Music Tips for Every Aspiring Musician 

Making a career in the music industry could seem hard and honestly, a little intimidating. Although it is a vast space that never seems to stop expanding, there are a few things you could effectively rely on as someone new in the scene. From basic social media marketing skills to networking to promoting your music on your own, there are many different things every emerging musician should definitely know.

Here are the questions we will be answering in this article:

1. How do you get noticed as an upcoming artist?
   
   
2. How do you get noticed as an upcoming artist?
   
   
3. What skills do new-age musicians need to develop?
   
   
4. What not to do as an emerging musician?
   
   
5. How do musicians get good (and better)?
   
   

What should you learn to become a musician?

Being a successful musician involves more than simply skill. It requires a mix of abilities, understanding, and dedication. Determining what to learn can help you get on the correct track and offer you the resources you require to achieve your goals. Here are the essential things to work on as you begin your musical journey:

Basic Music Knowledge 

We know that many musicians would disagree, asserting it is not necessary to learn about music theory or get some sort of music education. However, any learning, especially those that involve practical applications, never proves to be a waste of time. It will only help you build a strong foundation with music. If people can make music without understanding it at an academic level, imagine what someone with such a background combined with real talent, could do!

For example, take Paul McCartney of The Beatles. McCartney’s extensive knowledge of music theory and competence in different instruments enabled him to compose intricate and distinctive works. He could play the bass, guitar, piano, and drums, combined with his theoretical understanding, which allowed him to make substantial contributions to The Beatles’ distinctive sound and lasting impact.

Digital Audio Workstations (DAW)

As an aspiring musician, it’d be wise to get some hands-on experience in dealing with DAWs since they would play a crucial role in making your music. You could ask someone to mentor you, or you could YouTube it but definitely do not take this lightly. Make an honest effort to learn to use DAWs such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio. These tools are essential for recording, creating, and editing your music.

Songwriting and composition 

Basic songwriting skills are definitely important and one might say, all it takes, to actually make unique and good music today. While some musicians work through different song structure templates and try to engage in a lyricism that fits into a template they find most suitable to the idea in mind, others start off with a poetry/ballad-like draft and then go on to compose melodies that suit the lyricism. Not everything you write can and should become a song, not really. But keep writing. Always keep a notepad with you, record drafts whenever an idea strikes and be open to any source that could give you inspiration. Write, practice, repeat. Set goals with your songwriting sessions, and make an honest effort to overcome any sort of creative block. 

Music Business

Learn about what it means to sign a record deal, what labels do, how royalties work, and all the legalities that come into play when you release your music. Given the new age wave of independent music, a lot of aspiring musicians have chosen to remain independent rather than work with a record label. So as an emerging musician, it is important to learn about all the possibilities to make a well-informed decision for yourself. Surviving the music market needs more than just musical talent; it also necessitates understanding how to preserve your music rights, maximize your revenue, and promote your work. Taylor Swift, for example, is well known for both her musical abilities and her astute business sense. One might condemn her for being the most unsustainable music artist the world has ever seen, but she CAN spend so much money because she made it well. 

How do you get noticed as an upcoming artist?

Consider this scenario: You are a 21-year-old music artist who has just released an EP consisting of 4 tracks. You also check that on the same day, at least 500 different tracks are released onto the same streaming app. How do you ensure yours actually gets heard? 

Artist visibility and discoverability make all the difference today. 

Online Presence 

Developing a robust online presence is critical for reaching a large audience and developing your brand. Use social media channels such as Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook to promote your music, interact with followers, and show off your personality. A professional website provides a single location for your music, tour dates, merchandising, and contact details, allowing customers and business professionals to discover more about you.

Of course, all of this does sound obvious to anyone. But building a coherent brand identity throughout your online presence across different platforms. 

Playlisting 

Spotify playlisting is huge and is likely to grow as an ecosystem. It helps artists reach new listeners when their music is added to popular playlists. To get your music on playlists, start with independent and curated playlists, which are frequently more accessible to new artists than major editorial playlists. To submit your music, use platforms such as SubmitHub and PlaylistPush or contact curators directly. We at GreaseRelease also host our very own submission platform with a higher approval rate than others. 

