Best Day Jobs for Gigging Musicians

When it comes to being an active musician who gigs a lot, and most especially a musician who tours, it can be hard finding a day-job that actually allows you to take the time off that you need. Being able to actually support yourself through playing music is an extremely difficult task and a very unstable source of income. Yet trying to find a day-job that allows you the flexibility needed to constantly take time off (especially extended periods of time for touring) can be difficult. Here is a list of some of the best day jobs for gigging musicians.

Music Instructor
One of the best ways to make money as a musician is to teach lessons on the instrument(s) you play. By becoming a music instructor you can set your own schedule and the pay can be really good. For multi-instrumentalists this is a great gig because you can build a large clientele by offering lessons on multiple instruments. Even better, it is an amazing way to advance and hone your own skills. There are a few ways you can go about becoming a music instructor; you can seek out local shops who host instructors to teach at their shop or you can offer your services independently by hosting lessons at your house or doing lessons at the student's house. Unfortunately this isn't the most stable of jobs and students tend to cancel lessons, often, which can cut big into your expected income. One great thing is it isn't too hard to teach music lessons while also working another part-time job for stable income.

Average Pay - $30-$50/hr
Financial Stability - Low
Time Flexibility - High
Benefits Offered - None
Experience Needed - Knowledge of music theory, musical ability, and ability to teach/communicate ideas
Degree/Certificate Needed - No
Notes - You will need lots of patience, especially with younger kids

Food Industry
This is probably the most common job for musicians and other 'starving artists' types (painters, photographers, actors, etc). There are all types of jobs including dishwasher, cook, host, server, bartender, busser, caterer, bar-back, and probably even more than that but the main thing about it all is almost anyone can do it with no experience. Turnover in the food industry is high so a lot of restaurants are willing to work around musicians schedules to ensure they can fully staff their establishment. Pay can vary depending on the position you get, the type of restaurant, and where it's located but in my experience it is often higher on average for front-of-house workers (servers, hosts, bartenders), usually hovering around $10-$12/hr on average, as opposed to the back-of-house which gets about $8-$10/hr on average. FOH workers get most of their income from tips so their pay isn't as stable as BOH workers who see most pay through their hourly wages and usually doesn't see any tips. Be ready for long and tedious hours in this industry as well as being around lots of hot and sharp objects that can quickly end your ability to play your instrument properly.

Average Pay - $8-$12/hr
Financial Stability - Medium
Time Flexibility - Medium
Benefits Offered - Rarely
Experience Needed - No
Degree/Certificate Needed - No
Notes - High turnover

Temp Jobs
The whole concept of temporary jobs works perfectly for musicians because you don't have a full-time commitment for each job and can work around your schedule. Temp jobs were originally used as a way to get one's foot in the door in a new career but are now also used by people who do work that is seasonal or unstable, such as musicians. This article is a great source of information if you'd like to go this route. The jobs offered vary widely as well as the pay, usually ranging from $10-$30/hr depending on the field, and is utilized by almost every field of industry. Different temp agencies will work with different industries and you can usually find a wide array of agencies in every city but expect a small percentage of each paycheck to go to the agency. Some temp agencies even offer benefit programs and employee perks. You can also look through classifieds (print and online) or visit businesses during peak-months and see if they are looking for additional seasonal staff.

Average Pay - $10-$30/hr
Financial Stability - Medium
Time Flexibility - High
Benefits Offered - Sometimes
Experience Needed - Yes, but varies by field
Degree/Certificate Needed - Varies
Notes -

Freelance
Freelance work can vary, usually requires lots of experience, and is sometimes just as an unstable as trying to make a living as a musician, so even if you choose to freelance along with doing music you most likely will need another income source as well. The best examples of freelance work are Graphic Design, Videography, and Photography. You'll need to be very entrepreneurial to go this route and should understand how to sell yourself and your service. Pay varies per project and is often based on your experience, availability, quality of work, and competition in the area. If you are just building your portfolio then expect to give some great deals but be realistic about what you charge, most freelance work requires a lot of overhead expenses (often in the form of expensive equipment and software) so don't lowball yourself because you'll end up costing yourself money with little return.

