Fri Sep 10 2010

Popular Musician

Popular musicians play in bands, as solo artists or as session musicians. They might be involved in rock, pop, jazz, country and western, world or easy listening music.

The work involves:

singing or playing one or more musical instruments live on stage or recording music for CDs or web broadcasts
composing or using material written by someone else or performing covers of other musicians' work
practising for many hours at a time and attending regular rehearsals.

To achieve success in this very demanding business, musicians need a combination of outstanding talent, determination and luck. Initially, many popular musicians find it necessary to combine playing music or singing with other jobs.

Popular musicians often work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. Any spare time is often spent learning music, practising or looking for new work. Popular musicians can spend a great deal of time travelling in the UK or abroad.

They work in many different environments, including arts centres, pubs, clubs, restaurants, theatres, hotels and concert halls.

Rates of pay vary widely, depending on the type of work and the experience of the musician. The least a musician can expect to earn when playing a two hour gig is £60. A solo musician on tour could earn between £500 and £2,000 a week, depending on experience. Well-established acts and solo musicians playing at larger venues may earn more.

A popular musician needs:

great musical talent and an individual style
to be able to cope with criticism and rejection
to be prepared to work long and irregular hours
to prepare for performances and spend a lot of time practising
determination and to be very resourceful.

Very few people work as full-time popular musicians in the UK. Almost all musicians combine their work as performers with other jobs. There is no set training for popular musicians and competition is fierce. Organisations such as 'Access to Music', aim to bridge the gap between training and the industry.

Individuals and bands can approach record and music publishing companies with a demo CD of their work. There are also talent competitions. Some musicians make their work available via the web to build a fan-base in the hope of being spotted.

There are many courses and qualifications available in popular music, including BTEC National Diplomas, HNCs/HNDs and degrees. Entry to many of these courses includes an audition.

Career prospects depend on a combination of hard work and good luck. A popular musician may move into the business side of the industry, perhaps working as an entertainment manager or agent, or for a recording or music publishing company.

What is the work like?

Popular musicians play in bands, as solo musicians or as session musicians. They might be involved in rock, pop, jazz, country and western, world or easy listening music.

They sing and/or play one or more musical instruments either live on stage or to record music for CDs or web broadcasts. They may compose their own work, use material written by someone else or perform covers of other musicians' work.

Popular musicians have to work hard at developing their musical skills. They practise for many hours at a time and attend regular rehearsals. They might also include dance and movement as part of their performance.

When performing live, they might play to passers-by in the street or to huge crowds in a stadium, depending on how successful and well-known they become.

It is currently the trend for artists to move away from recording in studios. Many are now recording on home-based equipment, so it can be useful for musicians to have knowledge of computer programs, such as Cubase.

Hours and environment

Popular musicians work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. Any spare time is often spent learning music, practising or looking for new work. When performing, they might have a rehearsal with other musicians during the afternoon, followed by the performance in the evening. Recording work in a studio often takes many hours and frequently continues late into the night.

Popular musicians can spend a great deal of time travelling in the UK or abroad. They need to have their own transport, and if part of a group, they may need a van and possibly a road crew.

Working environments vary greatly, and include arts centres, pubs, clubs, restaurants, theatres, hotels and concert halls. Some large concerts and festivals are held outdoors, in parks, arenas or stately homes. Venues are often noisy.

Salary and other benefits

Rates of pay vary widely and depend on the type of work and the experience of the musician. Only a few people achieve high incomes. Musicians are often self-employed, experiencing gaps between periods of work. Many earn less than the national average wage, often supplementing their income with other work. Individuals and bands will often undertake gigs for little or nothing, simply to gain experience, build up a fan base and get themselves known on the circuit, which can lead to paid work. Some venues only pay bands a nominal fee.

Minimum pay rates are set by the Musicians Union (MU) and Equity (the performers' union). These are only applicable when working for an organisation that has agreed to pay.

For those playing gigs, the least a musician can expect is around £60 for up to two hours.
An album backing singer could get at least £120 for a three-hour session, rising to £350 for three hours for very experienced backing singers.
A solo musician on tour could earn between £500 and £2,000 a week, depending on experience. Well-established acts and solo musicians playing at larger venues may earn more, but often have to meet the touring, crew and equipment costs.

