
James Divine - who has over 30 years experience in the music field as a performer and teacher - introduces us to the course and to his twin brother Professor Jimmy who will be presenting the lessons.
Give lessons as a money-making tactic for musicians, charging 25–40 dollars per hour (50 for some), with group or in-home options, and build studio relationships while staying professional and organized.
Become a part-time music pastor, leading choirs and rehearsals 8-10 hours weekly, earning about $200-250, with potential to serve multiple churches while coordinating volunteers.
Become a street songwriter by performing on demand with guitar, recorder, and laptop, selling on-the-spot songs in various styles, and marketing via email and Fiverr.
Record weekly songs for a niche market and sell them on iTunes to a dedicated fanbase, using surveys to decide future songs and earn from fan purchases.
Turn a home studio into a side income by offering recording, mixing, and mastering with package deals, including iTunes uploads, CD Baby distribution, and vanity CD production.
Join the Colorado National Guard Band for part-time weekends and two-week summer tours, earn 3–8k part-time or 30k–80k full-time, and secure a pension by age 60 through military service.
Compose podcast music, including intro, outro, and theme tracks, to monetize your work, gain exposure with podcast producers, and use wave and mp3 files while possibly producing the broadcast.
Work as a DJ at weddings by mixing live music with prerecorded tracks, using your sound equipment and playlists tailored to the couple, plus optional CDs.
Learn to compose video game music, protect rights, and negotiate per-game or flat fees while shaping electronic scores to the storyline.
Write a book as a musician to build your platform, publish affordably as an ebook or print, price it and bundle with music, and develop editing and online skills.
Explore substitute teaching as a flexible income for musicians, with 80–150 dollars a day for about seven hours, and pursue music-class opportunities via certification and outreach during planning periods.
Start a jazz camp or summer program blending improvisation and jazz history. Charge about $100 weekly for 10–15 kids and host a Friday parent performance.
Be a street performer in New York City, follow local laws and permits, practice for $10 to $12 per hour with a sax quartet, and sell cds to boost earnings.
Use cash to buy used instruments at bargains and resell them part-time for profit. Scout Craigslist, eBay, and flea markets, stay patient, and leverage repair skills and two free lessons.
Become the booking agent for a busy club, leverage the local music scene, earn 20 percent of band payments, promote slow nights, and lock in detailed show contracts.
Explore music therapy concepts - from drum circles for hyperactive boys to moms and babies - turned into marketable programs through creative marketing and clear benefits.
Create an instructional dvd and monetize by posting videos on YouTube with a link to your site, then offer courses on the demi platform, with DVDs priced at $20.
Perform house concerts in intimate living rooms or backyards, interact with the audience, share stories, and offer signed CDs or bulk orders to earn two to five hundred dollars.
Sell merchandise to monetize performances by offering CDs, DVDs, shirts, and sheet music at strategic prices and bundles.
Offer your sound expertise to churches, schools, or events, rent your know-how for consultations and setups, and charge rates like $50 per hour, $100 flat, or $300 for three hours.
Work at a music store and take part-time or full-time roles, with instrument specialization and even lessons; outside sales reps visit band directors, rewarding hustle, commission potential, and customer relations.
Position piano accompaniment as your niche by offering services to soloists, ensembles, and colleges. Earn 25 to 50 dollars per hour with flat rates for longer sessions and harder music.
Become a music judge by drawing on experienced teachers to provide constructive feedback, offer workshops and clinician work, prepare students, and earn $200 to $500 a day seasonally.
Record regularly and post to YouTube to build a full-time musician income through product sales, while promoting, engaging fans, and offering products at multiple price points.
Monetize your musician skills by hosting karaoke parties, using a sound system and tracks, specializing in niches like children, gospel, or oldies to earn 200–500 dollars per 3–4 hour gig.
Make your original song available for streaming through CD Baby and other channels, distribute to iTunes, earn small per-stream income, promote to increase streams, and enable use in media.
Conduct a youth or community orchestra to earn between 200 and 1000 dollars per month, with opportunities to raise income through workshops and recruitment.
Another way to make some extra income as a musician...create your own music videos.
It’s more difficult than ever to make money in the music field, but difficult doesn’t mean impossible! There are also many more opportunities than ever before. Who knew 20 years ago that for a few dollars, you could make your music available all over the world?
I’ve been in this business for three decades as a performer, teacher, entrepreneur, author, educator, speaker and lecturer. It’s the only career I’ve had and I love it!
There once was a time where you could make a living as a full time performer. A few made it through the ranks and were sponsored by a record label. Many made it on their own through intensive networking or by getting a gig as part of a “house band.”
You still can make it as a full time performer today. However, realistically, you are more likely to make it as a musician if you have several streams of income.
Some of the items in this book will be obvious. They are all meant to be adapted to fit YOU. Some can be done full time; most are suited to just part time.
Each idea concludes with three sections:
1) Real Life: A realistic expectation of what this idea can generate in cash. It may also list the realities of what I have made doing this or what I have seen others make.
2) Take it to the next level: Some outside the box thinking in relation to this idea.
3) Skills you’ll need: What you should have at least an average knowledge about to implement this idea. I’ve also included some things that would be more temperament or personality related here.
This book is not meant to be an all-inclusive list. There should be many ideas that fit your personality. Try them. See what works.
Very few people get to do what they love to do. You are one of them.
Happy Music Making,
James Divine