Hello! Nostalgia back at it again! Over 3 years ago, I made an article listing where bands could perform because I was in one and have been scouting places myself. There wasn’t and still isn’t much information or guidebooks for bands, so it’s been a pleasure to create a lot of resources as I created, promoted, and performed with my own band.
Back then, I played rhythm on the electric guitar, and that shines best in a group. But in 2025, I picked up the ocarina, which is a beautiful melodic instrument, and has more potential to be played independently. I started by playing hymns at my church, but I wanted to continue to grow and challenge myself on the instrument, thus me considering other places where I could play. While some places can work for both solo and group acts, I realized that there is a lot more places where soloists can perform since they don’t require the same space and set up as a band, and can suit more solemn and sensitive scenarios as well.
So if you’re a solo musician, and you’re trying to gain more experience or even more money, I hope you’ll find many places that you may have never considered before~
1. Open Mics
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $0
While I listed open mics for bands as well, I think there are way more establishments that have open mics for solo acts because of limited performance space and because it’s a lot faster. Open mics are great if you want to get your feet wet and just start gaining experience performing in front of people. They are free and open to pretty much anyone regardless of your skill level or experience.
Some may allow you to sign up in advance online or via phone, while others will have a sign up sheet at the door so they don’t have to worry about no shows. I’ve also seen some places put all the names in a hat, so everyone, regardless of the time they arrive, would have a fair chance of getting on stage that night. Of course that means you may make the trip and not get to play, but regardless, it’s good to watch other acts and learn from them. How do they play? How do the engage the crowd? How do they shine on stage? You can also make connections at these places and try to promote one another.
But all in all, open mics are great as the crowd doesn’t know who you are. If you’re confident in your music and want to gain more flowers, be sure to announce who you are and your social media handles before and after, and also bring some business cards in case anyone asks after you leave the stage. But if you’re a little shy and worried about making mistakes and embarrassing yourself, you can remain somewhat anonymous and you won’t have to worry about that moment following you forever.
2. Public Busking (Sidewalks, Boardwalks, Parks)
Cost to You: May Need Permit | Money to Be Made: $-$$
If you’re hoping to gain more experience playing in public, but without the pressure of a whole crowd staring at you, why not try busking? In general, busking just means performing in public for tips. A lot of stars have made their start busking like Ed Sheeran, Justin Beiber, and Yui. Unlike venues or events that will limit your time and tell you what you can and can’t do, busking gives you free reign to play as you feel and to engage with people more freely. If you want to practice the same song 5 times within the hour, that’s perfectly acceptible. After all, most people will only be passing by, so no one is going to notice.
As a busker, you have the potential to make money, but how much you make comes down entirely to you. It’s worth watching some busking YouTube channels for tips on what to wear, where to set up (make sure you don’t mess with another musicians territory), the best song choices, and how/when to engage with people (ie, some may try to start a convo mid-song). And of course, be sure to have a sign with your name and social medias so others can follow you too!
The only catch to busking is that you will usually need a permit, especially if you live in a city. These may not cost that much though. For example, Toronto’s busking permit is only $50 for the whole year, and it allows you to play in any public area except our busy downtown square. So even if you’re only busking once a week or twice a month, I’m sure you could make more than 5X that money back!
Of course, how much you make is entirely up to you. I saw this reel the other day, of a guy who said he only made a few cents his first time busking. A homeless or crazy looking man approached him asking to play his guitar, and he was so defeated that he said sure. The guy would ask people passing by if they knew or liked a certain artist, and would start playing. He’d replace the artist name, but play the same song. And that guy made like $20 in the same time. So if you’re serious about making bucks, or even making this a full-time income, be sure to do your research and learn from YouTubers who are making a living or decent supplemental income off busking.
3. Private Busking (Public Transit Stations, Halls)
Cost to You: May Need Permit | Money to Be Made: $$
Similar to public basking, private busking is also an option. The main difference is that these are on private property, so the owners of that property will have their own requirements, auditions, or permits for you to play there. However, if you get accepted, you have secured a spot in a higher traffic area, and you will probably have shelter in the rain, heat in the winter, and AC in the summer, making it a whole lot easier to play more consistently.
