About This Music Career

A Band or Recording Group records music professionally – or has done so in the past. For the sake of simplicity, Recording Group will refer to a group or an individual artist. They be involved in any type of music including rock, pop, folk, country, jazz, R&B, rap, or classical. Many groups start out as bar bands, performing in small venues like lounges. Others begin their careers by writing music and recording nothing more but demos. A group generally does not have any reason to record until they sign a recording contract. In terms of the music they record, the Recording Group may or may not use material they have written themselves. If they are to perform songs they did not write, they need to locate these songs, which can be done more easily with the help of a good A&R person, Music Publisher, or Manager.

Once songs are found, Recording Groups take it upon themselves to learn and rehearse the songs until they know them well enough to record. When the time comes to record, Engineers, Arrangers, Session Musicians, and/or Background Vocalists all play their part in the recording process. After songs are recorded, the Recording Group works will the many departments of the record company to ready for the release of their record. This includes sitting down with the Press Department to supply information to be used in press kits and releases. The Recording Group may then work with the Promotion Department to set up appearances, while working with the Art department to go over concepts for the album cover.

The work of the Recording Group isn't done once the record is released. They must work to promote the album, which includes things like having Recording Group members visit radio stations to meet with Program Directors, Music Directors, and Disc Jockeys. They will also most likely embark on a concert tour, while giving interviews to print publications, and radio and TV shows along the way.

Also, while a Recording Group may taste success with one album, they might be easily forgotten, which is why it important they keep coming up with hit records.

Salaries
There are too many influencing factors to determine earnings for Recording Groups. These factors include how the group splits money among themselves, how popular they are as a group, how their recording contract is structured, and more. Even if their first record is a hit, Recording Groups will lose profits to record companies who need to recoup the expenses of making the album. With that said, if a Group is able to sustain success, they can make hundreds of thousands or even a million dollars – other earnings come from concert tour sales, public appearances, and merchandising.

Employment
Today, and more so than in the past, there are many more independent record labels, giving way to the opportunity for more and more people to potentially reach success. Also, many people can record material from the luxury of their own homes and even sell the material on the internet. However, getting signed by a major record label is still incredibly difficult. Many groups give up before they secure that major detail, but a group with talent, perseverance, and luck might just make it.

Advancement
While securing a record contract is difficult enough, there is plenty of room for advancement for the Recording Group. The first way they can advance their career is to secure a place on the charts. From there, they can advance by moving up the charts. The next goal would to probably get within the top ten, and then ultimately the #1 spot.

Education and Training
While there is no formal education requirement, some type of music and/or vocal training is necessary in order to master the craft of whatever genre they are specializing in

Experience, Skills, and Personality
To stand out from the rest, Recording Groups should have charisma and the "it" factor, with the ability to maintain excitement of the crowd while performing. It goes without saying, but members should be talented musically and/or vocally, and should have an understanding of the music and recording industry. To be in the right place and time, one must have perseverance and luck.

Unions and Associations
Recording Groups may be members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), or the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which is the association that gives out Grammy award. They might also belong to the Country Music Association (CMA) or the Gospel Music Association (GMA) if they perform music of those genres.

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