21 Things I Learned About Being a Musician in 2021

I’ve decided to make these posts a tradition. 

The format of “XX things I’ve learned about being a musician in [YEAR].” 

(Check out what I learned in 2020).

It forces me to think of what I truly have learned. And it’s a good reminder to stay a lifelong learner. 

For you, hopefully it’s a shortcut to learning and improving as a musician.

So, here are 21 things I learned about being a musician in 2021…

1. It’s always best to be authentic ‒ when in doubt, do it in a way you won’t regret later

2. A single act of generosity can come back to benefit you later

3. Who you know may be just as (or more) important than what you know

4. Calendars are one of the best productivity tools we have as part-time musicians (trash your to-do list)

5. If you take small, consistent steps toward your goals, you’ll start to see results

6. You can market your music and engage with your fans in rewarding and effective ways

7. Sync licensing can be a great source of income for songwriter-producers

8. You can make a lot of money creating custom music for brands

9. SoundBetter seems to be a legit way to make money as a producer (speaking from experience)

10. Collaborations and co-writes are a powerful way to get you out of your comfort zone and creating something different

11. Feedback on your music is essential to improving your craft

12. What and how much you consume is directly related to your creative inspiration

13. Habits are the building blocks to consistent creative output

14. Looking 5 years into the past to see what you’ve accomplished as a musician can give you instant motivation and encouragement

15. Looking forward 5 years will get you excited about what your music career could look like

16. There is a difference between your job, hobbies, career, and vocation ‒ learn the differences

17. The blockchain has amazing potential for the future of the music industry

18. Music royalties can be confusing, but they are important to understand

19. Creating music at any stage can be one of the most frustrating yet rewarding things

20. Pick your thing, do it well, and clients/fans will find their way to you

21. To turn your music into your career, you have to play the long game (keep going!)