In Toronto, our public transit system, the TTC, has a pre-established section for musicians to play. It’s usually on the walkway or the floor between the bus platform and the subway area. According to their website, they have competitive auditions every 3 years, and if you win, you are authorized to play at a specific spot during that time. So if you’ve wondered why you always see that native flute player at Finch station, that’s why. Considering the amount of traffic the TTC gets, this could potentially be a good long-term and full-time job.
Other places to consider are halls, arenas and museums. They may appreciate musicians who can provide entertainment or distractions while people are lining up or waiting for the main attraction to start. Even if you never see musicians there, perhaps no one ever asked, so it’s worth a shot. Below, we’ll be listing other private establishments that may be more than welcoming to you playing your music there!
4. Cafes & Restaurants
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $$
In general, cafes and restaurants are places people will sit down to unwind with their latte, or to enjoy some food with friends and family. While some people may prefer a quieter place to work or read, they may not mind some background music, as long as it’s not too distracting. A lot of these places are already playing music on their speakers, so you would just be replacing that for a set or two.
Obviously, it’s very rare to see live musicians at these places. I’m aware that some places don’t have the space or means for a live performer, but I think the bigger reason is that no one has ever asked or volunteered to play there. They wouldn’t look for acts themselves if they’re barely making ends meet, but if you’re willing to play for free, and/or can prove that your presence may increase customers and business, I’m sure they would be happy to have you. If you’re a regular, they can also promote you on their end to try to attack potential customers as well.
The main thing I would want you to consider is if your music would fit the vibes of that place. An indie bar may be more open to an original guitarist playing his own music. A more high end or somber establishment where people usually sit alone and work or read may only care for bossa nova or jazz on the piano.
When I had my acoustic Japanese pop duo, I was aware that there was this newer Japanese maid cafe in my city, and the maids would perform dances a few times a day, thus they already had a stage and the crowd would be expectant of performances. We emailed and they said to come in. We met the owner, who had no idea who we were (the message wasn’t passed on), and she seemed open but a little hesitant on the idea. She was too busy to ever get back to us on next steps, but hey, it was worth a shot! I think I also looked into some manga cafes, but they were really out of the day. If we were covering general western pop music, there would have been more places I could have considered, and probably could have had various gigs already!
5. Bars & Clubs
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $$$
Obviously, the most common place where you can get a gig is a bar or club. Live entertainment is their forte, and they expect acts to entertain the crowd and keep them there for longer so they can serve more drinks and food. Thankfully, these places would already have a stage or section for you to play, a long with mics and a sound system ready to go. These places that are more active during evenings and weekends, and of course they tend to be 18/21+ due to alcohol, so keep that in mind if you have work or kids to attend to.
Additionally, because these establishments are more aware of the value of performers and what they can do for business, most are already prepared to pay. Or should I say some? It’s been known for ages that bars may ask you to play in exchange for ‘exposure’, or may only offer you a free drink coupon, so be sure you ask and understand the conditions up front. It is understandable for them to ask you to play once or twice for free to see how you do, but if you’re a regular, be sure to ask for some kind of incentive, and be willing to walk away if they refuse. I’m all for playing for free if you’re a rookie musician who needs experience, but if you know your value, I’m sure another establishment would be willing to pay what you’re worth.
These kinds of gigs will usually ask you to prepare 1 or 2 sets, and that usually means playing for 45-60 minutes, which is about 12-15 songs. You would also be expected to engage with the audience, making banter and keeping them entertained. This requires a lot of practice, so while exposure and a couple fans are nice, you deserve compensation. You should be making at least $100-$200 per night. Other places may charge a door or cover charge if you are the act for the night, and you will get to keep a percentage or all of the procedes. Again, be sure to ask how they work, and see if it’s worth the time and effort you will have to put in the play for these kinds of gigs.
6. Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $$
Similar to bars, but quite different are wineries, breweries and distilleries. These are places that make and serve their own unique drinks or may offer a variety of high end options that may not be available elsewhere. Thus, the clientele are a little more classy, and they will take their time with their drinks and be open to more conversation. A lot of them go for the atmosphere, a good drink and some good company. And what else can add to the atmosphere than musicians?
While I don’t drink and thus I don’t visit any of these places, I can attest that the atmosphere is pretty chill and welcoming thanks to an experience not long ago. I was hired last minute to play the musician in a Christian music video and the shoot was to take place Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, we had to change venues last minute as the photography studio didn’t want drums, but we managed to find this other place not too far away….but we wouldn’t have access to it for another 3 hours (about 9pm).
Thus, we asked if we could chill at the brewery next door, and they were more than welcome. The place was quite big as it was previously a warehouse, and they had quite a few picnic tables and benches set up. Anyways, they were super accommodating to our group of at least 30 people, they served us their non-alcoholic drinks, allowed us to order pizza and eat there, and gave us a corner to run through the song and practice the choreo together. The other guests who were there didn’t seem to mind at all, and some even enjoyed the singing. If we were at a club or restaurant, none of this would have been acceptable, that’s for sure, and more so us singing a Christian song glorifying God. It was a very relaxed environment, and we were all so grateful of their openness and kindness, especially since we would have been stranded in the cold otherwise.
Just like all the other places above, if they don’t already have musicians at their establishment, you’re always free to ask and inform them of the benefits. As long as you sound good, many places are open to entertainment, especially if you’re willing to play for free while they wager if it’s worth it. If you have a great reputation already, it’s worth making a pitch, and let them see the additional business you can help bring in.
7. Conventions & Festivals
Cost to You: May Charge To Audition/Application Fee | Money to Be Made: $0-$$
While this may sound very intimidating for the rookie, it can be a dream for anyone who have experience and wants to share their songs with new people. You may be surprised to know that, outside of the biggest festivals like Coachella, a lot of these events actually host local acts, and may even be open to rookies. What matters most is that your music or style fits the event, and that you reach out as early as possible since they will need their list of acts before they start promoting, and that will start promoting months before the event.
My very first gig was actually at an anime convention. We weren’t big enough to have our own set on a big stage, but she was willing to give us a spot during the opening and/or closing ceremonies in which multiple people will have the stage for about 10 minutes each. The other condition was, due to the space, we were only allowed an acoustic gig, but we were willing to take anything for experience. When me and the singer formed a duet the following year, she offered us a 30 minute set on an actual stage. For both, she had to see and approve of our song list, but otherwise, we had freedom on how we wanted to run our set. All in all, thanks to her giving us an option, we at least had social proof to make our pitch to the biggest Japanese festival in Canada. I just sent an email with your website, bio, and links, and they were open to having us. ^_^ ‘Started from the bottom, now we here’ in only a 2 year span.
All that to say, finding a convention or festival that suits the kind of music you play is key. The anime convention was open to us because we played anime songs. What made it hard finding another gig at a different convention was that they weren’t ready or willing to host a band. Anime bands are quite rare, and while a couple existed in the city before us, we were the only one at the time. Anime conventions are used to hosting singers, dancers, voice actors, artists/sellers, and screenings, but there was no place for us, nor anyone to share the stage with for them to consider creating a block and space for bands. But if you’re actually looking into a musical event, like a bluesgrass festival, or a jazz convention, there is even less reason for them to reject you unless the competition is fierce. And even then, they may just opt to give everyone a shorter time to accomodate more acts, because the more acts they have, the more people they can expect to come.
As for money, if it’s a smaller or newer convention or festival, they shouldn’t expect you to pay anything (may only ask for your general entrance/admission fee, but most would omit that since you’re considered a guest/act), but you also are unlikely to make anything. If it’s a more established convention or festival, they may have an audition process that may cost money to enter. If you get in, they may also have a table or booth for you to set up your merch and CDs, and that’s where you could make the most money. If you are actually on their list of class acts, they may either pay you a certain amount upfront, or split the proceeds between you and the other performers.
