A career in the music industry can open many doors by pushing a person’s versatility and creativeness to the edge. Considered as one of the vibrant career options, the music industry is full of possibilities for the students who don’t want to follow the mass but are interested in to forge a path of their own. However, building a career in the music industry is much tougher than it seems. While dedication and passion are constant factors to focus on for the aspiring music professionals, the challenges thrown within the industry are immense. Unlike the major conception of many individuals, the career in music doesn’t mean the individual will have to remain confined as a music director or musician but he/she can pursue many career perspectives.
This article focuses on various types of careers an individual can opt for if he/she wants to pursue his passion for music.
- Music Producer: Understanding both the creative and commercial side of the music, a music producer develops relationships with both musicians and the record label. By enabling the artists to create and express themselves seamlessly, music producers create an environment that encourages the formation of some legendary music pieces. A producer not only assists an artist’s recording project with indefinite details, but also plays a key role in various other fields such as choosing which material to record, interfacing with the recording engineer, adapting arrangements, balancing the recording budget, influencing mixes, and so on. The key features to focus upon includes learning about foundational audio and music concepts, studying various types of software, researching about the creation of good music along with a good knowledge of engineering and mixing.
- Recording Engineer: Responsible for capturing sound and manipulating it in the studio an audio or recording engineer deals with both analog and digital audio, compressors, microphones, and signal flow, by naturally combining both traditional and tech-savvy recording techniques to record music. The other fields of work include organizing recording sessions and repairing any technical problems when they arise. To become an effective recording engineer, an individual should be well-versed in multiple recording technologies and develop file management skills, fluency in mixing and editing, run recording sessions and take initiative.
- Composer: Writing for the classical music genre along with films, TV shows, and video games, the composers also write and arrange recorded or live music across genres. Regardless of which segment you wish to venture into, you must have a masterful understanding of music theory if you want to emerge as a music composer in your career. Along with the proficiency of playing one or many instruments, you must have the technical capabilities to capture your compositions effectively, either through music notation or recording. Although formal education and experience are keys to success here, composers are proficient in one or many instruments and have a deep understanding of music theory and arrangement. To be known as a great composer lies in understanding the technicalities and mechanics of music on multiple levels.
- Music Teacher: Being a music teacher is quite a dynamic role, as you will be able to teach at a school, a music shop, or teach independently as a private instructor. With a preference to either teach theory or a specific instrument, you’ll also have the freedom to choose your students, each one comes with its own advantages and obstacles. However, your required education and background might depend on choosing your path as a music teacher. For example, teaching in a school might require a few more certifications than going down a self-employed route.
- Musical therapist: Music can be therapeutic with the power of calming the mind of people and helping them cope with difficult and stressful situations. By helping to improve the mental state of others using sound, music therapists work with patients to manage their stress and pain, both emotional and physical, with the power of music. To pursue a career in this direction, you can earn certification through various music therapy programs that not only teach you to apply various techniques to patients in different settings but to also work through private practice at hospitals, mental health agencies, rehab centers, daycare, nursing homes and schools, and many more.
