How do you make money as a music composer?

I've become very interested in composition and thoroughly enjoy it. I'm still undecided in my major but and seriously considering composition.

[dj]

Hi, Grant:

How do you make money as a music composer? Very interesting question.

The truth is that most traditional avenues have disappeared. Unlike the Tin Pan Alley era of a century ago, nobody pays anyone to sit and write songs these days. Money from CD (or vinyl) sales is nearly non-existent. The occasional grant to compose a piece of "serious" music isn't going to pay the mortgage (and, if you follow the news, even as liberal a country as Holland has slashed funding for the arts to near zero). Broadway musicals these days rarely include original scores, rather are simply collections of old radio hits. And no teenager is willing to actually pay for their iPod music anymore.

So, how do you make money in music? You must be as creative about your career as you are with your music. Find places and ways outside of the traditional venues for your music.

Mount Webcasts to interest people in your music, followed by direct sales on the web. Organize performances of your music at malls, with CDs sales on site. Direct placement of your music with local (non-programmed) radio stations. Get your music into the hands of a member of the regional orchestra and enlist their aid in getting a commission. Work with a local or regional theatre in creating your mega-musical and then use that to get it into the hands of a play publisher like Samuel French.

Unfortunately, that means as much leg work in developing a career as brain-work in creating your music, but that's the situation in the 21st century.

It's easy to be an overnight success: all it takes is a life-time of dedication and sacrifice.

David

[Mark W]

Hello Grant,

As you plan your future, perhaps with music composing as a goal, consider how composing music might an important part of your career but not the entirety of your career. For example, David, who wisely answered your question, has developed a career in musical theater. Or, maybe you enjoy teaching music, and use composing as part of your music teaching career, such as to create piano pieces for your students.

The chances for a musician to make a living just writing music are a good bit less than the chances of an pianist to making a living performing the piano-- and there are very few of those such pianists.

If you enjoy writing music, then enjoy writing music. You can do that regardless of what your career is. And many excellent composers have done that.

Cheers
-- Mark