Being a musician is an incredible journey filled with passion, creativity and, let's be honest, a bit of hustle. But who says you can’t make a great living doing what you love?
Whether you’re rocking out at local gigs, teaching the next generation of musicians or streaming your latest tracks online, there are countless ways to make money with your musical talents. In this article, we'll explore how to make money as a musician and turn your passion into a sustainable career.
21 ways to make money as a musician
03. Sell merchandise
05. Digital sales
09. Session work
13. Music therapy
01. Perform live gigs
Live shows are a classic way to earn money as a musician, and they can provide a steady income and increase your exposure to a broader audience.
Your style of music and personal preferences will guide your choices. Focus on a specific niche, like singing in jazz clubs or corporate events, to build a reputation and become highly sought after for similar gigs. That way, you can charge more competitive rates, earn a higher income and have financial stability, which is the holy grail of making a living as a musician.
02. Teach music lessons
Another way to make money with music is to share your knowledge and skills through lessons. You can offer private lessons or group classes. You could even sell online courses to aspiring musicians, like the folks at Jazz Lesson Videos.
Teaching music is similar to starting a tutoring business. So, consider creating a website and using scheduling software to market your lessons and manage bookings. For the most part, you can teach music both in person or online, depending on the genre and whether it involves an instrument. However, offering online lessons enables you to reach more potential students.
03. Sell merchandise
Selling T-shirts, hats and other branded merchandise can be a great way to make money, especially if you have a dedicated fan base. To sell merch, you’ll need an online store.
If you're not sure where to begin, consider starting a print-on-demand (POD) business. POD involves printing and producing merchandise only when someone orders it. So, it's a low-effort and low-investment option, as you can create the designs yourself or hire a designer at an affordable price.
Read more:
04. Stream your music
Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music pay mechanical royalties when listeners stream your music. And since streaming continues to hold the biggest share of music revenue, with a record high of $14.4 billion in 2023, it's a great way to make money as a musician with minimal effort. You only have to create your tracks and partner with a distributor to get them on the streaming platform.
That said, you need to market your music to increase plays, but this should be a core part of what you do as a musician anyway.
05. Digital sales
Another way to make money as a musician is to sell digital copies of your songs or albums directly to fans. You can do so on digital stores like iTunes and Bandcamp. These platforms allow you to set your prices and retain a higher percentage of the revenue compared to music streaming services.
Alternatively, you can sell your digital downloads directly through your own music website to avoid paying fees to another platform.
06. Monetize your YouTube channel
Many musicians got their big break after being discovered on YouTube. Justin Bieber, for example, was found by his former manager, Scooter Braun, through a cover video on the platform. One Direction's Louis Tomlinson discovering Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer is another good example.
YouTube has over 933 million users in 2024, so uploading your music videos to the platform can increase your exposure to a massive audience. You also can make money from ads displayed on your YouTube videos through YouTube's Partner Program.
However, to generate passive income, you'll need to build an engaged audience who will click through the ads. Once you're eligible for the Partner Program, make sure to place ads that are relevant to your subscribers and not too intrusive. You want to gain more followers and make money, not scare them off.
Learn more:
07. Crowdfunding campaigns
A crowdfunding campaign can be ideal if you're just starting out. Raising funds through sites like Kickstarter and Patreon can help you scale your music career by funding new instruments or equipment. Fans can contribute through one-time donations or monthly subscriptions to access your music and related content.
A prime example is Amanda Palmer, a cabaret indie rocker, who raised over $1.2 million in her 2012 Kickstarter campaign thanks to contributions from nearly 25,000 fans.
08. License your music
Licensing your music for TV, film and commercials and having big brands use it for their ads can be another effective way to earn money as a musician. You may have to sacrifice some creative control, as many brands are particular about the music and art that represent them. However, if you can make it work, it can be profitable in the long run.
Here are some musicians who made money with ad placements:
Dirty Vegas: Their song "Days Go By" was featured in a 2003 Mitsubishi car ad, leading to massive success even though the band eventually broke up.