8. Galleries, Museums & Art Exhibits
While these places tend to feature visual arts and guests may generally prefer a quieter environment so they can focus and appreciate the masterpieces, some quieter background music can also be appreciated. Galleries are known to hire musicians to play at exhibits and openings, and to teach kids or run programs. They also hire musicians for private parties. Call me uncultured, but I didn’t even know you could rent art galleries for parties until one of my exes invited me to his work party at one. I don’t recall all that was going around us, but I do believe there were musicians or music somewhere.
Additionally, a lot of galleries and museums actually hosts events like music night. In Toronto, the ROM (Royal Art Museum) regularly hosts a ‘ROM after Night’ event, and their intro reads “ROM After Dark (RAD) is a one-of-a-kind 19+ nighttime celebration packed with live music, multiple dance floors, exciting performances, and mind-blowing visual art. Each themed event transforms ROM into a whole new experience with live DJ sets, interactive workshops, and unexpected moments waiting around every corner. No two RADs are ever the same!”. The AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) apparently has a stage and they occassionally hosts events where a variety of musicians and orchestras perform. So if you didn’t know this was a thing, now you do!
9. Private Events (Weddings, Parties)
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $$-$$$$
If you really want to make money, private events is where all the moola is. This is best if you already know many songs in a certain genre (ie pop, blues, acoustic), and are willing to learn additional songs at requests to make the event more memorable for the client. I get that some of you may only care to play your own music, but at private gigs, people want to hear songs they already know so they can party, dance, and sing along with their loved ones.
So, how do you get these gigs anyways? There’s about 4 main options:
1. Word-of-Mouth. ex. Your mom knows a friend who knows a friend who is getting married, and she told them you play piano. As long as you’re open to it, it’s yours.
2. Join a Gig Site. You would put all your information along with links or samples on your profile. People who are looking for a local musician will browse and reach out to whoever they think fits best.
3. Get in Touch with Promoters/Planners. There are individuals like wedding planners or managers who are responsible for finding people who can fit a one-time need. While some wedding bands are actually bands, others are just a compilation of independent musicians who can learn songs quickly and show up as requested.
4. Promote and Reach Out. You can inform venues and wedding planners of your services, have your own social media pages and websites for others to find, and just wait for people to reach out to you. hope people will reach out to you
While you may not get gigs quite often due to the amount of competition, at least you’ll make pretty good money when you do. The standard is $150-$500 for a private gig, and $500-$1000 for a corporate one. Depending on the kind of gig, you may not even have to play for long either. A wedding ceremony may only need you to play for 15 minutes and that’s all, but you must have more songs available if things are delayed for whatever reason. I had a work Christmas party a few years back at a private section in a restaurant. They hired a solo guitarist to play and sing throughout, which was about 3-4 hours? I don’t know how much he made, but I’m sure they paid him decently.
Each private gig is different, and the kind of event will determine what else you may be required to do. Sometimes, you get to be in your own world and just provide soothing background music. Other times, they may want you to engage and keep the audience entertained. Sometimes, you’ll get to just stay on the stage the whole time, and others, you may have to stand or move around as the guests move. You may be outside in the heat for a wedding, or you may be in a nice cool restaurant for an intimate party. You must be prepared and flexible when you accept these kinds of gigs since the people hosting it may not know the needs of musicians, and they expect you to bring what you need to do and do what you gotta do to deliver. This is usually a memorable day for them, thus there are bound to be more cameras or videographers around, so don’t mess this up!
10. Funerals
Cost To You: $0 | Money To Be Made: $$
While also a private event, I wanted to put this in it’s own category as it definitely works differently. Funerals are probably the one place where a band would never be hired as musicians aren’t there to entertain, but to provide a safe environment for people to process their emotions and grieve.
If you don’t mind the concept of death and you play a softer melodic instrument (ie. flute, clarinet, cello), this is where you could make a lot of your money. It’s especially great if you’re currently a shyer or stiffer performer who doesn’t exactly desire attention. People may notice the music, but they’re not going to watch or pay you much mind.
