As much as you want as a musician, to have music to be your full-time career, you still have bills to pay, and starting it doesn’t mean getting big automatically. Besides, you need funds for new instruments, the recording studio, your website, and the list just goes on.
Summing up your bills plus all the other expenses that you may need when starting means you need all the jobs that you can get. Getting a day job doesn't necessarily mean quitting your plans of making music full time though. It’s an option that you can get to save for the career that you've been wanting for a long time.
But the question now is, how can you work and continue making music at the same time? What's the best job that will provide you that opportunity?
There may be a lot of available jobs out there but you need to look for that day job that will give you flexibility when it comes to your schedule so you'd also have time to do your music. And of course, the right income so you still have something to save after paying for your bills.
Now wait, does that job even exist? What if we tell you that yes do that and here they are, the best day jobs for starting musicians like you.
Music Teacher- This is one of the most popular day job choices for musicians. Aside from this is relatable as this has something to do with music, it provides you the flexibility when it comes to schedules and the number of students that you can take. People will also pay more than enough to get music lessons so you’d have money to save for probably your new instrument.
Freelance Writer- This may come easy for you especially if you’re fond of writing good music. When possible, you can write album or concert reviews or even tips for fellow musicians. You can also try to reach out to publications to check if you can submit contributions. Aside from earning, this will broaden your understanding in the music industry and this will lead you to connect to more people.
Wedding DJ - As engaging the audience by playing their favorite music at a wedding would be your primary job, this is not something that's from what you will be doing in reality. In your concerts, you must engage your audience and you keep them entertained. These are the same things that you will do as a Wedding DJ. Plus, you’ll get paid too.
Online English Teacher- This has nothing to do with music but this gives you the flexibility when it comes to schedules so you’d have more time for your music. This also pays more and remember you need all the money that you can get to save for that full-time career in the future.
Photographer - If you have a great eye on photography and know how to market your talent, chances are you might earn big as a photographer. Plus you'd have the chance to meet different people from the music industry too.
Graphic Designer - Aside from the flexible schedule and good income that you're going to get from this job, you can use the experiences that you can get in boosting your brand in the future. May it be a logo or the design for your merch in case you want to be a musician - entrepreneur one day, nothing will ever go to waste.
There are still a lot of job opportunities out there that you can do as a starting musician, the key is to still be able to do it without sacrificing your dream to have a full-time career as a musician. To quote Bob Dylan, “A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between, he does what he wants to do.” So if you want a musician, just do it. No excuses.