When most people think of working in rock their minds jump straight to the idea of playing in a band. The dream of headlining a festival or a concert is not an opportunity which many would turn up, as it illustrates the highest possible level of success which musicians can achieve. It is not, however, a reliable pursuit.
Now, we’re not suggesting giving up on anyone’s dreams of accomplishing such a feat, but for performers and engineers alike, there are other ways to make ends meet. Build experience, build a potential fanbase, and a future in the industry will be all the more likely for it.
Where to Turn
The best way to make music is to follow the genre you love. This is the case for being on stage, and this is also how it should be done in of other professional work. Follow that which you are most positive about, if at all possible, and you’ll be infinitely more likely to gain traction.
YouTube
As an entertainment medium, YouTube operates on a scale than no single television network could ever match. The important part here is to note that since it is built primarily on a system of amateurs, there is always going to be a call for original music.
This is because amateurs can rarely if ever afford the rights to play existing popular music, with YouTube’s automated copyright system being vast and uncompromising.
Because of these factors, many channels are looking for personalised music which can suit the mood they wish to convey. Typically this comes in the form of intro music, taken from indie bands or individual performers. Finding the right matchup here can take some time, but it can also give your music a far wider reach than you think.
Gaming
Just as with YouTube, the growing world of smaller indie games has similarly offered a wide range of opportunities for musicians to make their mark. One of the most common examples of this is becoming involved with a small game’s soundtrack. There is an enormous quantity of postings for jobs like this all over the internet, with sites like Upwork offering reliable avenues of pursuit.
Experience within this realm can also be found within smaller and self-contained opportunities like those of online casino games. Services like the NetBet online casino are constantly developing new slots, such as those based on Vikings, Pillars of Asgard, and Jimi Hendrix. This is especially great for musicians who take pride in their flexibility, as adapting old music and creating entirely new tracks are both incredibly important.
Persistence is the Key
Just as with any other job in the musical world, the competition out there is fierce. While some musicians might be lucky enough to strike gold within their first couple of attempts, far more often finding success will take a consistent and dedicated effort.
That said, success in this frontier is cumulative, with each step you take making the next one easier, and making your path forward more easily defined. These new avenues of work are only growing in this modern age, so don’t underestimate what they can do, and consider following them as a means to building what might eventually become your legacy.
