Which Subjects Can I Study In High School To Become A Musician?

Are you wondering which subjects you can study in high school to become a Musician? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about which subjects you can study in high school to become a Musician.

Who Is A Musician?

A musician is a person who composes, conducts, or performs music. “Musician” is a general term used to designate one who follows the music as a profession. Musicians include songwriters who compose music as well as write lyrics for songs, conductors who direct a musical performance, or performers who perform for an audience.

A music performer is generally either a singer who provides vocals or an instrumentalist who plays a musical instrument. Musicians may perform on their own or as part of a group, band, or orchestra.

Musicians specialize in a musical style, and some musicians play in a variety of different styles depending on cultures and backgrounds. A musician who records and releases music can be known as a recording artist.

Types Of Musician

1. The Hobbyist

The hobbyist just wants to enjoy music. They will write, record, and/or perform for the sheer joy of it.

Hobbyists can become skilled musicians over time. It’s just that they have no career ambitions, so it’s not about booking gigs or selling albums. It’s about enjoying the craft of music itself.

Sometimes, hobbyists will come to embrace the career aspects of music and look for ways to turn a dollar from their passion.

2. The Independent Artist

The independent artist refers to anyone who is pursuing a music career independently. It doesn’t matter how big or small, if you aren’t signed to a label, and you’re building a career in music, you are an independent artist.

That said, there are many types of artists that fall under this umbrella, like:

• DIY artists
• DIY artists with a team
• Unsigned artists (with or without a team)
• Artists who’ve turned down label offers (with or without a team)

We see no need for deeper categorization, though, because that just makes things more confusing. An independent artist is just that – an independent artist.

And this doesn’t mean that they must be doing everything themselves. There’s always the opportunity to tap into your network for help, and if you’ve got a big enough following, agencies, publicists, and others might want to work with you too.

3. The Independent Label Artist

An independent label artist is someone who’s laid the groundwork of building a profitable music career on the back of an engaged fan base, small or large.

But just because an artist is signed to an independent label doesn’t mean they aren’t just as well-known, if not more well-known, than major label artists.

Why is that? Well, these days major labels own many of the independent record labels you’ve come to know and love.

An argument could be made that artists signed to independent labels aren’t as mainstream or don’t have as much of a marketable image as major label artists, but for the most part, there isn’t much of a difference.

4. The Major Label Artist

By default, most major label acts are the superstars of the world.

That isn’t to say some major label artists never get off the ground. Some who sign a major label contract are never given the attention they deserve, and some acts are even let go of because they fail to meet sales expectations.

But for the most part, we feel differentiating between superstars, rock stars, and major label acts is redundant.

5. The Post-Label Musician

Some artists fulfill their major label contract and don’t renew, quit, or end up going completely independent (sometimes after lengthy legal proceedings).

In the industry, these types of artists are sometimes called “direct to fan” artists. What’s funny about this term is that it makes these acts look like Mickey Mouse operations compared to major labels when that simply isn’t the case.

There are plenty of post-label musicians that keep and even grow their following and earn more because there isn’t anyone taking a cut of everything they earn. Truth be told, some artists can even lose their identity while working on a label and prefer returning to their independent roots.

6. The Songwriter

Not all artists write their own music. And these days, the industry is built around acts who sing and dance, but rarely write their own material.

Songwriters can work from anywhere, oftentimes in private. They write lyrics and music, and sometimes record demos too. Some songwriters are even producer-composers (more on this later).

Some songwriters record and perform their own material, but many others do not.

The songwriter is often in pursuit of that elusive hit. They will earn royalties on any song they write, but the big payday is usually on the back of a big hit.

7. The Session Musician

Sometimes, they’re asked to lay down a part in the studio. Sometimes, they are asked to go out on tour with a major artist.

Session musicians are generally experienced, skilled, and adept on their instruments. They can usually sing backup if needed, and some are event virtuosos.

8. The Producer-Composer

Producer-composers tend to work behind the scenes in isolation, though some of them do end up rising to prominence.

Their work often involves making music for media, including radio, TV, commercials, films, video games, and more. Of course, the hip-hop producer-composer has also emerged as an archetype in the last couple of decades.

Sometimes, producer-composers will also be involved in sound design, and this can be quite meticulous work, as it involves timing realistic sound effects with TV shows and films.

Now, as with any other type of musician, it’s important to know that producer-composers are sometimes singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists. They might even have a solo career or play in a band.

9. The Orchestral Musician

This should be relatively self-explanatory. Orchestral musicians play in orchestras and usually hold down a steady orchestra chair. In many ways, they are like a session or gigging musician.

A professional orchestral musician usually spends most of their time playing with one orchestra.

Orchestras are often known to perform classical music, but at times might be called upon to perform film and video game music as well.

Orchestral musicians are generally knowledgeable, well-educated, and highly practiced.

10. The Teacher

Music instruction is a popular profession. It tends to offer steady pay, gives you an opportunity to share your knowledge with the up-and-coming generation, and allows you to get paid for your passion. Further, teaching music tends to offer some flexibility, since most lessons take place after school hours.

Guitar, piano, and vocals tend to be the most popular instruments, but of course, there is some demand for everything from drums and banjo to bass and ukulele.

Music teachers get to spend plenty of time learning, preparing for lessons, and they can even create customized curriculums for their students based on how they’re progressing.

For some musicians, teaching is simply how they earn their pay, and they spend the rest of their time writing their own material, playing in bands, or even composing.

High School Subjects To Become A Musician

• MUSIC
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE
• HISTORY

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