By Guest, Brian Player
photo: socialindiemusicians.com
Here in the UK we are facing huge changes in areas where people have worked to earn a living…being paid for their efforts on a scale that reflects their skill and the demand for what they do. If one is particularly skilled and there is a high demand for those premium skill levels, monetary reward could be achieved, it isn’t so much that way today.
The music industry is a prime example of this. Large sums of money could be commanded by the most popular, and selling products, such as records or CDs, helped artists sell their efforts across a wide audience.
So, what has changed to reduce the amount of money changing hands? What has changed the impact of the reward enjoyed by those working in music?
Technology has revolutionised the recording, production, and distribution of music. Never has it been easier, or cheaper, for a working musician to produce a professional standard product and distribute it to those that will help he or she become better known. Whilst this is a great positive for those with talent and ability, it is also a negative because we are seeing an explosion of artists coming onto the scene, all trying to gain a piece of the action.
Secondly, the range of further education courses offering aspiring musicians the chance to learn and hone their skills in music has never been higher or more popular.
The result here is a huge increase in the number of talented graduates attempting to find a place in the industry or going out on the road.
The third area is those who, whilst practicing a career in some other industry, use early retirement or work part-time as an opportunity to indulge in their musical passion.
Some other indirect areas are also experiencing change:
There has been a significant increase in the number of venues and events where musicians can showcase their talent. These places are run by enthusiastic volunteers who see putting on a show as an opportunity to share talent they have discovered with others. These promoters are very often also part-time or retirees who are taking the opportunity to indulge in a passion.
While offering more opportunities for musicians, the very high number of events has meant that audience numbers cannot be relied upon and so entry charges have declined, or in many cases, event entry is free.
The overall effect of these factors is less money being generated and many in or associated with the industry providing service for free.
Areas not affected by these changes are artistic development and experimentation. The more the merrier and those who like to try new things are very well served by technology and opportunity.
The area affected most is for those hoping to generate an income and make a living. There are still high-ticket priced events attracting thousands of attendees but much less money changing hands at the lower end in clubs and small events were playing for free is rapidly becoming the norm.
Maybe, as has always been the case, our musicians need to find a path to the very top if they are to achieve commercial success. So, perhaps overall, things aren’t so very different. Music has always been a struggle. It’s just the challenges are that different.
---Brian Player October 2018
The music industry is a prime example of this. Large sums of money could be commanded by the most popular, and selling products, such as records or CDs, helped artists sell their efforts across a wide audience.
So, what has changed to reduce the amount of money changing hands? What has changed the impact of the reward enjoyed by those working in music?
Technology has revolutionised the recording, production, and distribution of music. Never has it been easier, or cheaper, for a working musician to produce a professional standard product and distribute it to those that will help he or she become better known. Whilst this is a great positive for those with talent and ability, it is also a negative because we are seeing an explosion of artists coming onto the scene, all trying to gain a piece of the action.
Secondly, the range of further education courses offering aspiring musicians the chance to learn and hone their skills in music has never been higher or more popular.
The result here is a huge increase in the number of talented graduates attempting to find a place in the industry or going out on the road.
The third area is those who, whilst practicing a career in some other industry, use early retirement or work part-time as an opportunity to indulge in their musical passion.
Some other indirect areas are also experiencing change:
There has been a significant increase in the number of venues and events where musicians can showcase their talent. These places are run by enthusiastic volunteers who see putting on a show as an opportunity to share talent they have discovered with others. These promoters are very often also part-time or retirees who are taking the opportunity to indulge in a passion.
While offering more opportunities for musicians, the very high number of events has meant that audience numbers cannot be relied upon and so entry charges have declined, or in many cases, event entry is free.
The overall effect of these factors is less money being generated and many in or associated with the industry providing service for free.
Areas not affected by these changes are artistic development and experimentation. The more the merrier and those who like to try new things are very well served by technology and opportunity.
The area affected most is for those hoping to generate an income and make a living. There are still high-ticket priced events attracting thousands of attendees but much less money changing hands at the lower end in clubs and small events were playing for free is rapidly becoming the norm.
Maybe, as has always been the case, our musicians need to find a path to the very top if they are to achieve commercial success. So, perhaps overall, things aren’t so very different. Music has always been a struggle. It’s just the challenges are that different.
---Brian Player October 2018
Brian Player is a well-known radio show host of The Acoustic Café on Wey Valley Radio in Alton, UK. He is devoted to sharing the talents of the independent musician/singer/songwriter.
Great post, Brian. Thanks for shedding light on what is happening in the UK. I hope you will do many more posts for Originality by Design. Glad you're on board.
ReplyDeleteBrian, as always, talks a lot of sense. Just recently I had SIX gigs I wanted to go to on the same night, and there are normally clashes, but audiences don't grow at the same rate. it's quite normal to consider 40 people a good turn out these days.
ReplyDeleteDn't forget to tune in to Brain's show 20:00 GMT on Tuesday, he has some very good guests.
https://www.weyvalleyradio.uk/listen/
My son is a musician, but has kept his day job for security. It is a tough road for artists to make it to the top.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Brian! Great post, very informative. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAh, this rings true in the book industry as well. The gates have been removed, making it easier to get in, yet once we are there we find millions of others have come in with us and it is those who find their way to the top that get the readers. As you say, it's still a struggle, just the challenges are different. Great post!
ReplyDelete