Pop Musician
What is the work like?
As a pop musician you would perform as part of a band, as a session musician or as a solo artist. You might be involved in various styles of music from rock, pop or indie to jazz, folk or country and western.
You would spend your time:
- practicing and rehearsing
- playing in front of an audience
- composing songs and music to perform
- performing covers of other musicians' work
- taking part in recording sessions (for your own band or for session work)
- promoting your act in various ways, such as contacting agents, record companies and radio stations, setting up a website and making videos and demo CDs
- arranging gigs and tours (or dealing with a manager or agent who will arrange this for you).
At the start of your career you would often combine music with other types of work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any qualifications to be a pop musician, but you will need a good level of musical ability. It is not essential to know how to read music, but it can be an advantage, especially if you want to work as a session musician.Many musicians start learning an instrument from an early age, although you can take part-time classes in at many colleges, adult education centres, private music teachers and performing arts schools. Some of these may offer Rockschool popular music graded exams in:
- guitar
- bass
- drums
- popular piano
- vocals.
You may find it useful to take a college or university course in popular music or music technology, although this is not essential. Relevant qualifications include BTEC National Certificates/Diplomas, BTEC HNC/HNDs or degrees. You may need to pass an audition to get onto a course – check with course providers for exact entry requirements.
You should also gain as much practical experience as possible by playing with bands and doing gigs.
When you are trying to break into the music business, you can approach record companies with a ‘demo’ tape or CD of your music. Companies receive thousands of demos so yours will need to stand out. See the British Phonographic Institute (BPI) and Showcase websites for details of record companies.
You could also enter talent competitions, or showcase your music on a music networking website.
What further training and development can I do?
As a professional musician, you will continue to develop your skills throughout your career. You may find it helpful to learn how to use home and studio recording equipment – courses are available at colleges around the UK. You can also take part-time advanced-level classes with private music teachers.
Rockschool and Access to Music jointly offer certificates and diplomas for performing musicians, vocal artists and creative music producers. If you are unemployed, you may be able to find training through New Deal for Musicians – contact your local Jobcentre Plus for more information on this.
You may find it useful to join the Musicians' Union, for networking and professional development opportunities, and legal and careers advice.
If you are a freelance musician, you could also benefit from some training in business skills such as tax and accounts for self-employed people. The Musicians' Union can advise members on this.
Where can I go for more information?
Evergreen House2-4 King Street
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW1 3RZ
Tel: 0845 460 4747
London
W1C 1AA
Tel: 020 7629 4413
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
Upper St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9EG
Tel: 020 7379 6000
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7JA
Tel: 020 7803 1300
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
See the Musicians' Union, Equity (the performers' union) and the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) websites for recommended rates of pay for session musicians and live performers.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your hours can vary. Live performances would mainly be in the evenings and at weekends, but you would also spend time rehearsing and looking for new work. Studio recording can run until late at night.
You may perform full-time, or part-time alongside another job. You might play one-off gigs, regular weekly or monthly slots, or you could be booked for a whole season if touring as a session musician or appearing at a holiday park.
You could play in a wide range of places, from pubs, clubs, larger music venues and recording studios, to theatres, hotels, restaurants and outdoor music festivals. You may spend a lot of time travelling to venues, and would be expected to have your own instruments and equipment.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- musical ability and talent
- creativity
- to enjoy performing to an audience
- confidence and an individual style
- motivation and determination
- willingness to work long and irregular hours and spend time practicing
- to enjoy being part of a team
- the ability to accept criticism and rejection
- some business, financial or marketing skills.
What opportunities are there?
You could play and record with your own band, or you could perform in musicals, hotels, holiday centres and cruise ships, or as a session musician for a touring act or a record company.
You would usually be self-employed. Ongoing full-time work is fairly rare, so you would often play part-time and do other work when not performing. You will need talent, determination and luck to make a successful career.
Some jobs and auditions are advertised in the music and entertainment press and websites, although it is also very common to use networking and contacts to get work. You could also use a manager or agent to find you work and negotiate contracts.
With experience, you could choose to go into the business side of music, as a manager, producer or working for a record company.
You may find the following links useful for music industry advice on finding work and getting signed:
BBC OneMusic
Music Week
Music Advice Guide
The Stage
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