Drum Jobs For Aspiring Musicians

drum jobs

Many aspiring drummers dream of careers in which they perform on large stages and are surrounded by thousands of fans. But only a small percentage of musicians actually follow that path to the end. Most of the rest find themselves working other jobs to support their musical career or giving up on their dream altogether.

This isn’t to say that drummers can’t have a successful music career, but it does mean that you should plan on having another source of income if you want to do it right. There are a variety of time-tested ways that a talented drummer can piece together a decent living, even if they never become famous or play for a legion of fans.

The first step is to learn everything you can about drumming. That means taking lessons and learning all the songs you can. Then, once you’re comfortable with the basics, start looking for gigs in your area and see what’s available. If you have a good recording of your playing, hand it out to potential bands and clients. It’s also a good idea to get a website set up and start posting your material online. Many aspiring drummers have landed huge gigs just by posting video and audio of their talent on social media sites.

Some drummers work in a band, either as a full-time member or as a hired musician. This can be very lucrative if you’re good enough, but it’s important to remember that this is a lot of hard work and there are very few guarantees. A lot of people who try to make a living by playing in a band end up going broke or having to give it up because they can’t manage the long hours and travel that comes with this career choice.

If you’re not the type of person who wants to spend a lot of time on the road, you can also consider a job in the percussion industry. This can be a great option for aspiring drummers because it allows them to stay close to their instruments while working in other areas of the industry. For example, a drum tech works directly with a musician’s equipment during a performance. This job is critical because if a head breaks or something else goes wrong, the drum tech is the one on call to fix the problem.

A percussion technician works with all kinds of different cymbals and other percussion instruments, including horns and bells. This is an excellent option for aspiring drummers because it’s an entry-level position with lots of opportunities for advancement and it gives you a taste of the music business without having to go through the hassle of auditioning for a performing gig. Also, it’s a great way to keep your skills sharp in case your performing career doesn’t take off as quickly as you hope.