel in the industry. Your music degree teaches you:
- Music History
- Music Composition
- Music Theory
- Audio Engineering
- Sound Editing
- Digital Audio Softwares
- Laws and Ethics in the Recording Industry
- Understanding Copyright Law
- Artist and Product Management
- Marketing and Advertising
- Basics of the Business Side of Music
Below are a few music degrees and programs that you can pursue:
1) Bachelor’s Degree in Music
A four – year program that is the very stepping stone of your educational journey in music. You get to learn music theory, history and performance. Music aspirants and students can also choose areas to specialize in.
2) Master’s Degree in Music
An advanced program you can pursue after your Bachelor’s in Music. Master’s degrees in music offers a curriculum that teaches you the knowledge required based on the specialization you have chosen. Master’s can augment your skill set and will be an added advantage on your resume. You can also pursue opportunities in research and teaching in institutes.
3) Specialized Programs in Music
Specialized programs are for those who are interested in specific sectors within the music industry like music production, music teaching and music therapy as well. You get hands – on – experience on learning how to educate students, deal with clients etc. A music production program may teach you advanced sound engineering while a music therapy program teaches you how to integrate music with therapeutic techniques and healing methods.
While choosing a music program, it is important to consider factors such as faculty, opportunities for better experiences, internship and apprenticeship chances, facilities and curriculum. You must also choose programs and institutions based on your career goals and future visions of advancements.
Key Tips for Building a Successful Career in Music
- Seeking opportunities for professional and personal development
- Learning to keep up with trends and other advancements in the industry
- Attending industry conferences and networking
- Collaborating with different artists
- Creating and maintaining a personal brand and also making use of social media
- Pursuing additional educational programs or certifications that may help you hone your skills
- Exploring newer avenues within the industry
- Staying informed by accessing reputable music publications and magazines
Conclusion
If you have reached till here and you are still reading, now you know how you can get amazing opportunities in the music industry and how fascinating it can be. Irrespective of the field of specialization you choose, being open to learning, unlearning, exploring and adapting can take you a long way. Here’s to a fulfilling career in music.
You can read more about AAFT’s School of Music – Programs here.