Average Pay - Varies per project
Financial Stability - Low
Time Flexibility - High
Benefits Offered - No
Experience Needed - Yes
Degree/Certificate Needed - No but it would allow you to charge a higher fee
Notes - Usually requires an initial investment in expensive equipment and software.

Hired Musician

What I mean by a hired musician is a musician who is paid a steady wage to play their instrument. This is often in the form of being a studio musician but can also include live music as well. This is similar to freelance work in that you have to be somewhat entrepreneurial and build a network of contacts who hire musicians, selling yourself and your talent to build that network. Pay varies greatly from project to project and each job often requires you to have some equipment although being a gigging musician already it is likely you will have what you need, so overhead costs aren't that bad.

Average Pay - Varies per project
Financial Stability - Low
Time Flexibility - High
Benefits Offered - No
Experience Needed - Yes
Degree/Certificate Needed - No, but some projects may recommend it
Notes - An advanced knowledge of Music Theory will help you find more jobs

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When it comes to finding a day-job as a musician there are a few things that will help you manage your work schedule and band schedule. First, decide on a specific time(s) each week in which you will practice, this way you can let your employer know these times aren't available for your work schedule. Secondly, make sure all shows are booked 2-3 months in advance. Most company policies require employees to put in time-off 2-3 weeks in advance, so by booking way ahead of time you allow your employer more than enough time to work around your schedule. Lastly, make a calendar of your own with all your work 'black-out' dates and those of your bandmates, that way it is a quick reference while booking shows to see what dates aren't doable. 

4 Ways Bands Can Build a Local Fanbase

One of the most essential things a band needs in order to become successful is a fanbase. For bands starting out it is very difficult task to build their fanbase and it can often seem extremely daunting. While it is all and good that your close friends and family support you, the most important fanbase consists of people who you don't know. But how do you reach and build that fanbase? Here are 4 ways bands can build their local fanbase.

1. Brand Visibility - Every band has a brand, whether they work on it or not, and this brand is the
band's identity. From the band logo and songs to the way the band interacts at shows and on social media, they are all part of a band's brand. To become successful a band needs to not only create this brand to best represent them but they must make their brand visible and rememberable. Merchandise is one of the best ways to get your brand out because it allows your current fans to advertise for you, especially items that can be given away for free such as stickers, buttons, or posters. Just getting your band's image and name out there is very important because you are establishing your brand recognition or as many in the industry say; creating a buzz.


2. Perform - Performing live is an essential part to building your fanbase as well as making your current fanbase even stronger. An amazing show can turn someone who just enjoys your music into a loyal fan who passionately promotes your music to their friends. Be sure to book smart and not overplay certain areas, if you play an area too much it can burn out your audience and start to hurt your draw. Some of the best places to play are venues and bars in small towns near your area, small towns often appreciate live bands more because they get less of them and it is often one of the only things to do in town that night.


3. Network - One of the most important things in all business fields is networking. As the saying goes "It's not what you know, but who you know" and in the music industry it especially rings true. Luckily there are a ton of ways to network in the music industry and with the right attitude and drive you can easily open yourself up to many opportunities you may have never thought about. Shows are some of the best places to network in the music industry and it's also a great way to show support to fellow musicians. Just by going out and showing support for other local bands you are helping your local scene thrive which helps you in long-run. Always have a business card handy as well, it not only looks professional but makes it easier for people to remember and contact you.

4. Promote - The most important tool in a bands arsenal is their ability to promote themselves. You need to promote everything you do; shows, tours, cd releases, videos, etc. In fact the three previous items in this list can be considered as promotional tactics but they are only a small part of promoting. Every industry and field relies on promotion, even massive internationally recognized brands and companies constantly focus on promotions and marketing, so for a local band it should be no different. Think outside the box and try to find innovative ways to promote your music and brand but most importantly come up with a game plan. Set goals for yourselves and make sure everyone is on the same page, a team effort is your best shot. Don't limit yourselves because sometimes crazy things may work like when Alien Ant Farm crashed a Justin Timberlake concert, Gay Pride parade, and the BET Awards. Some artists go other routes such as Lil' Dicky who paid to get professional music videos made of his songs and released a new one every few weeks.