If you want to get started, reach out to the funeral homes in your area and inform them of your services. They can then inform their clients that you’re an option for an extra cost. You have the potential to play for both the funeral and the burial, but the whole thing should only take an hour or two of your day. If you aren’t fond of evening gigs, funerals are great as they almost always take place during the day. And if you prefer to keep your weekends clear, most people opt for weekday funerals to save costs.
11. Talent Shows & Fundraisers
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $$
You may be surprised to know that talent shows do exist outside of school. In many cases, they are an event hosted by your local library, community centre or theatre, or they may be hosted to raise funds for a community or purpose. They usually aren’t organized months ahead of time, so you would have to keep up with their upcoming events and inquire once you hear about them. It’s a great way to build local support and also connect with other musicians and performers.
While they may be accepting of all acts, the more entertaining acts are more likely to be enjoyed and remembered by the audience. But thinking back to my high school days, spoken word and other artistic acts can certainly draw in the audience and make them experience an emotion they haven’t in a long while, and thus, will be remembered in their own unique way. The beauty of talent shows is that you have no idea what you’ll get to see or hear that day, and anyone who wasn’t there will likely miss out on something beautiful or memorable.
For example, during a leadership trip back in my high school days, I recall having a talent show one night and people went up and did a variety of acts, from music, to comedy, to silly skits. But honestly, the only part that I recall to this day was a young man who shared a poem regarding his late younger brother. It was quite intimate and many of us cried. It was a bonding moment for all of us for sure.
12. Talent/Music Competitions
A talent show is a chance for the community to come together, share their talents, and bring awareness or raise funds for a worthy cause. The stakes aren’t high so people are free to experiment and be as crazy or unique as they like. A talent competition on the other hand is a chance for some of the best local talents to go head-to-head to see who is best, and win a prize or contract.
Competitions have a lot of benefits. For one, if you’re competitive like me, you will find yourself working harder and pushing yourself further to prepare for it. Two, these competitions are likely to be promoted a lot more fiercely, and some may even be hosted online or on TV, thus more exposure for you whether you win or lose. And Three, if you do win, you are likely to win a nice monetary prize, or even a contract or cool opportunity, like having your song released, or getting to tour and open for a bigger band.
Even if the prize is mediocre, there is pleasure and bragging rights in winning. That alone can give you the confidence you need to go further now that you have confirmation that people like your music or unique sound. And if you don’t win, it’s always a learning opportunity. Maybe your playing is great, but your stage presence is lacking. Maybe you just tend to crash and burn under pressure. Be sure to take the notes and tips from the judges and audience, and perhaps try again the following year!
13. Fairs, Amusement Parks & Exhibitions
Cost to You: May Need Permit/Audition Cost | Money to Be Made: $$$
If you live in a bigger city, it may be worth checking out local fairs, parks and exhibitions. While the fun rides and unique foods are what intrigues people to check them out, people will take breaks to browse around and check out the shops, games, and acts as well. Acts are especially precious as they are often free entertainment while people are eating or just taking a break.
In Toronto, during the last 2 weeks of summer vacation, we always have ‘The Ex’. My family has gone there almost every year, so I’ve been on many of their rides countless times before. One time as a young adult, I went with my mom and my sister, so my mom took her on the children rides, but I decided to go off on my own and explore. I stopped to see an acrobatic act on a stage near the walkways, and went into the main building to watch a dog show. I didn’t have money to buy anything, but I also checked out the store area which had the cartoon bag, and some guy had me sit down for a demonstration of their pots. There’s so many things to see and do at these places, so of course they’re going to love having musicians that they can set up around.
Similar to private busking, these places usually have their own audition or application process. Obviously, the bigger names get the bigger stages, but it’s still worth seeing if you can play in an area with a lot of foot traffic, or at other places where people may relax like in the food court, in the park, or near the swan boat dock. And if they don’t accept you that year, get your busking license and see if you can play near the exit or the closest bus stop as that’s also going to have crazy foot traffic, and people may be waiting for quite some time for the next bus.
