- Some music industry jobs require you to help at performances.concert image by margouillat photo from Fotolia.com
Choosing the right career in the music industry can mean the difference between enjoying your job and regretting your decision. Although most jobs in the music industry are stressful and demanding, they can offer an exciting atmosphere where monotony doesn't exist. There are many different careers to choose from. Some involve offering advice, while other positions will take you on the road with the artist, supporting him while he performs. - One of the most important advisers to artists, a personal manager, is the liaison between the musical artist and his record company, publicist, lawyer, accountant, talent agent and fans. Personal management is demanding, but can be fun and lucrative if you are looking for a job that works closely with the artist. Personal managers do not need a degree or certificate. Since PMs are responsible for offering career advice, a few years of experience in the music industry should be under their belt. The best experience for future personal managers is acquired by working for an established and successful personal manager. PMs are paid via commission, and make 15 to 20 percent of the artist's gross income, according to personal manager, Vince Pileggi of Music, Inc.
- For artists who use guitars during performances, a guitar technician is helpful for smaller shows, and essential for large ones. Guitar strings break and instruments go out of tune. This could spell disaster during a performance without a guitar technician to solve the problem. Guitar techs travel with the artist on tour and are responsible for caring for the guitars and setting them up at venues prior to the performance. Techs must also remain on or near the stage to exchange guitars, tune them or change strings as needed. If there is a technical problem with one of the guitars, a good guitar technician should know how to fix it and have the proper equipment to accomplish the task. Although no degree is needed, a deep understanding of guitars and how they function is required.
- A talent agent is responsible for booking performances for the artist. She coordinates with venues to secure shows at times acceptable to the artist. She is also responsible for putting together tours and securing the mode of transportation, which can be a difficult task because of the location of venues and their varying availability. No degree is needed to be a talent agent; however, most talent agents acquire their position by first working for established talent agents. Talent agents are paid via commission, and take 10 percent of the gross income from each performance.
- Artist and repertoire (A&R) are record label executives that seek out new talent. Once they have found a music artist interested in signing a record contract, they mediate contract negotiations and become the liaison between the record label and the artist. When problems arise, it is the responsibility of the A&R to solve the problems or make the decision to end the contract with the artist. Although a college degree is not required, most major record labels require their A&R staff to hold a college degree and have experience working in the music industry.
- The best music producers have sound engineering experience.Detail Of Sound Mixer image by bayu harsa from Fotolia.com
A music producer plays a central role in the production of a record. Producers are hired by the record label in agreement with the artist, or directly by the artist. Working together with the recording artist, a producer advises on sound, lyrics, instruments and music. No degree is required to be a music producer, but knowledge of music and a wide variety of instruments is absolutely necessary. Producers should also understand how to use digital audio workstations, such as Pro Tools, and should have experience recording music. A good producer will have previous experience as a sound engineer.
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