How to make a career in music: 6 Tips for Freelance Musicians - Emily Davidson, baroque cello

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After music school, becoming a freelance classical musician can be daunting. Hope these tips help demystify what it takes to have a music career!
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Emily Davidson, baroque cello

[@luvlaughluv-ly7nh]

I appreciate this video so much. I keep telling myself to “settle” for something conventional but unfulfilling because even people in my own field discourage me, but it’s not true to my talents. Thank you for helping get rid of the false narrative that being a musician isn’t a legitimate career.

[@Izznum]

Same here too..my parents didn't actually support my decision to be a musician just because they want me to have a "better" job such as working for government.But deep down,I really love music and I wanted to be musician so bad I will do anything to make my dream comes true.

[@cesarbentley8689]

you probably dont give a damn but does any of you know of a way to log back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb lost the account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me

[@joevelasquez2757]

Love your background music.

[@emmabolton8678]

Great advice. I was working as a freelance/teacher and I got completely drained so I decided to go back to uni and I'm now on a full scholarship with a living allowance as well as getting government money to study and gig money 👌🏻

[@emilyplayscello]

Great! But unfortunately that only lasts for as long as you're in school haha. But enjoy it!

[@coln7334]

How did u get scholarship?

[@heatherhawken]

Hey Emma! I'd really appreciate it if you checked out my channel and if you enjoy my videos then I'd love to have you as a subscriber. I talk about all the things I've discovered along the road of becoming a fulltime freelance musician :D

[@averyvyvyanavanti5547]

Still equally as helpful today as it was a year ago. I needed this.

[@ConnorBaxter]

great video, thank you for sharing Emily, great points on balancing Down time with work time!

[@estherpontoalves]

Awesome video, Emily! Thank you!

[@juanlorences4091]

Love your channel! Thanks for your tips😊

[@nneo100]

My town does not have a cello instructor at the music shop. I may get to put my years of private instruction to good use. Thanks for the video!

[@rhythmantic]

Thank you Emily for sharing the different areas a musician can monetize their skills and experience.

[@MarkHowellPaulAgain]

This is the best video I have watched on this topic. Thank you

[@HarmonicClockwork]

These ideas are very well organized, and the video is full of useful strategies.

[@RRAREBEAR]

amazing advice. I play in an indie band but also produce music for artists when I'm not on tour. It's a great point to follow what interests you but also realize what you are "best" at and what is your most marketable aspect. I believe in "double down with whatever works" - basically if you see positive results - keep doing it and even more! I'm also quitting my day job next week! Haha, my production has slowly and surely taken place of my day job. It's a wonderful time to be a musician. Just need to be creative and figure out how to market yourself. Remember TALENT is Latin for TALENTUM which means SUM OF MONEY! subscribed! x

[@heatherhawken]

Hey! I'd really appreciate it if you checked out my channel and if you enjoy my videos then I'd love to have you as a subscriber. I talk about all the things I've discovered along the road of becoming a fulltime freelance musician :D

[@everytimesthefirsttime]

Thank you so much for these videos.

[@ashisrai6265]

Truly appreciated​ for sharing this.....

[@2628064379]

Excellent video Emily.

[@bangtansonyeondan2337]

I am an ECU sophomore clarinet performance major and I’ve been procrastinating researching how I’ll actually make a career out of my passion (ignorance is bliss right ). I truly appreciate this video and your insight!

[@kentaylor5133]

This is useful. Will try to follow your advice.

[@marianaproa]

Thanks a lot Emily. It´s so usufull what you say speceally tip 3 and 4

[@NickCutroneo]

Great video!

[@Coffeehousesantos]

Great advice ,thank you.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Great advice. Applies to most of the arts.

[@ZGutierrez16]

Great video! 🙂

[@joerobinson7289]

Good video, great advice 👍

[@yashrastogi6503]

As a begginer, I found your channel on KZbin much more useful than other on KZbin. Thank you, for providing so much advice for my musical career in the future ahead. By the way, you look really smart. :-)

[@thegroovee]

thank you for the video!

[@montstudio7350]

I have to say, this is fantastic advice. I have been a freelancer for years and you hit every topic with a clear, honest and intelligent answer.

[@heatherhawken]

Hey! I'd really appreciate it if you checked out my channel and if you enjoy my videos then I'd love to have you as a subscriber. I talk about all the things I've discovered along the road of becoming a fulltime freelance musician :D

[@ewink2]

Thanks for this video! My son is a cellist and wants to be a professional cellist when he's grown up. Hoping he'll watch it at some point, and get some ideas.

[@MichelleRautenbach]

Thanks for the tips :’

[@felipea.m.voltolini511]

Great video! Tks

[@RameshKumar-ng3nf]

Wowwwwwwwww.. Sooooo beautifullllllll girl :-) and having so much knowledge :-) . Thanks for sharing all info. Was really helpful. Subscribed your channel :-)

[@paulcantu8465]

I just found your KZbin channel I like it this is so cool and awesome I cannot wait for more new videos from you thank you you are the best you rock and you are so cool and awesome

[@Sokolovpianist249]

Paul Cantu you might also enjoy this channel. Similar content from a young professional pianist :) kzbin.info

[@PeterFrary]

Excellent advise from the trenches of the Baroque music world!

