Will music ever become a real profession again?

Question:

Will music ever become a real profession again?

At this point there is almost no way to make a living as a musician. There are few performing venues, recording studios hire almost no one, funding for orchestras is way down, there is no such thing as mechanical copyrights in any real sense, arrangers cannot find work and the only people that make a living are a tiny handful of privileged kids, frankly few of which even are in it for the music.

Aside from this miniscule super wealthy celebrity class, there really is no music profession any more.

The free downloading of songs, the lack of album sales and the closing of venues (many of the few that remain actually charge the musician to play there) make this merely a rich kid's game, or work for those who are willing to starve awaiting their lottery slim chance at success.

What can be done to create a new music scene, one that is robust and is not just aimed at thirteen year olds and their slightly more grown up counterparts.

Is that dream done, or is there a way?

Additional Details

1 day ago
Jacob H -- I made a decent living as a musician for many years. Yes, there was once many scenes all over the country. Things have not always been the cruddy way they are now.

22 hours ago
kucletus, I'm happy for you.

You must realise that yours is the odd story out by now...

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 1 day ago
Jacob H -- I made a decent living as a musician for many years. Yes, there was once many scenes all over the country. Things have not always been the cruddy way they are now.22 hours ago
kucletus, I'm happy for you.

You must realise that yours is the odd story out by now... It is real profession...mine and most of my friends.

Music industry isn't going anywhere. Many great musicians aren't rich kids out to make a buck, so cut the class warfare crap. The ones out to really make it big aren't spoiled brats, they're the ones investing themselves into their passion.

Competition is fierce, always has been. May be a little more competitive now because the quality of musicians coming out of schools is better (on average). Recording studios hire the people THEY KNOW that can PLAY the job. Make calls, learn to network.

The scene is ever-evolving, so is a person that wants to make a living. If you cant make a living playing folk songs in a little bar, start teaching kids guitar (never a shortage of students). You can always hook up with an arts group that doesw music in the schools (Young Audiences for example).

Hate kids or have a criminal record?

Invest your time developing an audience. Get feedback, give out demos at a concert with your website address on them. Have a place where people can discuss your music. Sell music on your site.

The scene isn't dead...just different. Can't do the same thing you've always done and expect the results to be the same when the world is moving.

"Will music ever become a real profession again?"

Were you asking a question or just disguising a complaint?

Music is a real profession that requires real work and real effort. If you were able to just goof off for years and make a living congratz! Now get to work. all i know is i'll never stop downloading music for free.

what do you mean by this question? when was there ever a music scene? its over guy Music, writing, arts of any kind have never been viewed as subjects which garnish any real work. Music is the same as writing or anything else. Unfortunately I see it going out the window at all levels. At one time is was a booming business. I'm working on my DMA in composition and teaching theory - I'm making plenty of money from salary and commissions, so I'd say that music as my profession is working out just fine.