Fun: Their song "We Are Young" appeared in a Super Bowl ad for the Chevy Sonic, gaining them significant attention.
Babylon Zoo: After a Levi's jeans ad featured their track "Spaceman," it became the fastest-selling single by a UK artist.
09. Session work
As a session musician, you can get paid to record tracks for other artists or music producers. You might provide backing vocals or contribute to specific parts of a song. This can be an easy way to make money since you just have to show up, deliver your part, get paid and leave. There’s no added responsibility of promoting or selling the music.
However, when working “for hire,” you must follow the artist’s or producer’s instructions, leaving little room for your own creative input.
10. Music production services
If you're skilled in mixing, mastering or producing tracks, you can make money by creating music for other artists without having to take responsibility for the song's financial and viral success. The artist pays you to create music for them, which they then promote and sell.
With this approach, you can build a network of established and emerging musicians, which opens doors for future collaborations.
11. Write music reviews or blogs
If you have a knack for writing, you can start your own music blog (you’ll need a blog maker) and then monetize it through sponsored content, display ads and subscription services. You could use your blog to review other music artists, write about popular music trends or share tips and knowledge with aspiring musicians.
Learn more: How to start a blog
12. Compose for commercials or online games
Composing original music for commercials, video games or other media can open up new revenue streams and help you make money as a musician. You’ll need to work closely with the company or agency requesting the music, and you may have to adhere to strict guidelines for the type of music and the finished product.
This type of work can be lucrative, especially if it leads to more opportunities to compose or sell your music to other brands.
13. Music therapy
Music therapy is a healthcare profession that uses music to address people's physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. Music therapists use various musical activities—such as listening to music, singing, playing instruments and songwriting—to help individuals achieve therapeutic goals and improve their overall well-being.
If you're qualified, music therapy can be a great way to use your skills to help others and get compensated for it. But even if you’re not a certified music therapist, you can create music for therapists to use with their clients or in their sessions. You can also advise them on the best type of music for different needs.
14. Music festivals and workshops
Countless music festivals and events happen around the world every year—from the COAST Is Clear Music & Arts Festival in Key West, Florida, to the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England. Many musicians make money playing at these events, and you don’t need to be a big headliner to earn.
Participating in a music festival can expose you to big crowds and create networking opportunities that may lead to future gigs or partnerships.
Read more: Music business ideas to start in 2024
15. Songwriting for other musicians
Songwriting involves creating lyrics, melodies and harmonies that fit an artist's unique style and genre. So, you must first understand their audience and what they want before you collaborate with them.
You can earn money when writing songs for other musicians through:
An upfront fee for your songwriting services
Mechanical and performance royalties whenever the songs are performed, recorded or streamed
Licensing fees for the songs to appear in movies, TV shows, commercials or video games
The best way to succeed as a songwriter is to build a strong reputation. Therefore, attend music industry events, join songwriting communities and actively promote your work through social media. The more your name gets out there, the more opportunities you’ll have to work with well-known musicians and secure high-paying gigs.
16. Sell vintage cassettes, CDs and vinyl records
Vintage cassettes, CDs and vinyl records aren't just old-school relics—they're goldmines for musicians looking to diversify their income. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 43 million vinyl records and 37 million CDs sold in the U.S. in 2023, showing just how popular these formats are.
Music fans crave the experience of handling a record, admiring the album art and enjoying vinyl's unique sound quality. By selling physical music formats, you can tap into this nostalgic market and attract dedicated music lovers.
17. Host or stream live music shows
Another way to make money as a musician is to host in-person or virtual live performances.
You can use platforms like Eventbrite to handle ticket sales for in-person shows or Zoom, YouTube Live or Facebook Live to livestream virtual concerts. You can even offer different ticket levels and include special perks like virtual meet-and-greets or exclusive content.
18. Affiliate music marketing
Affiliate marketing is where you earn a commission by promoting other people’s products or services. In the music genre, you can join programs like Audimute, Fiddlershop or Guitar Center. These programs focus on musical products or services, like high-end custom instruments or online music classes. But make sure to read the fine print so you know what you’re getting into.
