Even if you don't know a clef from a coda, you can work your passion for music into a career.
Music plays a profound part in our lives. It expresses our happiness, soothes our sadness and tells us how to feel as the soundtrack plays. Whether you're a music artist or more of a music appreciator, how do you land work involving this topic you love?
If you think the successful path to careers in music requires musical talent or working directly in the music industry, think again. Some jobs in the music industry definitely do require talent, but you can be creative about combining your love of music with your next job. Here are 10 ideas:
A&R Rep/Talent Scout
To be an A&R rep for a major label, your ear counts for more than your voice or ability to keep a beat. You'd be responsible for scouting talent and bringing up-and-coming artists to your label. Think Simon Cowell (who scouted talent for EMI, BMG and his own label before appearing on television), but working the club scene more than holding court on prime-time TV.
Composer/Arranger
Composers create original music, and arrangers take existing music and decide which parts each instrument will play. Many composers are also arrangers.
Concert Promoter
Concert promoters need a keen business sense to be successful. They think of everything having to do with the concert -- from ticket sales and marketing to audience and weather -- while keeping an eye on the bottom line.
Disc Jockey
Why just play tunes for yourself when you can play them for an audience while earning money? Not to mention that you get to entertain listeners with your effervescent personality and impress them with your musical knowledge. You may even become a celeb in your own right.
Music Journalist/Critic
What can get you closer to the rock stars you look up to than following their work, interviewing them and writing about them?
Music Librarian
A music librarian catalogs a collection of musical recordings, sheet music, etc., and then recommends samples for a disc jockey or film's music director to use.
Music Teacher
Music teachers instruct people of all ages in how to play and appreciate music. This position lets you pass on your passion for music to others.
Music Therapist
Using many methods, from singing and composing to rhythmic movement or playing instruments, music therapists incorporate melody and rhythm into their patients' treatment.
Sound/Recording Engineer
Where do music and technology meet? In the mixing room, where the sound/recording engineer reigns. It is this person's job to monitor the editing equipment and make sure everything sounds as it should.
Studio Musician
Studio musicians are the ones who made us fall in love with music in the first place. They play instruments for a live audience or in the studio, solo or as part of a group, like a band or orchestra.
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