For those appearing in stage or television productions, Equity sets minimum rates for singers in various categories. For example, the rate for performances in London's West End is around £400 a week for eight shows.

For musicians writing their own material, royalties are an additional source of income, if the relevant piece of music or performance has been registered with 'PRS for Music'.

Skills and personal qualities

A popular musician needs to:

have great musical talent and an individual style
be resourceful, independent and determined
be able to cope with criticism and rejection
be prepared to work long and irregular hours
be prepared to spend a lot of time practising
have business, financial or marketing skills
be able to read music (not always essential, but useful for those who want to work as session musicians).

Interests

It is important to:

have a real love of music
enjoy performing to an audience.

Getting in

Very few people work as full-time popular musicians in the UK; most work on a part-time basis. There is intense competition, and many people never achieve their ambition.

Much of the work is based in London and other major cities. Almost all musicians combine their work as a performer with another job.

Networking sites (such as http://www.myspace.com/) have become important for musicians and bands wanting to gain exposure. Recording companies may look through these sites to find new artists.

Entry routes

It is very difficult to make a first break into the music industry as a performer, and there is no set training for popular musicians. Organisations such as 'Access to Music', aim to bridge the gap between training and the industry.

There are many courses and qualifications available in popular music, including:

GCSEs and A levels in music
BTEC qualifications in music, including music, music technology, performing arts (musical) and music practice (performing). Entry to a BTEC National Diploma is usually with four GCSEs (A*-C) or equivalent
a degree in popular music - minimum entry requirements are usually five GCSEs (A*-C) and two A levels, or equivalent
HNC/HND courses or foundation degrees in a wide range of relevant subjects, entry usually with one A level, or equivalent.

Many courses will audition applicants. Entry requirements can vary, so it is best to check with individual institutions.

There are many other full-time and part-time courses. These include:

private music courses in specialist fee-paying performing arts schools and academies
BTEC awards and certificates in music practice and music technology offered at the BRIT School in Croydon, the only UK state-funded academy for the performing arts for students aged 14 to 19 years
popular music courses offered by adult education institutes and local community organisations.

Training

BTEC qualifications in music cover all aspects of the popular music business, including performing, but do not guarantee success as a performer or recording artist.

The content of music degree courses varies widely, and may include performance, composition, the business and management side of the industry, music technology, sound recording and community music. The Institute of Popular Music at the University of Liverpool is the only academic centre in the UK created specifically for the study of popular music at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Popular musicians have to practise regularly to develop their skills and maintain a high level of ability.

Getting on

Career prospects depend on a combination of hard work and good luck. There is no set path for success.

A popular musician may move into the business side of the industry, perhaps working as an entertainment manager or agent, or for a recording or music publishing company. There may be opportunities to work abroad, entertaining holidaymakers on cruises and in holiday resorts.

Further information

Access to Music Ltd, Lionel House, 35 Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN. 0116 242 6888. Website: http://www.accesstomusic.co.uk/

Arts Council England, 14 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3NQ. 0845 300 6200. Website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/

The BRIT School, 60 The Crescent, Croydon CR0 2HN. 020 8665 5242. Website: http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk/

British Recorded Music Industry (BPI), Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JA. 020 7803 1300. Website: http://www.bpi.co.uk/

Creative and Cultural Skills, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3HN. 020 7015 1800. Website: www.creative-choices.co.uk/music

Equity, Guild House, Upper St Martins Lane, London WC2H 9EG. 020 7379 6000. Website: http://www.equity.org.uk/

Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AA. 020 7629 4413. Website: http://www.ism.org/

Institute of Popular Music, School of Music, University of Liverpool, 80 Bedford Street South, Liverpool L69 7WW. 0151 794 3096. Website: www.liv.ac.uk/ipm

Musicians Union, 33 Palfrey Place, London SW8 1PE. 020 7840 5504. Website: http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/

PRS for Music, Copyright House, 29-33 Berners Street, London W1T 3AB. 020 7580 5544. Website: http://www.prsformusic.com/

Magazines/journals

Music Week

The Singer

The Stage

Handsworth Wood Girls´

Visual and Performing Arts Specialist College and Sixth Form Centre