So, you're a musician and would like to get into the recording arts? If you want to do this professionally, there are a few things that you need to really think about before you start seeking gigs or schools. You are going to need to understand your art deeply. Education is an important part of your career. You could be classically trained or self-trained, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you are talented and devoted to your art. You are also going to need to be able to handle criticism and seriously hard work. You are going to need to be a self starter and again, super devoted to your craft.

What is your niche? In other words, where do your talents lie? What genre of music do you most thrive in? If you are into more mainstream music, that would be the most lucrative for those that are into music production. Luckily, there are many different genres that are in mainstream music. There are plenty of bands out there that were once underground that are much appreciated. It doesn't matter as long as you have the work ethic to work hard and see benefits from it in the long run, too.

Now that it has been decided where you talents lie, you need to look into what you need to put into yourself so that you can market to the preferred fan base. As with most media outlets, it is important to look good. Individuality is important, but so is beauty. This is not always the case, but it is good to think about. It is just necessary to draw the fan base in.

Going Independent:

If you are interested in keeping it real and sticking to the independent subculture, then props to you! There is no real reason to "sell out" the way that musicians used to. With the independent industry, there are a lot more artistic freedoms that are afforded to you. They don't dictate your every move, which is a fantastic break from the mainstream record companies.

Recording and Producing:

If you really just want to produce and record music, this is also fairly lucrative. Keeping it behind the scenes is not always a bad thing. There are plenty of famous producers out there. There is one thing to think about, however. There are many people out there that can make sick beats and have been trying to break into the industry for years. What is necessary is a true creative edge and some real originality. There are plenty of beat masters out there, but can you best them with what you create?

In Conclusion:

Depending on where your talents lie, there are many options. All of these options need music education to back up what talents you do have. I'd even go as far as to recommend background courses to understand how the business is run. The recording arts is a great industry, don't squander your talents.