http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed For the Perpetuation of Musical Creativity Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:03:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223&cpage=1#comment-740 chappell Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:17:56 +0000 http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223#comment-740 Firstly, I must voice my disagreement with the above answerer - I am a young professional composer myself, and have met or heard speak at least a hundred composers, and to the best of my knowledge, NONE of them are "independently wealthy", and VERY FEW regularly work in other professions to make money. Composers earn their money from writing on commission, and sales of sheet music and recordings, but primarily from teaching composition lessons, privately and at music schools. And composers work extremely hard to balance the time spent earning money with the time spent writing music. Please do not spread a ridiculous and disrespectful idea that composers don't need to earn money, or that they pursue music "as a hobby" and other professions for work. I apologize for the tirade! But in fact, it should go some way towards explaining what the average composer's life is like. Writing the music is what we do best, what we can't live without - everything else takes a lot of hard work. The above answerer was exactly right in saying that one must get pieces performed - having the most fantastic piece available for sale means nothing to the market if they haven't heard the piece. The way to get pieces performed is to develop working relationships, and friendships, with musicians. As many as you can, in as many different places as you can. And do not be selfish about it - if they can promote your music by playing it, is there something you could do for them as well, on an individual basis? Everything else which is possible - selling scores to publishers, selling recordings, receiving commissions, receiving teaching jobs - can only happen after a composer is well-connected to musicians. So get to it, and have patience, and good luck! Firstly, I must voice my disagreement with the above answerer – I am a young professional composer myself, and have met or heard speak at least a hundred composers, and to the best of my knowledge, NONE of them are “independently wealthy”, and VERY FEW regularly work in other professions to make money. Composers earn their money from writing on commission, and sales of sheet music and recordings, but primarily from teaching composition lessons, privately and at music schools. And composers work extremely hard to balance the time spent earning money with the time spent writing music. Please do not spread a ridiculous and disrespectful idea that composers don’t need to earn money, or that they pursue music “as a hobby” and other professions for work.
I apologize for the tirade! But in fact, it should go some way towards explaining what the average composer’s life is like. Writing the music is what we do best, what we can’t live without – everything else takes a lot of hard work. The above answerer was exactly right in saying that one must get pieces performed – having the most fantastic piece available for sale means nothing to the market if they haven’t heard the piece.
The way to get pieces performed is to develop working relationships, and friendships, with musicians. As many as you can, in as many different places as you can. And do not be selfish about it – if they can promote your music by playing it, is there something you could do for them as well, on an individual basis?
Everything else which is possible – selling scores to publishers, selling recordings, receiving commissions, receiving teaching jobs – can only happen after a composer is well-connected to musicians. So get to it, and have patience, and good luck!

]]> http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223&cpage=1#comment-739 Lisha Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:22:04 +0000 http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223#comment-739 there are several ways... but one of the easiest ways these days is to go through MySpace. there are several ways… but one of the easiest ways these days is to go through MySpace.

]]> http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223&cpage=1#comment-738 kirun Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:38:30 +0000 http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223#comment-738 http://magnatune.com/ ( they will choose who to sell )http://www.lulu.com/en/products/digital_… ( self-published ) http://magnatune.com/ ( they will choose who to sell )http://www.lulu.com/en/products/digital_… ( self-published )

]]> http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223&cpage=1#comment-737 Anonymous Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:12:12 +0000 http://alwaysbemusic.com/?p=223#comment-737 The approach to each type of market is different. What kind of music does this person write and arrange? Musician, composer, teacher. The approach to each type of market is different. What kind of music does this person write and arrange?
Musician, composer, teacher.

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