Piggy backing off of last weeks post I wanted to share how the way you view music never stays the same, and attempting to make it in this music industry is never easy. Once leaving school we all have the same dilemma, “what’s next?” Although everyone can struggle to find a career, and often change it, some career paths are more laid out and certain than others. Usually if you go to school to become an electrician, you find a job doing electrical work. For musicians it is not always that easy. Turning a passion into a career is a lot of work and can make you question everything. And sometimes your path leads to a different purpose than you thought. Here are the three main things I have learned about this industry since I left University.
No one is going to spoon feed you a music career. There is no perfect formula for a music career and no one does just one thing. Most musicians have a part time job during the day, teach lessons in the evening and gig at night. That’s just the reality of being in this industry. But no one is going to hand you your road map on how you are going to fill your days and make money. I found CRASH by combining two things I love, drumming and engaging kids in music, while also navigating a market that would be willing to pay for it. It’s not easy and it takes time, but if you want to make music for a living you are going to have to get creative and go get it.
Network Network Network!!! No conversation is a bad one. Never turn down the opportunity to meet someone. Always invite people to coffee, AND PAY. Always make time for people who need your help or advice. Music is a family and everyone knows everyone. Anytime you can share your love of music with someone you grow your family and increase the chances of being called on in the future. I cannot tell you how many times a $2 cup of coffee has made me $200 a year later.
Being a consistent role model for a student is more important than teaching them how to drum. I love working with kids and love seeing them light up when they create something new or finally get that rudiment that has been choking them up, but I often worry about a students progress or if we are doing too much fun and not enough learning (obviously I know now that fun IS learning). I connect with the kids, let them create, hear about their day and try to improve them as musicians. I have recieved many compliments from parents, but rarely are they about how excited they are that their child’s paradiddles are up to 120bpm. Parents want their kids to belong, be creative and step out of their comfort zone. Music is often the conduit for that, but not always the most important destination.
I have learned so many things in starting CRASH and working with kids. It has been such an interesting path that led me here, one that has been made easy by those who have given me the advice I needed to start a business in the music and education industries. If you or anyone every has any questions, please give me the opportunity to pay it forward!
Hilary