It takes a long time and a lot of work to build up a fanbase but with the right attitude and a lot of ambition you may end up surprising yourself.

Be sure to check out similar articles;
7 Things Bands Do To Make Promotors Frustrated
8 Things Every Musician Should Know About Music Publishing
6 Reasons Why It's Important For Bands To Tour

6 Reasons Why It's Important For Bands To Tour

For many bands who are reaching their year anniversaries they are beginning to look at getting on the road and playing in new cities. When it comes to touring there seems to be two major factors that hold bands back; Money and Scheduling. While touring can be fun sometimes it's better to start out by doing weekend warriors.

What is a weekend warrior? It is when a band goes on the road for only a few days to to play a handful of shows in new cities. It is a great way to save money and help ease scheduling for the band. Often the scheduling problem is due to the band member's need to work, which ties back into the money problems. As many who are reading this know first hand, most tours for local bands don't really make money.

While there is not a lot of money in hitting the road, even for weekend warriors, there is a lot of good that comes from it.

1. Learn To Handle Each Other - One thing I hear all the time is being in a band is exactly like being in a relationship, which I find to be quite true. In some ways it is even harder because not only are there more people to deal with in a band you also have to click musically with each other. One big step in seeing if your band can handle being a band is by going on the road with each other, just like when a couple moves in together. You are with everyone in a van or car the majority of the day having to drive through areas that aren't familiar and once you get to the venue you have to work together to unload the van and setup any merch. Even on a weekend warrior you will quickly find which members will butt heads and who has a short temper.

2. Musical Development - When bands begin to tour they start to come across a lot more music of varying styles. Not only do musicians hear lots of new music but they often befriend members of the bands making the music. It is very common for musicians to talk about what they do with each other, sometimes they might even teach each other how to play their songs. One of the best ways to learn new styles and techniques is by getting out and about, which is best done by going on the road.

3. Set Development - Just like musical development, set development is very important. By traveling and seeing the different ways bands from across the country develop their sets you may find new things you want to try in your own band. By having a well thought out set bands can draw in the crowd and create a better energy overall. Whether it be how to intro your band, how to transition between songs, ways to have audience interaction and involvement, or just how to end your set, developing a guideline for your set makes it much more interesting.

4. Networking - When it comes to being in a band you want to always be networking because you never know who might have an amazing opportunity for you. Learn how to meet new people and make an impact so they remember you. Just by playing the venue you are already establishing a relationship with the people who are there that night. So even on a weekend warrior where you play two shows in a three day period, that is a lot of new connections. Always be sure to talk to everyone while on tour, and I mean everyone. Cashiers, waiters, fast food employees, or random people on the street…just learn how to start a conversation with a stranger. You never know who can be a new fan or a big help to your musical career.

5. Learn If Being In A Band Is For You- When it comes to being in a professional band the majority of your time will be spent on the road. If you spend a week on the road and don't really enjoy yourself then you might want to rethink whether this is for you. Just imagine then spending 30 days doing that…or even 8 months of every year. On the reverse, after one week on the road you may find yourself dreaming of being back on the road meeting new people and partying in cities you've never heard of before.

6. Expand Your Fan-Base - This is one of the most obvious reasons to go on tour...get new fans. Just like networking you need to learn how to start talking to people and learn how to introduce your music to them, even if you aren't at a show. When on tour always have CD sampler to hand out for free and have something to instantly sample your songs (easy to do with a smart phone). New fans are lurking everywhere, you just need to make a connection 

What a Life

As usual, things haven't moved along much. The band I drum for decided not to become anything more than local, so I began picking up my indie project again and finally have more connections. Thanks to booking again and doing stuff with my band I have much more to work with in terms of local connections. As well, I feel like I now understand the basic steps for a band to really get out there in a big way. Hopefully I can pull together a group to get this indie project ready and then let it take off.