You’ll find here a list of some of the options and opportunities for musicians.
It’s a follow-up to “Hobby or Hustle? The messy business of music and money”.
The possibilities go way beyond “classical or pop music?” or “what instrument do you play?”
Each item on the list uses a different range of skills and talents.
Music in stages and ages
At different stages of our lives, some kinds of music making suit us better than others.
When you have young children, going on tour with a band is out of the question, for most folk.
But children also bring with them many musical opportunities. I found being part of the creative headspace of childhood learning, alongside my sons, brought all sorts of new, unforseen musical experiences. Including shared music making with other adults who were also in this stage of life.
For another example: Many musicians (but not all!) reach a point when playing music at midnight just doesn’t seem fun anymore, especially not the next day.
Is it a hobby or hustle?
I’ve assembled this list with the intention of stimulating some creative thinking.
Some items could equally be music-related hobbies. But you’ll probably still need to engage with some aspects of self-employment, to deal with expenses, venues and other practicalities. How this works will depend on the music genre and the tax system of the country you’re resident in.
Even music teaching has many more possibilities than a few decades ago. That’s why I’ve included it in at least 14 items on this list. Maybe there’s some overlap. But each kind of teaching is a specialty in its own right.
Which items draw your attention? What feels interesting?
75 musical possibilities …
- Music teaching – in person
- Music teaching – online
- Group teaching
- Individual lessons
- Teaching adults
- Teaching children
- Workshops – in person and online
- Courses – in person and online
- Membership platforms
- Teaching instruments in schools
- Teaching music as a subject, in schools
- Teaching at tertiary level
- Music in early childhood centres – daycare and kindergarten
- Various music pedagogy specialties, e.g. Orff Schulwerk; Kodaly; Suzuki
- Performing
- Busking
- Songwriting
- Lyricist
- Composer
- Music shop work
- Online music supplies
- Instrument repairs
- Instrument making
- Instrument sales
- Instrument hiring
- Music-related businesses – large and small; traditional and innovative
- Publishing company
- Musician and group management
- Event management
- Work for community arts organization
- Work for arts funding organization/ non-profit foundation
- Sound engineering for live events
- Sound engineering – recording/ producing
- Directing and producing music videos
- Music for films, video, TV, adverts and other marketing materials
- Photographing musicians and music events
- Music journalism
- Online content writing
- Books
- Music research – ethnographic and social
- Music history research
- Music for young babies and parents/ caregivers
- Antenatal/ birth music
- Music for dance events of many kinds
- Music therapy – qualified and registered
- Music as expressive therapy generally
- Music for mental health clients – individuals and groups
- Specific mental health music modalities, e.g. the Bonny Method
- Music for special needs populations – many kinds
- Music for dementia groups and individuals
- Music for older populations
- Drumming groups
- Rhythm therapy
- Music in hospices and with people approaching end of life – thanatology
- Singing teachers – individuals and groups
- Singing workshops
- Leaders of choirs and singing groups and choruses
- Community music leading and facilitating
- Sound healing
- Music for plant medicine ceremonies
- Music for shamanic/ animist journeying and healing
- Music for meditation
- Healing modalities that address the needs of musicians, e.g. The Alexander Technique.
- Music in trauma healing
- Music for spiritual/ religious practices and events – many different varieties
- Music specialties of traditional cultures – many different kinds
- Music for ceremonies and celebrations
- Musicals – directing, performing, etc
- Music for plays
- Music plus business skills, e.g. financial management of music businesses
- Music venue management
- Music promotional/ marketing skills
- Music plus engineering/ software skills – developing new audio products and platforms
- Music plus architecture – designing venues for sound
- Music plus law – navigating the music publishing and copyright systems. And hopefully updating them!
Are you listening?
How does this land? How many of these music-related opportunities have you experienced?
Do you know of some that I haven’t listed here?
Each of us has to find our own relationship with music.
Some of these opportunities will be right for you. And some won’t.
Here’s what I know for sure:
Music is a powerful energy shifting medium.
Every single soul-driven musician has a unique role to play in creating positive change in the world. Including you.
When folks with music in their soul are getting burned out and discouraged, there’s something going astray.
And I love to help with that. Because I’ve been there myself. More than once.
More reading…
Hobby or hustle? The messy business of music and money
Six steps to spiritual practice
Would you like to hear more from me?
Join my email list and I’ll send you a copy of my ebook, 12 Creativity Hacks for Musicians.
It’s full of my favourite tips for regaining your feeling of playfulness.
Here’s where you sign up: 12 Creativity Hacks for Musicians.