Composer Chat: Can You Make a Living as a Composer?

It's a question many musicians want to know. Can they make a living writing music? Whether that's scoring films, writing music for video games, composing for TV the question is much the same. Guy Michelmore has been doing just that for over thirty years so here is his take on this question. IN the vidoe Guy analyses the state of the market, where the opportunities are and where they are not.

[malcolmjacobson]

"Can you imagine an industry, where 90% of the time you lose money." ... Yes, the Music industry. Though I'd say it's more like 95% of the time.

[jasonp]

I’m a mechanical engineer. I found this very interesting and genuine. In a parallel universe, I chose music as a career instead of a hobby. I’ll always wonder what if. Good luck to those of you who follow your dreams instead of the safe choice. For me, I’ve always said, “I’m a good enough musician to know I’m not a good enough musician.”

I’ve also said half-jokingly, “I’d be a professional musician if there were such a thing.” (Yes that has two meanings, and Guy speaks to both in this video.)

Thanks Guy you’re a joy and inspiration to watch!

[zmortis]

Not a composer myself, but the advice you just gave fits so well with so many different professional endeavors. 1) Know how to do the job. 2) Know how to follow instructions. 3) Bring something more to the job that is desirable than everyone else.

[TRoducts]

These composer chats are really great! Please keep doing this!

[SteveSensenig]

Yes, please keep content like this coming! I enjoy almost anything you put out there, but please do more of this!

[darkjoedickie]

Very insightful! As an aspiring game composer I would ask that you cover more on topics like this. I'd also like it if you would make a video that more clearly defines what level the industry expects composers to be at. Basically I'm looking for a roadmap of skills I need to have an adequate handle of. I should probably just email the school like you said. lol

[GuyVignati]

Interesting analysis indeed.
I think that the statistics you showed address the main problem: everyone today has the tools (it has never been cheaper in the history to make music..), but very few have the knowledge and the craft.
Besides I think also many focus too much on the technical side (quality of production, mix etc): that is obviously important, but more important than that it’s the music itself. I mean people should be humble enough to STUDY the music, especially the composers of the past; that’s the only way to achieve good writing and then concentrate on finding your personal voice.

[SiGhast]

I went to bed last night feeling hopeless and woke up to this and regained some spark. You could not have timed this any better.

[Cues]

Absolutely love this! Thank you so much for you continual sobering optimism, Guy!

[jaykarimi]

Yes! More like this please! Thank you for your honesty & candor. This information is VERY much appreciated.

[christopherwall]

Thank you Guy! Composer with aspirations so doing my homework research and this video very clear and straightforward.

[roogrey]

Fabulous, Guy! I'm pleased that you highlighted the need for one's own 'Voice' in order to stand out. Of your listed criteria, I believe it's the hardest thing to find because it's the one thing that can't be learned. It has to be uncovered as part of one's own journey. I feel as though I have FINALLY found mine, or simply the confidence just to be myself, so perhaps that's why this resonated. I have found that people are responding to my work in a way they didn't before, and are asking for more, so I think it's the 'secret sauce' we're all after! Thanks for a superb channel; I love it!

[frankiehands]

Composing has been my full time gig for 4 years now. Not only just making a living, but doing quite well. Anything is obtainable, but I really think a certain level of obsession is required. Not only to get better at your craft, but also the amount of output necessary to make it in this field requires quite an effort (I've delivered over 600 songs/cues in a 4 year span) it's not easy and it isn't supposed to be, but to anyone reading this who is serious about it...I BELIEVE IN YOU

[TheJamHammond]

Thank you Guy, sometimes when you hear from experts on this topic, in any field, they can come across as quite cynical and jaded and put you off. This video manages to softly deliver the blow of the real world difficulty involved without completely sapping the drive to still aspire to it.

[getkilted]

SOOO GOOD to hear advice on this subject that is constructive and uses actual examples - thank you so much!

[davidedmondsmusic]

Thank you Guy. Really helpful video. Would be great to hear an example of what “professional” production sounds like compared with amateur production. Not everyone will recognise this and will send what they think is excellent!

Really value your videos. Thanks so much.

[AnthonyBadenSaggers]

Thank you sir.
I've been focusing on film, but perhaps I should reconsider that based on your advice.

[MrBond-xscr]

This is great! I'm currently in college for composition and I'm hoping to do video game composition as a passion. I'm very happy to hear that it's growing so much!

I also really appreciate how you line up what really makes a composer qualified when it comes to finding a job. I'm still new to this all, but one of the biggest problems I've had is trying to find out what exactly I need to work on/aim to do. This helped a lot!

[prism]

Thanks Guy! Feels similar in a lot of creative industries right now. Your advice applies there, too: get your stuff up to par, have your own voice, and follow the flippin instructions! 😅

[jvcouk]

Nice work, Guy. There are so many folk on YouTube etc, setting beginner's expectations high for what success looks like, whereas the reality is hard. Thanks for explaining this.

There's a parallel with writing (fiction) where widespread computer availability lowered the skill threshold for writing. It enabled more folk to enjoy creative writing, with many of them having dreams of becoming a successful author and generating a steady comfortable income. In truth [I think] about 10% of writers finish a substantial work, 10% of those approach an agent, a small fraction of those reach publication, and a small fraction of those enjoy success with their book.

I'm a hobbyist in sound design/composition, and in writing, but I don't have a realistic hope of going all-in to bid for work in such a competitive environment. I really enjoy it, and don't want to put anyone off with what I've said here; I've really restated the problem you set out in this video, and I'm all for equipping folk with realistic expectations and the tools to pursue their dreams.