Once you join an affiliate program, create content featuring those products and share your affiliate links to earn a commission whenever people purchase those items through your links.
19. Transcribe songs into sheet music
Music teachers and students are always on the lookout for good quality sheet music. You can transcribe popular or challenging pieces and sell them to music schools or directly to students. You can even create bundles of songs tailored to different skill levels. This way, you'll be able to help learners improve their skills while making money.
20. Play music mixes as a DJ (weddings, parties, etc.)
As a musician, you probably know how to mix and curate different music genres. Even if you don't, you can learn the technical aspects of DJing—such as beat matching, mixing and using DJ software—fairly quickly since your existing musical talent gives you a solid foundation.
Once you've mastered it, you can create different DJ packages to suit various event needs and budgets. You could even include additional services, like lighting, emceeing or photo booths.
21. Instrument repair and tuning service
Many musicians struggle to find reliable repair and tuning services, and your knowledge of how various instruments work can fill in that gap perfectly.
So, take time to sharpen your repair and tuning skills—plenty of courses and apprenticeships are available to help you get started. Once you're confident in your abilities, you'll find that there's always demand for quality work, whether you’re fixing a guitar string, tuning a piano or restoring an old instrument.
How to start making money from music
Starting your own business as a musician can be exciting yet daunting. To help you out, here’s a step-by-step guide:
Outline your revenue streams. Will you focus on live performances, teaching or a mix of different income sources? Define your value proposition and target audience clearly so you can tailor your efforts to meet their needs and maximize your earnings.
Draft a business plan that details your objectives, strategies and financial projections. This document will serve as a roadmap for your business if you plan to look for funding beyond your own savings or family.
Develop a brand that reflects your music and personality. Choose a business name, design a logo (use a logo maker for this) and create a cohesive image across all marketing materials and online platforms.
Create a professional website and social media profiles on various platforms. Use an easy-to-use website builder like Wix and optimize your website for search engines to boost visibility.
Invest time and resources into creating a high-quality product or service, whether it's recording a new music album or setting up a teaching studio.
Decide on a business structure (such as sole proprietorship or LLC) and handle legal requirements like registering your business and getting the necessary licenses or permits.
Open a business bank account, set up accounting software and create a budget. Keep meticulous financial records from the start and understand your business tax obligations.
Promote your business using various marketing strategies, like social media marketing, email campaigns and networking within the industry.
Protect your intellectual property by copyrighting your music and trademarking your brand. Talk to a lawyer if you’re not sure how this works.
How to set yourself up for success so you can make money as a musician
Let's now look at four key aspects of building a profitable music business.
01. Define your value proposition
The first step is to nail down your value proposition. What makes your business special? It could be your unique sound, the way you connect with your audience or maybe a fresh approach to teaching music.
For example, if you play a rare instrument, like the Ðàn Tre from Vietnam, or specialize in an unusual genre, you could find a niche market that's eager to hear your performances or learn from you.
02. Identify revenue streams
A profitable music business doesn’t rely on a single source of income. Instead, it taps into multiple channels, like live gigs, merch sales, streaming royalties and teaching music lessons.
Many independent artists often combine what they earn from shows with online tutorials and custom merch to keep the money flowing consistently.
03. Build branding and marketing strategies
Having a strong brand and knowing how to market it effectively can help you stand out in a crowded space. Successful musicians usually have a unique image or story that clicks with their audience.
Think about a band with a cool, distinctive style that connects with fans through social media, building a loyal following that turns into sales and bookings.
04. Establish sound financial management
Getting a handle on the business side of music—budgeting, accounting and investing in your career—is super important for long-term success. A musician who tracks their expenses and income, invests in good gear and saves up for future projects can keep their business running smoothly, even when times get tough.
Making money as a musician FAQ
How can I start making money from my music if I'm just starting out?
Start by recording quality music that people would want to hear. Then, get active online and use social media to connect with fans. You can also think about offering music lessons to bring in some income from the get-go.