Network with professionals

Building a network in the music industry is critical for gaining access and knocking on new doors. Visit music conferences, festivals, and other business events to meet and network with other musicians, producers, executives, and label reps. Events like SXSW (South by Southwest), MIDEM, and the ASCAP Experience offer fantastic networking opportunities, as well as workshops and discussions that provide vital business knowledge. Join industry groups and associations like the Recording Academy, BMI, ASCAP, or local music collectives to remain up to date on industry developments and meet possible collaborators. 

Our advice? Attend as many local gigs as possible. This will help you connect with your contemporaries, and other emerging musicians and learn more about how talent is found - A&R. If you network through A&Rs, you’re pretty much good to go. 

What skills do new-age musicians need to develop?

In the times where there’s an imminent fear of AI taking over all human jobs, music is slowly becoming no different. There’s a huge wave of AI covers using different prominent voices in social media and it is affecting the music industry. In such a premise, how do you ensure you not only compete and win against human contemporaries but also AI?

Adaptability

Our advice with AI is not to fight it, but befriend it. Utilize it carefully to not let it control your creative endeavors. This could mean asking for a prompt for songwriting inspiration when you’re in the middle of a block, it could mean experimenting with different notes, using AI song-making tools to try out what sounds new and could definitely be done better by a human counterpart. Learn from it, instead of running from it, and use that knowledge to get ahead in the game. 

Being adaptive entails remaining updated about these developments and being willing to adjust your style, techniques, and approach. For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hindered real performances, several musicians responded by adopting live-streaming concerts and online performances. Billie Eilish made a successful transition to digital performances, delivering creative concerts online that helped her interact with fans and grow her fan base. 

Self-promotion

Promote your music at any chance you get, unapologetically and effectively. Make an impact. Gaining the confidence and ability to advertise your music is critical for increasing attention and reputation. Self-promotion entails contacting industry professionals and presenting your music to blogs, playlists, and radio stations. Artists such as Chance the Rapper have shown the value of promotion of oneself. Without a formal record company, he gained a significant fanbase and attained mainstream recognition by independently releasing his music and vigorously marketing it on social media. 

Collaboration 

Collaboration with other artists, producers, and industry professionals can lead to new opportunities and broaden your reach. Working with others gives you the opportunity to learn from diverse viewpoints, produce original music, and reach new listeners. For example, Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga’s collaboration on the song Rain on Me not only produced a successful single but also brought together their respective fan bases and artistic approaches. Building a network of colleagues might lead to new chances and improve your creative productivity.

What not to do as an emerging musician?

While knowing what to do is vital, recognizing what to avoid can be just as beneficial. Many aspiring musicians make mistakes that impede their careers or harm their reputations. Learn about the major traps and practices to avoid while you advance your profession.

Avoid comparing yourself to others

It’s natural to feel inspired and envious when you see the success of other artists. However, constantly comparing oneself to others might harm your progress and self-esteem. Every artist’s journey is unique, with varying timelines and situations. Concentrate on your own development, appreciate your accomplishments, and establish personal goals. 

Don’t neglect your health

Physical and mental health are essential for a successful long-term career in music. The stress of creating, performing, and promoting your music can lead to burnout if you don’t take care of yourself. Establishing boundaries, taking pauses, and engaging in rejuvenating activities will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Artists such as Shawn Mendes have openly mentioned taking breaks to focus on their psychological well-being, stressing the value of self-care. Remember that your well-being is critical to your creativity and overall performance.

Don’t ignore feedback 

Constructive criticism promotes growth. It can be difficult to receive negative comments, but staying open to them can help you develop your music. Take input from fans, mentors, and industry experts and use it to improve your work. Feedback is way more important than you think. 

Avoid Oversaturation 

While it is crucial to create material on a frequent basis to keep your audience engaged, quality should not be sacrificed for quantity. Releasing too much information too soon might lead to exhaustion and reduce the effect of your work. Ensuring that each release fulfills your high expectations and accurately reflects your artistry. Frank Ocean’s music is an example of an artist who carefully chooses his release. Despite the vast gaps among albums, each one is eagerly anticipated and widely lauded for its excellence and complexity. Finding an equilibrium between quality and uniformity will help you develop a long-term career.

How do musicians get good (and better)?

Practice, practice, and more practice. Development is a continual process in any artistic profession, including music. Regular practice will help you master methods, improve your timing, and improve your overall musicianship. Setting clear goals, concentrating on key areas for progress, and introducing new methods and genres into your repertoire are all part of efficient rehearsal, which goes beyond simply playing your instrument. 

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now! 

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