Hello! Last month we touched on audition techniques and understanding what steps to take to prepare for one and to do in one. However not everyone has to go through that path, and this is something I would like to explain in this month’s post. There are A LOT of different types of musicians and performers, which means that there are quite a few options out there to pretty much suit most of our musical aspirations. So if you’re unsure about where to go next with your career, or even with just your hobby… just keep on reading!
One of the most popular roles in the music industry is the ‘professional’ musician; although this may sound clear enough, this role encapsulates a variety of options. As a professional musician one could be a session player/singer for example. People that choose this path are usually well-versed in most musical genres and can adapt to a variety of different scenarios. Whether it’s studio recording or live performances on cruises, hotels, weddings and all sorts of venues, session musician is a very rewarding job/position and definitely a dynamic one. They are usually put in bands or groups by agencies or third parties, unless they already have their own. Producers and songwriters can fit in this category too. This position requires a lot of self-discipline and scheduling, with usually lots of material to learn in somewhat limited amounts of times. Teamwork and preparations are key words for this role as there isn’t always a lot of rehearsal time before your actual job. Last but not least, session players are expected to have a medium to high musical sheet reading (theory) skills which would tremendously decrease full band rehearsal times or adapting to last minute set list changes. For this type of role you will not necessarily need to have fulfilled a musical course or similar, however it is highly recommended to have one as you will be a lot more prepared for the job as well as more likely to be considered for it in many more scenarios.
Another role must of us are familiar with is the lead singer or solo artist. I don’t want to spend too much time on this one as we all know what they look like and what they do, although a few things important mentioning are: 1) they are NOT the easy role you might think and 2) they can work for a lot of different people and personalities. This role in my opinion is one of the toughest as it revolves completely around your vision, talent and project. Lead singers in a band are usually (not always though) in charge of making executive band decisions, stage performance and layouts, set lists and more. It obviously can vary depending on different bands and scenarios, however it definitely holds the most weight in most situations. As a solo artist on the other hand, they are responsible for pretty much everything going on. Projects, music, visions, execution, promos, social media, etc. They can get PR companies, agencies and labels to help them out with their journey however it can be extremely hard to get a hold of a good contract if they are just starting out or haven’t made an impact yet. This role is also a bit of an investment even though it is considered to be the most rewarding one. For this role you will need great work ethic, be a hustler, grounded and ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B, C AND D.
For singers now, we have a couple of professional and non professional options when it comes to ensemble work. Many singers love being on stage and perform but don’t wan to live in the spotlight, so backing vocals is a fantastic option that opens up to them! This can be extremely rewarding and challenging just as much as the session work mentioned above and requires the same sort of skills. One more option could be choirs or ensembles; they are usually an all-time favourite choice and super rewarding. If you love singing and hanging out with a group of people that share your passion, choirs are the place to be. Requirements can change whether you are trying to do it professionally or not: professional choirs usually require you to have medium to high standard music reading skills (theory) and great aural/harmony skills. On the other hand, non professional choirs are usually much more relaxed and are open to pretty much anyone that is willing to challenge themselves in different ways. Some benefits of being in a choir are: great aural and interpersonal skill development, team work, variety and… good vibes!
Last but certainly not least for musicians, we have the option of casual or aficionado. This is also a very common choice among people that simply have music as a hobby and love keeping it fresh through lessons, open mics, band nights and any birthday party that has a karaoke machine! There’s no need for commitment or expected knowledge or anything at all here and one would mostly deal with learning pieces that they enjoy listening to and playing although there is always room to explore creativity and original material, learn about techniques and different music genres. Music helps people in many different ways, and for me for example, I was a casual before I actually realised I could take this further and plan the steps to make it into a career. So even though this role doesn’t always look or feel the most fulfilling, it could very well be the beginning of a new journey.
I hope this post has helped some of you get a little more insight on a few examples of musicians and performers out there. There are obviously more options out there, but these are the ones I get asked about the most. If you or someone you know is interested in knowing more about any of them, please feel free to get in touch with me via email (on my main website) and I’d be more than happy to have a chat with you. Thanks for your times and see you all next month!