[@48796gbf]

A wonderful performance.

[@CutmanPlays]

Great info!

[@austinbradfordburns5725]

Great advice. I am a freelancer with all music jobs and I too felt bitter in the past when working non-music jobs because of the level of education I had. I have found that starting my own donation based concert series with spaces that are willing to host concerts for free works well for me. For instance I have a church that I work at that allows me to do concerts there as well as a former church of mine that I often partner with and an art gallery owned by a friend. I usually use the online booking format Groupmuse to help build crowds through an online community. I would love to hear more about your teaching studio and how you built that up. I currently have 3 students so I would love to hear from you on that. I had spent most of my time over the past two years teaching in schools so I wasn't really building a private studio.

[@michellemarie1197]

im a music education major and i mainly teach but i think its best to have a career within the music industry that is more realistic and then do performing on the side

[@nanakojomusic]

Thank you

[@natashaorellana1652]

As a prospective music performance major, love the informational video! Goes in depth and makes me feel more well prepared for the future :)

[@ehtonehtonas6539]

Thank You

[@apetik70]

Thank you for your usefull advices.

[@trumpetplayer05]

emilyplayscello That such a great story, i was a underdog with music as well, i had my teacher after i got my braces off i was first chair then took that chair testing and was put 5th chair. I was so close to putting my trumpet forever and never playing music again. But i met a professional musician at a concert and he talked to me and gave me such the best motivation of words for me. He just said to me, "So, are you going to become a professional musician, and I said "I don't know about that, but you really inspired me tonight" So from that day i told myself i am going to become the best i can be. In the end i ended up trying out for honor jazz band and i got into out of all my 3 highschools i was the only one picked from my town. So i feel you on being the underdog.

[@DemetrideSkepsi]

Thank you this was really helpful.

[@beverly2729]

Wonderful advice! Thank you! Personally, I find wedding fairs to be beneficial. If you have time, would you please list the websites that you advertise on for lessons? Thanks!

[@joebateman8332]

Thank you for sharing these ideas. You articulated very rational thinking in a way that was easy for me to understand and I appreciate that very much. I am personally trying to gain more ways of earning an income as a freelance musician. I have found most of my work to be as a singer and lyricist but hope to branch out more with my instrument playing also. Sadly it does seem very inconsistent and so your own acknowledgement of this often being the case was helpful, especially adding the suggestion to find more ways than one to generate a musical income. Thank you again, Joe Bateman

[@emilyplayscello]

Glad I could help! Best of luck :)

[@Tojoj22]

You have the best advice of road to a Music career

[@Eddys0n93]

Hi Emily, Thanks for this video, very very helpful for those of us starting out. Could you possibly do a video (or link me if you've already made one) about overcoming frustration during practice? I had to stop cello lessons for 6 months to focus on my studies and now that I've started again, I'm finding that I'm getting very frustrated with myself because of how far backwards I seem to have gone. Thank you!! Keep up the great work!

[@heatherhawken]

Hey! I'd really appreciate it if you checked out my channel and if you enjoy my videos then I'd love to have you as a subscriber. I talk about all the things I've discovered along the road of becoming a fulltime freelance musician :D

[@ameerah2959]

Thanks for that video. I'm not sure if it disappointed me or encouraged me but anyway, I've two topics to talk about. First, I want you to make another video about this or I want people in comments to discuss this " what job qualification" should we have. I've been researching but I think I didn't get help and I'm gonna determine what I'm talking about. I'm talking about that some of us didn't join music schools so is it a "job qualification" or it doesn't matter and you just need a degree. Second, I also have been doing a research about what country offers music colleges because I think I was disappointed in this when I was researching and I'm still not sure if we have to travel abroad for a music college. Some countries don't have music colleges? I hope answers are helpful for you as they are for me and I hope that I 'll be even noticed.

[@lunarlight3131]

very difficult to stay afloat money wise even with doing lessons. i've had to pick a day job up just to survive and still maintain my music studies up 100%.

[@jasongotcello]

I would love for you to be my private instructor. I never really actually had a teacher who helps me get better

[@wojciechj.m.uminski2154]

Thanks for some theory how is it goes really in real life. Thank's for more inspiration and giving wind in sails for me. You and Yo Yo Ma are guides for me now. Thank's God and maker Lenarii that You both are exists. Thanks.

[@heatherhawken]

Hey! I'd really appreciate it if you checked out my channel and if you enjoy my videos then I'd love to have you as a subscriber. I talk about all the things I've discovered along the road of becoming a fulltime freelance musician :D

[@nicolasserranoloaiza4192]

Hi I'm 16 and I'm about to move to New York and I love classical music and I wan to be a professional in music, I play flute and piano, could you recommend me an school or university to study music in New York but julliard ?

[@ritiittiii9344]

brainstorm your options decide if you want tobe the boss manage your time manage your money remember your artistic goals quit your day job (or dont)

[@AlanMcCarthyguitar]

hi Emily ,have you considered teaching group lessons ,is that possible in cello ,from an income point of view its very profitable

[@fluteplayervictoria4100]

your videos are amazing. I graduate with a music degree next December, and IDK how to make money.

