Up until the end of the 20th Century, university music students were generally expected to settle on one instrument, major/emphasis, and musical genre, and work almost exclusively on that. The idea was to choose your career path and stick to it, trying to be the absolute best in your area. There were enough job opportunities for specialists, as long as you were really good at it. The climate has changed, however, as paying gigs have become more and more scarce. In fact, it almost seems like this trend has reversed itself, and the specialists are sitting at home, while those who can wear many hats are the ones making a living.I entered college while this transition was beginning. I can’t honestly say I was savvy enough to see the writing on the wall. However, since I was naturally inclined to be interested in a number of things, it turned out to be the perfect environment for me. It took the colleges and universities a while to catch up to this phenomenon, though. So, I learned what I could in college, and completed my education “in the streets.”
There is still a place for the specialists, but symphonies, opera companies, and similar institutions are struggling, and each time one goes bankrupt, there is more and more competition for fewer jobs. The versatile musician is ultimately more employable in the modern economy.
I use myself as an example. Over the years, I have made a living as a vocalist, guitarist and bassist, and I have even played keyboards on gigs. I have played or sung classical, jazz, rock, R&B, and hip-hop. I’ve made money as a live sound engineer, a composer, and arranger. I’ve directed choirs, orchestras, and vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles. I’ve produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered numerous recordings. And, of course, my degrees have allowed me to make a living teaching music as well.
My case may be a bit extreme, as not everyone has my style of ADD, coupled with a willingness/desire to learn new skills. However, I have many friends and colleagues who are making their living in a similar way. It’s not enough to just be excellent at your main instrument anymore. You must continue to practice your instrument and keep getting better, but you also have to accept the fact that there are thousands of people who are better at it than you. Having a diverse set of skills will often give you an edge that they don’t have.
When I received my undergraduate degree, I had one main goal: to be able to make a living in music without ever having to deliver pizzas again. Within a few years, I had achieved this goal, but it was only due to my versatility.
Still, there are a few downsides, which every aspiring musician should be aware of. If you are playing live gigs, you may have to learn songs that you would never listen to. Sometimes, it will seem like everyone in the room is your boss, which can be difficult if you have problems with authority. Sleep can often be only a luxury, and you will put quite a few miles on your car.
As for me, I have always been motivated by an overwhelming love of music, and the desire to communicate with the world through music. While these issues have bothered me from time to time, I’m ultimately happy to be doing what I love most, and to be getting paid for it. And that makes me very fortunate indeed!
There is still a place for the specialists, but symphonies, opera companies, and similar institutions are struggling, and each time one goes bankrupt, there is more and more competition for fewer jobs. The versatile musician is ultimately more employable in the modern economy.
I use myself as an example. Over the years, I have made a living as a vocalist, guitarist and bassist, and I have even played keyboards on gigs. I have played or sung classical, jazz, rock, R&B, and hip-hop. I’ve made money as a live sound engineer, a composer, and arranger. I’ve directed choirs, orchestras, and vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles. I’ve produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered numerous recordings. And, of course, my degrees have allowed me to make a living teaching music as well.
My case may be a bit extreme, as not everyone has my style of ADD, coupled with a willingness/desire to learn new skills. However, I have many friends and colleagues who are making their living in a similar way. It’s not enough to just be excellent at your main instrument anymore. You must continue to practice your instrument and keep getting better, but you also have to accept the fact that there are thousands of people who are better at it than you. Having a diverse set of skills will often give you an edge that they don’t have.
When I received my undergraduate degree, I had one main goal: to be able to make a living in music without ever having to deliver pizzas again. Within a few years, I had achieved this goal, but it was only due to my versatility.
Still, there are a few downsides, which every aspiring musician should be aware of. If you are playing live gigs, you may have to learn songs that you would never listen to. Sometimes, it will seem like everyone in the room is your boss, which can be difficult if you have problems with authority. Sleep can often be only a luxury, and you will put quite a few miles on your car.
As for me, I have always been motivated by an overwhelming love of music, and the desire to communicate with the world through music. While these issues have bothered me from time to time, I’m ultimately happy to be doing what I love most, and to be getting paid for it. And that makes me very fortunate indeed!