I’m a musician in Chicago, so I have the benefit of a vibrant industry with relatively low cost of living (compared to LA or NYC). My revenue is essentially 3 streams - education, gigs, and composition/ director work.
I have several private students and after school group lessons that make up 45% of my income. Gigs with my band and as a “hired gun” make up 25%, and working with theaters and film producers makes up 30%, and that sector is growing fast.
Since I have experience as an improv comedian and know my way around a keyboard, I’ve been able to get booked for improv shows to underscore the cast with either the right vibe for the scene or some sound effects that hit with good timing. Those pay anywhere between $50-$200 for an hour set. Those are the most fun too.
Side note: my degree was in political science, and I had a decade in marketing and sales roles. I just loved learning new instruments, writing music, and watching music theory YouTube videos. I’m not the best musician, but among musicians I’m the best comedian, and among comedians I’m the best musician.
I was a band kid in school, so I do have a lot of mileage there, but I played horns and learned guitar on the side.
The thing with music directing is you need to be proficient in piano. I’m not a pianist, but when my friend invited me to shadow him at a show just a year and a half ago, I told him “I can read a keyboard but I don’t really play piano”. He said “neither did I”.
It’s amazing how fast you can learn an instrument when you are paid to do so. I can now play most any jazz standard and through teaching small children the basics, I’m able to sorta sight read melodies.
What industry are you freelancing on?
I’m a musician in Chicago, so I have the benefit of a vibrant industry with relatively low cost of living (compared to LA or NYC). My revenue is essentially 3 streams - education, gigs, and composition/ director work.
I have several private students and after school group lessons that make up 45% of my income. Gigs with my band and as a “hired gun” make up 25%, and working with theaters and film producers makes up 30%, and that sector is growing fast.
Since I have experience as an improv comedian and know my way around a keyboard, I’ve been able to get booked for improv shows to underscore the cast with either the right vibe for the scene or some sound effects that hit with good timing. Those pay anywhere between $50-$200 for an hour set. Those are the most fun too.
Side note: my degree was in political science, and I had a decade in marketing and sales roles. I just loved learning new instruments, writing music, and watching music theory YouTube videos. I’m not the best musician, but among musicians I’m the best comedian, and among comedians I’m the best musician.
How long did you learn instruments before you made this your full-time?
I was a band kid in school, so I do have a lot of mileage there, but I played horns and learned guitar on the side.
The thing with music directing is you need to be proficient in piano. I’m not a pianist, but when my friend invited me to shadow him at a show just a year and a half ago, I told him “I can read a keyboard but I don’t really play piano”. He said “neither did I”.
It’s amazing how fast you can learn an instrument when you are paid to do so. I can now play most any jazz standard and through teaching small children the basics, I’m able to sorta sight read melodies.