[@Sokolovpianist249]

Flute Player Victoria you might also enjoy this channel. Similar content from a pianist: kzbin.info :)

[@heatherhawken]

Hey! I have a video on this subject going up tomorrow! If you enjoy my videos then I'd love to have you as a subscriber. I talk about all the things I've discovered along the road of becoming a fulltime freelance musician :D

[@user-zi1fv2bs8t]

Or a choir teacher or music therapist

[@guerrero4982]

I'm having a bit trouble with deciding if I want to work for myself or for someone else. I don't like working for other people and I'd love to show my own artistic visions but working for someone seems like it would seem more secure than self management.

[@user-zi1fv2bs8t]

You can become a band or orchestra teacher

[@ARMusics09]

That face is really pretty and advices beautifull. Thank you🤗

[@charliewhite578]

I am a busker, a saxophone player.

[@paulysguitarjournal]

Do you have to have a music degree? I play the classical guitar but have had all private lessons.

[@emilyplayscello]

In theory you don't need a music degree, unless certain jobs (usually teaching jobs) require it. Most people really benefit from what they learn in music school, but it's certainly possible to get work without it if your playing level is high!

[@ausiamm]

Calender is very important

[@rohitnachnekar8900]

Really satisfaction with little money. ...Is worth like heaven .....

[@likey21love55]

Hi! you are the one who played with your brother Chris for some EDM variant mix, right?

[@emilyplayscello]

Yep! Our album OldStyle is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLiMZz-TTI50bwTHpTDCN7m4g2-sJkX1AX

[@pussywhisperer7091]

so I want to make a music mix channel (mostly EDM, House, Teap, etc.) and I gave 1 problem. How can I avoid copyright?

[@emilyplayscello]

+GameBoy553 You can't avoid copyright, but you just won't be able to monetize your videos. Instead the monetization goes to the owners of whatever content you're playing. You'll still be able to share the music, just not make money off of ad revenue.

[@UnrefinedGold]

Hi..!! How what's the step of getting people to notice and getting students to want to learn from you.?

[@emilyplayscello]

In terms of getting noticed, it's great to get in touch with a school music teacher and maybe offer to tutor/help out for free at school once or twice so they can recommend you for private lessons. You can also use lesson referral sites like GetLessonsNow.com.

[@UnrefinedGold]

emilyplayscello Thanks for the advice Great videos keep the good fight of giving advices

[@saratsarkai8789]

well i am 13 years old and i want to learn a musical instrument. But my parents say that i will not make a career with music. So ... what should i do??

[@emilyplayscello]

You can learn an instrument even if it won't be your career :) but if you practice and work hard you might prove your parents wrong!

[@deantumangan9219]

Sara Tsarkai If they wouldn't buy you one. The only way is to save for one yourself.

[@lockitdrop]

Were you playing the background music?

[@emilyplayscello]

Yep! It's a track off of my first album, BASS SOUNDS. Track 4 here: emilyplayscello.bandcamp.com/album/bass-sounds-music-for-unaccompanied-cello-from-the-early-baroque

[@davidhoyte3698]

Love your site. I am a Songwriter Composer, seeking to start a Music Academy in the Bahamas. This will be my first time trying this type of Training workshop. I want to have a place for students and Musicians to visit, to Record, and to work and get paid for their talents, and vacation at the same time. what do you think about this and send us some info on your site lets work and stay in touch. May God Bless you and your Talents and Friends. From David Nathaniel Hoyte. Owner of Hmmbalpy Music Inventions Academy.

[@heatherhawken]

Hey! I'd really appreciate it if you checked out my channel and if you enjoy my videos then I'd love to have you as a subscriber. I talk about all the things I've discovered along the road of becoming a fulltime freelance musician :D

[@jubileeslife6976]

is the back round music a recording of you?

[@emilyplayscello]

It is! Track 4 from this album (also on Spotify/iTunes): emilyplayscello.bandcamp.com/album/bass-sounds-music-for-unaccompanied-cello-from-the-early-baroque

[@jubileeslife6976]

its really good

[@invisbile9934]

How to became a violin soloist

[@christophheimel2766]

beauty :)

[@justarandomanimelover3592]

I was trying to change the quality and I accidentally reported it sorry 😶😶😶

[@benchawes965]

Gorgeous woman. Reminds me a bit of Teal Swan :)

[@CrandMackerel]

Great advice from a great player. (who just happens to be smoking hot, BTW)

[@bartenderzzz]

And oh yeah, helps to be smoking hot!!

[@emilyplayscello]

eh, you could say it helps, but it definitely doesn't help when people don't take you seriously, assume you're stupid, comment on your clothing and makeup instead of your performance, or add a backhanded compliment about how you look while insulting your performance... the list goes on. It doesn't always help.

[@bartenderzzz]

@@emilyplayscello Hey I get it, you want to be known and respected for your skills, totally, but if your good looks bring business too, so be it. As long as you know who YOU are.

[@sadgir]

Yup yup!

[@nicholasgood4382]

Thank you