Music is an art, a form of expressing yourself which resonates with others in a way that makes one feel good about themselves or life’s situations. The power of music is so enormous even political figures, brands, and different organizations make use of music in shaping their narrative.
In this article, we’ll take you through the process of becoming a Musician in South Africa.
How to Become a Musician in South Africa
Music is a very dynamic field giving access to people without considering their career path or educational qualification because it is a field with respect for artistic and musically talented individuals.
Although talent is the first step, many musicians are taken through rigorous processes to learn all the necessary requirements pivotal to their success in the music industry.
If you would love to travel around the world, work on projects that people can resonate with, enjoy making sounds or like to entertain people then music is a viable career path for you. There are many genres one can specialize in as a musician this includes but is not limited to
- Rock Music
- Electronic Music
- Soul Music/ R&B
- Funk
- Country Music
- Reggae
- Afro Pop
- Hip-Pop
- Classical Music
- Alternate sounds
Now that you have an idea of what music entails here are some steps you should take in realizing your dreams of becoming a musician.
Attend Voice Training/Musical Instrument Classes
Like I specified earlier music is an art, it’s either you have a good voice or can play a type of musical instrument. But there are many people like you at the beginning of the ladder with a good voice or basic knowledge of an instrument. What sets you apart is how well you have mastered the different techniques applied in making different sounds or voice pitches.
Voice training/ Musical instrument classes are offered by music academy or trainers offering private tutoring for those who are restricted by their jobs and other life commitments.
Get a Music Education
If you have a clear mind about pursuing a career in music, then attending a musical school or studying music/performing arts in the university would equip you with all relevant knowledge in this field.
The many genres in music make it necessary to attend a music school. For example, if you would like to be a classical musician, then it is important for you to attend a school that gives better exposure and knowledge on the theories, best practices, and pitches used.
Network and Make Friends with Like-Minded People
The music industry is very rewarding in terms of remuneration and career satisfaction but, starting out requires you to effectively network with people in your field for more experience and knowledge about your craft.
Sometimes from networking with like-minded individuals, you would get the privilege of working on collaborative songs with big artists in the industry. Such collaborations can help to improve acceptance of your music and increase your musical audience.
Avoid Stage Fright
Working as a musician requires you to perform in front of large crowds and gatherings during different events or when you go on tour across the country. A great way I would recommend is putting yourself in front of crowds by performing at little gatherings such as school parties, dinner, award ceremonies, or pubs in your local area.
Get a Good Team
Do not think you can continue this race to stardom by yourself. as you begin to gain popularity amongst your audience, I would advise you invest in getting a great team and manager whose job would be to handle bookings and regular conversations with your fans.
A good way to get a great team is by getting signed to record labels who manage all activities of their artists provided they are still signed to their label.
Increase Visibility and Use Streaming Platforms
When waiting for your big break, there are many ways to generate income from your music. First, you should make sure you are visible on all social media platforms, then you can work with influencers or online promoters to push people towards streaming your music on platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Itunes e.t.c
Conclusion
The journey of becoming a successful musician is one that requires time, patience, and consistent practice. If you do not want to be an artist who fades out within a short time frame, you may need to experiment a lot by working with different producers and also make sure your fans get access to your music by taking advantage of good PR and marketing.
