Singing Careers
We all know the old phrase "singing for your supper." If you try to make an entertainment career as a singer, the expression takes on a literal meaning. There are dozens of ways to make money — perhaps even a living — as a singer.
There are dozens of popular forms: radio-friendly pop (Mariah Carey, etc.), jazz, hip-hop, country, folk, rock, bluegrass, gospel, blues and more. Regional or ethnic types of music include everything from gamelon to zydeco. Of course, there are musicals and opera. Becoming adept at singing any form of music is a potential way to make a living.
Singing work falls into two basic types: performance and recording. You can perform in venues large and small. Before they perform at Carnegie Hall or on the Broadway stage, many singers get jobs in hospitals singing for the infirmed, in restaurants ("singing waiters"), as back-up singers on tour, or performing torch songs in tiny cabarets and nightclubs. Another good avenue is working in the chorus of stage productions or in a choir.
Singer-songwriters often have the toughest time, since they have to convince people to like their writing as well as their performance. There's also "busking" or performing on street corners, on trains, or in parks for change. It's not easy — especially because it's sometimes illegal. However, certain cities have permits you can get or specific areas where performing is allowed.
A branch of performing about which newcomers rarely know is industrial shows. These are entertainments for business audiences at conventions, expos or special events. Many artists bring in good money on these assignments.
Recording work, when you can get it, can be lucrative. Besides working on pop music recordings, there's lots of work in voiceovers and jingles — the short advertising songs you hear on TV and the radio.
Full-time singers rarely specialize. Many will sing in a choir on Sunday, work on recordings during the week, and sing at special events or concerts as they come available. Keeping your finger in many pots is a good way to avoid a "straight job" and work at what you love.
LINKS
Examining Your Singing Goals
Honesty is the best policy — but dreams must play a part.
Working for a Song
Cabaret is a life, if not a living.
Optimistic Tunes
Four West Coast musical theatre pros affirm that their arena is rich, despite growing pains.
Getting Cast in Today's Musicals On and Off-Broadway
We take a look at today's musical productions with an eye toward filling you in on what you need to know to get cast in them.
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