14. Hospitals & Hospice Care Facilities
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $0-$$
If you didn’t know, hospitals love musicians, and so do the patients. Music is known to have many mental and emotional benefits and can help improve memory, energize individuals, and provide a sense of connection. Hospitals love musicians who can play for individuals or a room of patients to spark some joy and hope. While hospitals love volunteers in general, many of them do have budgets or are willing to pay more serious and committed musicians. Definitely check our your hospitals website and see what their application process is like. Even if you’re a volunteer, you may have to be tested ahead of time and prove that you have all your shots, lest you be a risk to their vulnerable patients.
Hospice care is where people who are dying will usually stay. Hearing is usually the last sense to go, so even in their last days, they can find some joy, comfort, or peace by hearing beautiful music and going down memory lane. In these cases, the patient’s loved ones may be the person to reach out to musicians to play for them during this time.
15. Care Homes & Retirement Homes
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $-$$$
Similar to hospitals, Care Homes and Retirement Homes love having musicians for their clients for their mental, physical, and emotional benefits. The main difference being that the clients are paying more to live here, and thus management will often have a budget set aside for external entertainment. In most cases, you will perform a set for a large group of people at certain times, think midday/midweek, but they may be open for individual performances as well. Definitely reach out to some homes near you and see what can be arranged.
16. Churches
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $0-$$
I will say, as someone who fears God, you should only serve at a church if you are an actual believer in Jesus Christ, for your sake and theirs, worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth ( ), but I have to include it on this list as church gigs can be a stable, long-term income for many solo musicians. Some naturally work alone, like pianists and organists, but even if the church has a band, the individuals are chosen independently and can be swapped or replaced as needed.
Many small churches make only enough to pay the rent and bills, and thus rely on volunteers from their congregation to fulfill all the roles needed. While bigger churches may also prefer volunteers, if the church doesn’t have musicians or don’t have any willing participants to play their songs, many have resorted to hiring external musicians to fill that role. When a couple churches found my Bandmix page and asked if I could play for them, money wasn’t brought up as I was willing to serve my Lord freely, and was happy to continue playing guitar and gaining experience, but if you require or expect financial compensation, be sure to ask in advance.
Also be aware that different churches may have additional expectations for their musicians. The two churches I played at may only have a short review or run through right before the service on Sunday. Other churches may require you to come out midweek to rehearse the songs and run through the setlist in detail. If you’re the only pianist at the church, you may also be expected to come to the choir’s rehearsal to accompany them. Some churches also have multiple services, evening services, prayer meetings, and other events and they may expect you to play there as well. If there are multiple musicians, they would usually schedule and rotate as needed, but if there are multiple musicians, then you also can’t expect to be paid as they may not be able to afford paying every musician on the team. So again, be sure to inquire and ask what your responsibilities would be and whether or not you can expect to be paid.
17. One-on-One Performances
Cost to You: $0 | Money to Be Made: $$-$$$
You know how in the renaissance days, it was common for a king to bring someone in to entertain them, whether it be a minstrel or a jester? Even in the bible, we have a story where young David was called to play his lyre for King Saul, and anytime he did, Saul’s tormenting demons would flee (1 Samuel 16:23). Well, just because we now have CDS and streaming to listen to our preferred music anytime, doesn’t mean solo performances has ceased to exist. I haven’t done a whole research on this yet, but just like how a couple may hire a band for a wedding, there are people who may want to enjoy music without other distractions or noise, without having to go to a big, musty venue, squished up amongst other people. Live music will always have a certain energy and intimacy that recordings won’t. I would expect the client to make requests as well, but who knows what goes on as it is a super private experience.
18. Host Your Own Concert
Cost to You: Depends On Platform | Money to Be Made: $0-$$$
We live in a day and age where you don’t have to wait for someone else to host something if you want to get on stage. The only issue is, it will cost you money to rent a venue, and you will have to do all the promotion yourself, unless you pay someone else to do that for you too. The average venue doesn’t really care who plays there, but the question is, can you afford it? Do you have enough of a fanbase to sell enough tickets to cover the cost of everything?
