ALT-1 How to Make Money as a Guitar Player
Perhaps you’re thinking of becoming the next Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton or perhaps playing guitar is just how you want to spend your time. Either way there is still a need for money to pay the rent. Playing guitar in order to make a living or even much more than a living is very possible. Some of the following ideas may give you the inspiration to make it happen.
Busk
A time-honored way of making money with music. Set yourself up in the local shopping centre or anywhere that people congregate. Check the local laws first as some cities require a permit to busk.
Write
If you have a talent in writing music, use it. You can perform your own work as well as selling it to others. There are opportunities to write music for commercial purposes, consider that you could compose music for advertising jingles, ringtones and music for children. You could dream up a guitar-inspired iPhone app. Remember to look into copyright issues to ensure that you protect your work.
Play
Even if you start off playing for your friends, once you develop a reputation then paid gigs tend to come along. Approach local businesses such as restaurants and clubs to see if they have opportunities for you to play guitar to entertain their customers. Alternatively you could join a band, or start your own.
Teach
Depending on your level of expertise you may be able to conduct guitar lessons. This is a flexible way to make money as you can work the hours that suit you.
Be seen and heard
Participate in musical events and festivals appropriate to whichever variety of music you favour, country music festivals are an example. Entering talent competitions is another way to get your music out in the wider world.
Sell
About.comhas a useful article on getting your work on iTunes. Other sites such as BlastMyMusic.com and MyMusicSite.com assist independent artists to sell their music or you can simply do a search on “how can I sell my music online” for more options. You could also produce your own CD’s and sell them, both in person and online.
Advertise
Start a blog and a website on your music, join music forums and put clips of your work on YouTube. Tell your friends. Speak to people personally as well as through social networking sites. Get some appropriate business cards so you can advertise your services and offer your contact details whenever an opportunity arises.
These are some of the ways you can make money as a guitar player. In order to do so however you need to take some action. Why not start today?
