How to Become a Paid Guitarist
“Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded,” Jimi Hendrix once said, according to the website Guitar Noize. The key to becoming a paid guitar player is perseverance; it’s playing on the days when you’d rather curl up in bed with a book or head to the beach and bake in the sun. Don’t dive into the music industry with dreams of platinum albums or headlining at a music awards show — instead focus on smaller venues where you can increase your skills and your resume.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Practice religiously. Study chords, scales, licks and music theory to become the best guitarist you can be. The more knowledgeable you are, the more likely you are to impress an interviewer. Because the music industry is so competitive, any action that gives you an extra edge should be done.
-
2
Play with a group when you can. Place an ad on online message boards or in the classifieds to find other musicians to jam with. Working with other people will help develop your timing and communication skills. You’ll also develop references who can attest to your skill as a teammate when you apply to play with groups.
-
-
3
Scour the classified ads for guitarist jobs. Sometimes local bands with a following will look for a new guitarist. Because they may already have gigs lined up, you can get experience playing for a party or event. If they don’t, you’ll have other people to help you find paying work.
-
4
Place advertisements for your services on online classifieds sites or in your local paper. Check other ads to help develop your rate. Offer to play events, birthday parties, other parties and with bands. Include the type of music you play the most — whether it’s rock or classical, for example — in your ad.
-
5
Attend open mic nights as often as possible and play different types of music. Show your range; if you can rock on some Van Halen and then change to Charlie Byrd, you might impress a scout observing the mic night for talent.
-
6
Offer lessons to aspiring guitarists. You can work at a music store and offer in-store lessons or work from home. You’ll be paid to play guitar and pass on your talents to another person.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Busking — playing guitar in public and collecting tips from passers-by — is regulated by local laws in some cities. Check with your local police department to find out where you can play and whether you need a permit.
