
Music As Your Day Job: What They Don't Tell You
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
-
Narrated by:
-
By:
About this listen
Send us a text
Considering a leap into the world of full-time music? This candid breakdown explores what's rarely discussed about the professional musician's journey. The financial reality hits hard - one month bringing in $5,000, the next barely reaching $2,000. This unpredictability forms the foundation of the musician's experience, requiring careful budgeting and planning that many aren't prepared for when first starting out.
The seasonal nature of musical work creates unique challenges. During holidays, your calendar overflows with opportunities, while months like January can leave you scrambling for gigs. This feast-or-famine cycle means sacrificing personal events and often missing occasions others take for granted. Perhaps most sobering is the insurance situation - unlike traditional employment, musicians must navigate the complicated world of self-provided healthcare coverage, adding another layer of complexity to an already demanding career path.
But amidst these challenges lie remarkable rewards. The freedom to manage your own time proves invaluable for creative professionals. As a business owner in essence, you'll benefit from tax advantages most employees never experience. Your talent can transport you across countries and cultures, with travel expenses covered by your performances. Most significantly, there's an unmatched fulfillment in watching your gift sustain you financially while bringing joy to others. If you're weighing this career transition, consider whether these benefits outweigh the very real challenges of the musical life. Have you been contemplating this path? What aspect of the full-time musician's life appeals to you most - or concerns you deeply?