The fact that you’re on this website suggests that you want to make money from your music. Right?
Though there are several ways to make money as a musician, you may not be able to make money from all of them. Some of them require you to already have a good network within the music industry, some require you have a huge fan following. But then everybody has to start from zero right?
Here are 50 different ways to make money or to make a living out of your music. you will definitely be able to make money using at least few of these methods.
Please help add to this list by leaving a comment below.
- Get a job as a musician on a Cruise Ship
- Become a Music Teacher, apply for positions in schools
- Become a music librarian
- Join the Military Band, you can serve your country and also play music
- Consider a career in Music Therapy, where you use music to help others.
- Work as a Studio Musician, approach studios and try to become their regular stand-in session musician.
- Write for a music publication or guest post on popular music websites
- Act as a spokesperson for a major music company testifying their products or services.
- Start your own private music teaching business
- Teach Music Lessons for a Record/Music Store, as a freelancer or on their payroll
- Speak / Teach about music at conferences/workshops, perform educational concerts and workshops at area preschools, middle schools and high schools for a fee.
- Substitute for a Music Teacher, you’ll need to sign-up to be a substitute teacher with schools.
- Teach Music Online, you’ll need a basic computer setup with webcam
- Create an Instructional digital guide (eBook) or video course on how to play a musical instrument
- Sell sheet music, quite profitable if you play a not-so-popular musical instrument.
- Transcribe music, for music that’s never been noted, or take music intended for one instrument and write it for another music instrument
- Earn print rights for your Sheet Music, whenever its published/reproduced
- Build a referral relationship with your local music store where you can commissions
- Re-sell your (or your students) old music instruments online (Ebay and Craigslist)
- Play a Gig, you’ll need to network to get regular gigs and probably perform the first ones for Free
- Perform in Restaurants, Hotels, Weddings, or even big Department Stores (to set the mood for their patrons)
- Play at a Church, lot of churches don’t have a problem with it, though some musicians don’t feel comfortable with it
- Play for an Orchestra or Ensemble, you’ll need to be really good at your instrument and also be able to sight-read
- Perform as a stand-in for other bands, in case one of their band members can’t make a gig
- Take part in Songwriting Contests
- Host a Summer Concert Series or Music Festival where you, along with other musicians, each take a weekend day to perform.
- Perform on a Street Corner with a Tip Jar (Busking), not all musicians there are homeless (or near-homeless), example Max Judelson
- Don’t reject acting altogether, the film and theater industry need real musicians to fill certain roles or even lead roles if you also have the looks to match.
- Sell Merch(andise) – Sell t-shirts, posters, CDs, music instruments, etc. after each live shows.
- Sell Video Recordings of your live performances and sell it to fans who couldn’t attend. Package it up into a DVD for further distribution.
- Win an ASCAP Plus Award: The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) gives away substantial cash awards every year. If you qualify, why not give this a shot?
Click here to read more ways you can make money as a musician.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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