How to get into the music career?

Question

well I'm seriously considering doing music in my life, its all i want to do cause i love it, well here may be the issue I'm 15 so people might not take me seriously, when i say i want to be an artist. do you have any ideas of what i can do to break into the industry?. and no i don't wanna wait till next year when i'm 16 to try for American idol thats a last resort

Answer 1

I'm 15 and people take my music pretty seriously... (www.myspace.com/defusedtheband).

If you want to be taken seriously then just be good at what you do, if you're good people won't care about your age... I highly recommend trying to record a song at home, or with someone that has the equipment to and then give the song out, put it on Myspace, maybe talk to your radio or something.

Then once people hear you singing and a song and like you you can do more songs and sing live!

Just an idea  

Answer 2

Ok - I am really Old School about this - since I have been employed FULL TIME in the music business as a classical performer, arranger, music director, conductor, teacher (certified) and competition judge in NY - since 1971.  GET AN EDUCATION!  Get into the BEST music college you can.  That means you need to have TONS of lessons NOW - and it might be too late, sad to say.  Take every music class your school offers, no matter how dumb YOU think it is at the moment - the person teaching it STILL knows more than you do.  If they are not going FAST enough for you - that is because we can only teach as fast as kids will do the work to LEARN.

LOVE IT is FAR from enough.  I love ballet.  I am 5'8" - and now I am old.  Even when i was young - no chance.  NO talent, wrong body type - you get the picture.  LOVING music is nice - those of use who are making a living, need an audience and people to buy tickets and our CDs.  But as a career - you have a SERIOUS amount of DAILY hard work to do.  The people who say "YouTube" or American Idol" know nothing - THEY are not working in the music business - they are just buying into all the reality-c**p hype out there.  

SERIOUSLY evaluate your talent, your current preparation, and your WORK ETHIC.  Plan on working your butt off for short money, for a LONG time.  I now make into 6 figures a year - but it took LONG time to get there.  I wish you luck.. If you survive ME - you might have a chance.  If you disbelieve me - then plan on working at Sears.

Answer 3

There are basically five ways to break into the music business.

1. A record exec discovers you playing out somewhere (i.e Jewel)

2. You have a connection with an exec or famous person (i.e. Miley Sirus)

3. You make a name for yourself and the word of mouth is so much that people come looking for you (i.e. Hottie and the blow fish, MC Hammer, etc)

4. You go places where you can audition for a label - contest, musicals, etc (i.e. American Idol, Mickey Mouse Club (where Justin and Britney came from)

5. You can go independent and sell your own music w/o the need of the labels.

My advice is to do it all and get your parent's support. Also keep perfecting your craft. Post some songs on youtube to get some ratings and feedback from people.

hope this helps.