Preparing for a Career in the Music Business: Essential High School Classes
The music industry is a vast and attractive field for many aspiring performers. However, it's important to be well-prepared for its challenges. High school can be a crucial time to lay the foundation for a career in the music business. Here, we discuss the types of classes that can help you build a solid skill set and better prepare for the realities of the industry.
The Path to a Musical Career
If you're passionate about becoming a singer, enrolling in music classes is a great start. Particularly, choir or vocal performance classes can help you refine your singing skills. These courses not only improve your vocal technique but also provide you with performance experience, which is invaluable in the music business.
On the other hand, if your goal is to become a star famous for your music, it's wise to diversify your educational path. Taking courses in math, science, and technical areas can give you a safety net of marketable skills. In case you don't achieve fame in music, acquiring technical and analytical skills can be a valuable fallback option.
Lessons from Other Creative Fields
Many other creative fields, such as acting and dance, offer insights into the ups and downs of these industries. Unfortunately, many aspiring professionals do not manage to achieve their goals. For instance, my own friends' children studied to become famous actors or dancers, yet none of them succeeded in their endeavors.
These experiences highlight the importance of diversification and preparation. The music business is not a straightforward path to fame and success. It's a complex and competitive field that requires resilience and a well-rounded skill set.
Beyond Singing: A Broader Perspective
The term "music business" is vast and generic, encompassing various roles and responsibilities. Depending on your specific interests, you might want to consider classes that align with your goals. For instance, if you're interested in music production, technical courses can be vital. However, if your focus is on the business side of the industry, marketing, and creative writing might be more beneficial.
A major recommendation from my experience and from within the industry is the importance of acquiring marketing skills, especially social media marketing. Understanding how to promote and market your music is crucial in today's digital age. Additionally, taking a simple accounting class can be incredibly useful, as the business side of the music industry often goes beyond just artistic expression.
Additional Insights
Reflecting on my own past experiences, I think that focusing on becoming smart enough to avoid entering the music business might be more practical. This reference to Hunter S. Thompson's quote points to the challenging and often exploitative nature of the music business. It's filled with individuals who may take advantage of aspiring musicians, leading to a potential loss of identity and creative integrity.
For this reason, participating in classes like public speaking and performance can be incredibly beneficial. These skills might seem unrelated to the music business, but they help you develop a strong presence and a confident demeanor, which can be essential in networking and building your career.
Concluding Thoughts
In summary, while pursuing your passion for music through high school classes is a positive step, it's important to be prepared for the challenges ahead. Diversifying your education with marketing, accounting, and public speaking classes can provide you with a well-rounded skill set. Remember, the music business is as much about the music as it is about business savvy and personal resilience.