Vision

Toolbox Theory / Teaching Notes

Clarify your Vision

Introduction

Music is a vast subject with many different ways in which you can enjoy it and also many ways in which you can have a career. It will help enormously in your career if you have a clear vision of what music means to you and clear understanding as to why you are involved with music and where you would like to take it.
To help you clarify your vision,we have identified what we call profiles in music, which shows how people use their musical skills in their lives and in their careers.
We have listed a number of theses below and we believe that your vision will probably fit under one or more of these headings

Profiles in Music

Making the big time

The nature of music is such that every generation produces musical stars who become wealthy and famous. These then become the role models which young people aspire to be. It is very good to have these role models but what many young people fail to understand is how few musicians actually go on to become famous and wealthy from their musical activities. They also fail to understand the time and commitment that is necessary to operate at the highest levels in the music industry. Finally, they do not appreciate the degree of luck it is necessary in order to arrive there.
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Working as a musician

This can be in your spare time, as a part-time job or as a full-time career and might involve: –

Playing traditional music.
Playing in a classical ensemble.
Playing in an orchestra
Being a session musician.
Being a member of a country band/folk band/rock band

While many people, and in particular students, have an ambition to have a career in music, there are only a limited number of people who succeed in doing this. And the number who are able to do it full-time are an even smaller number again. This is true whether you are a classically trained musician working in an Orchestra or a traditional musician playing gigs at the week-end.
To certain extent having a career in music is probably about being in the right place at the right time.

When deciding about a career in music, is important that you appreciate that whatever career you adopt you're going to need to generate sufficient income to sustain yourself and maybe a family.
Many people approach this challenge in a number of different ways. They realise that a career in music is problematic and accordingly they have a second career that they can fall back on should the need arise.
If they are reasonably successful they decide that they will be involved in music on a part-time basis and if they are very successful they then move on to career on a full time basis.

Teaching music

This can be in the university, a music school or on a freelance basis. Music seems to be an essential part of our being and as a result, there will always be students interested in learning music and there were always be opportunities for teaching music. The teaching of art, music is probably the single biggest employer across the whole of the music industry
There are many ways of teaching music to others but all of them involve a new set of skills. They require that you know your subjects and your instruments so well that you are in a position to pass on the knowledge of it to others. You also need teaching skills which are over and above your skills as a musician and probably can only be acquired in an educational establishment. musicians
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Becoming a Music Teacher

Being a songwriter or a composer

Many musicians initially become involved in music in order to play. However, there always has been and always will be a proportion of musicians who are interested in creating new music either as composers or song writers.
However, there are very few making a full-time living from this. Accordingly this needs an approach which is similar to those working as musicians. You write your songs you compose your music and you see to what extent you can make it commercially viable but otherwise you continue with your career as a musician or your second choice career to pay the bills..
Songwriter Composer

Playing a support role in musical activities

There are many different ways of supporting musical activities, including the following: –

As a manager.
As a recording engineer.
A music publisher.
As a roadie
As a session musician.
As a booking agent
And many more

This can be on a professional or non-professional bases and involves a communal approach to music

This brings a social or community dimension to the playing of your music. It also requires that you be a team player. When you play on your own you're only answerable to yourself. However, when you play with others there are a whole new set of disciplines which come into play as you give up some of your own individuality for the sake of the group as a whole.

Orchestra Choir

Playing for enjoyment

Learning to play your chosen instrument well

Many people like playing an instrument but have no interest in playing it in public. However, they derive great satisfaction from playing the instrument be it the piano or violin or whatever for themselves at home.

Playing to entertain your family and friends

This adds a new dimension to your playing is so far as you are prepared to play to a limited audience. However, it does pose fresh challenges for you and brings in the whole area of public performance, admittedly in a gentle way.
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Toolbox Link

The Toolbox contains a self-assessment questionnaire which will enable you to clarify what you would like to do music and how motivated you are. Link

Explore the music and non-music skills that you will need for success in music. Link