How can you become a REAL world percussionist?
Short answer: Leave the country!
I know, I know . . . easier said than done, right?
For many musicians, the idea of traveling to study in remote regions of the planet is, although alluring, seemingly impossible. They would love the opportunity to get outta Dodge, live overseas for a stretch and be schooled by some rhythmic guru in a faraway land. But how is it possible to even get out of the ‘starving artist’ category, much less afford something like that?
Part One of this series is going to discuss the business side of what we do as drummers. These are topics that should really be reviewed by all of us, regardless of our future goals, and are definitely a prerequisite to ‘Making It Happen’ in Part Two.
Time to think outside the cajón
This is where we percussionists need to get creative and start thinking a bit outside the box. We can also pick up some valuable pointers from successful entrepreneurs in other career fields. What we need to do is re-evaluate how we use our talents, making it possible to become somewhat mobile and pursue such lofty desires. Part of the purpose of my blog is to encourage and help musicians to adopt and apply some principals of “lifestyle design” and “location independence,” which are hot terms in the entrepreneurial blogging world these days. One of the first things a drummer could take a look at is what exactly he/she considers their job description to be. I used to envision mine as nothing more than ‘grunting, drooling and hitting stuff!’ However, I’ve come to realize in the last few years that wearing many hats can bring with it much personal pleasure, a decent income and some credibility in the larger percussion community. All of these serve to help position me to (cliché alert) live the dream! By no means am I a rockstar. Nor would I probably have the time to do what I do now if I were. I love playing drums. But, on top of that, my mission is to travel the world, research percussion and its role in other societies, perform whenever possible, meet and learn about new people and their cultures, dabble in foreign languages, and return to teach and write about these experiences! I’ve done so all over the US, Canada, West Africa, Cuba, Puerto Rico, China and Thailand. This year’s itinerary includes, so far, at least three or four countries. And I’m always excited to add another!
So, how is it done? How does one drum up the business to make it possible to leave home whenever you choose? Think: diversification, passive income and online opportunities!
Diversification
This means being diverse, people! I don’t care what style(s) of music you prefer, nor which ones you turn your nose up at. Don’t. It’s time to broaden the scope of your playing and be open to every style, venue, artist, etc. In addition to doing shows with your current ‘primary’ band, hang a ‘freelancer’ sign around your neck and start hitting the streets in search of work. That might mean joining the church worship group, or offering to add your instrument to other interesting ensembles.
Almost every band I run across already has a drummer, but few ever have a percussionist. If you play some hand drums and auxiliary instruments, market yourself for gigs and recording sessions to area bands that may not yet have those sonic textures covered. Get your reading chops together and accompany area plays and musicals.
Teach, teach, teach! Individual lessons at a music store, or out of your basement. Group percussion workshops (for schools, prisons, corporations), clinics/masterclasses. Coach a local high school drumline or jazz band rhythm section.
Passive income
This is the key to being able to make money while you are not at home, thus sustaining this new mobile lifestyle. How does one make money without working for it? One doesn’t- and that’s not at all what I’m suggesting. What I am suggesting is that you work your tail off right now, to develop products and services that can be sold over and over again, providing an ongoing stream of revenue down the road. It might take a lot of hard work upfront, and most likely won’t make you rich. But each one you have will gradually supply you with a teeny bit more income, getting you that much closer to your end goal.
Use your imagination when brainstorming product ideas. Recording CDs and/or DVDs (performance or instructional) and writing percussion method books are fairly obvious ones that come to mind. But what about inventing a new [or improved] instrument that fills a gap in the industry? Composing solo/ensemble pieces that are marketed to band directors?
Trust me, I fully understand that it takes loads of planning, focus and diligence on your part to stick with such a project from start to finish. But remember- to some extent, when it’s done, it’s DONE. Once completed and released to the masses, each of these products can exist for all eternity. Essentially the same item or idea being sold over and over again, it can (and will) be there forever- one small piece in the puzzle which is your percussive career!
Online opportunities
This is the digital era . . . embrace it; exploit it; capitalize upon it. I have personally found several ways to generate cashflow while sitting (at home or abroad) in front of my laptop computer. Writing [text and/or video] articles for drum magazines and webzines, music engraving (typesetting) for other percussionist’s books and articles, and creation of various eBooks are a few that I’ve found to be successful. My best friend and I even have an online storefront selling silly music related items, which pays for a portion of our musical travel adventures!
Gua-guan-GO NOW!
Need more ideas? Join (or start) a local meetup group to network with other motivated musicians; review bands and musicians for your town’s music-zine; collaborate with everyone possible.
It doesn’t matter so much what avenues you pursue in order to reach your goals. It only matters that you are pursuing them.
Some of these suggestions will work for you. Some may not. And I’m certain that you will devise several that I would never have thought of. Please login below, post a comment and share with the rest of us!
Next time, we’ll take a look at how to actually plan a study adventure abroad- including finding a teacher, creating a budget and preparing for the trip.
Great article. The one thing that I would add to it is grant writing. Although this is a more “academic” skill, this is VERY important for musicians who want to travel (or do a ton of other things, like start music schools). I got a Fulbright grant to study percussion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and an Undergraduate Research Grant while I was still in college to study in Ghana. The Fulbright grant is ideal for musicians because it comes with very few strings attached…it isn’t easy to get, but it’s definitely worth it if you do.
Anyway, thanks for posting!