While venues are certainly great, it’s worth checking out your local rehearsal studio first. While they have rehearsal rooms for bands to practice, a lot of them also have a stage and seating area for rent as well. Best of all, they are usually pre-equipped with mics, monitors, speakers, soundboards, and lighting. And maybe for a little extra, a staff member can handle the sound board and sometimes even the videography or livestreaming during your concert.
Another option is your local bar or cafe. While they wouldn’t want you to interrupt their normal business, sometimes they are closed at certain hours or days, and would be open to someone renting the booth for another means. Always remember that many establishments are only ran by an individual, family, or team, so they are quite flexible and open to anything that can bring in extra money, assuming it wouldn’t tarnish their reputation or damage their possessions.
If you have the space, you can also host a home concert. Invite your closest friends and family, ensure there’s some drinks and refreshements, and entertain your loved ones for a couple hours. You can also open the stage to anyone who would like to perform and create a fun, intimate, and memorable evening for everyone.
19. Be A Session Musician
Cost to You: $0 | Money To Be Made: $-$$$
While session musicians are most known for being the ones who come to the studio and help to cover or create the parts for a brand new song, they may also be contracted to join the artist as the perform and tour to promoting their tracks. Session musicians are also regularly called in to complete a one-time band for events like weddings and private parties. Or they may be asked to fill in while an official band member is unavailable due to sickness or vacations.
All in all, there is a variety of opportunities and money to be made as a session musician. The most important thing is to make connections with a variety of hosts and planners, along with other musicians as they can recommend you when someone is in desperate need of one. If you’re interested in this as a career choice, it’s worth checking out FoolishFrankie’s YouTube channel. He’s a saxophonist, and he blogs about his ventures, receiving a gig, practicing the setlist, showing up to rehearse with the others, and sharing clips of whatever happens on stage. It’s not always perfect considering the circumstances, but the crowd usually never notices or cares.
Of course, to be a session musician, you have to be at least a late intermediate to advance musician as you will be expected to create music, read proficiently, and/or learn many songs in a short amount of time. You may also have to play by ear and improvise. If the singer decides to raise the key to keep up the energy with a hit song, even if it was never rehearsed, you need to be able to follow along and deliver. So be sure to evaluate your own skill level objectively, lest you disappoint the people you work with and you gain a reputation where no one cares to hire you again.
20. Perform Online
Cost to You: May Need Permid+Audition | Money to Be Made: $$
If you aren’t having much success getting the above gigs, or maybe you just live in a small town and the only local bar has their own favourite acts already, you can still gain experience performing in front of others online.
There are websites like Omegle (thought it has shut down in 2023) that allows you to talk to strangers, and many YouTubers have gone on there to play songs or requests for whoever pops up. I think this is especially great if you want to work on your stage presence and banter. You also don’t have to share your name or anything, so you don’t have to worry as much if you crash and burn. Ray Chan also created a new app called Tonic where you can practice and perform in front of a virtual (but real) audience to gain points and rewards, a great incentive if you’re a little lazy and need motivation.
If you already have a following online, you can also host your own digital concert. You could do a free concert and stream it on YouTube, or you can use a site like StageIt to sell digital tickets and make an income for yourself. The only thing I would highly recommend if you are considering this path, is to ensure you have quality equipment to capture your instrument’s sound. This may require a condenser mic and an audio interface so your computer can process the sound and people can truly enjoy your music.
Bonus: Animal Shelters
If you’re a super shy individual, or just really love animals, you may be pleasantly surprised to hear that animal shelters love musicians as their music can help sooth them and calm their anxiety, and thus making them more likely to be adopted. Obviously, this would be more of a volunteer thing, and you’re not exactly performing for a human audience, so I wouldn’t include it in the main list above, but hey, experience is experience. I’m sure the staff may overhear you as well and they may be the ones to recommend you to your first wedding gig!