Singer Career Information
Talent, genuine interest, sincerity and willingness to work hard can guarantee a big success in the field of music. Having an inborn talent to sing is a wonderful gift.
What a Singer does
Making a career out of this talent, demands regular devoted practice. Joining an institution and getting trained is one of the first steps towards making a career in Music but the main emphasis should be real dedication and commitment.
Today the advent of satellite television, the growing popularity of the music channels and corporate sponsorship of musical events, has all made music big business.
Singing through television can be included in one’s repertoire of avenues as it can prove to be a good start. One should try to participate in music-based programmes, contests, opening montages for products, occasional telefilm and so on and also network with advertising jingle producers.
Job Opportunities
As a Singer you can find job opportunities in:
Just as there is a wide variety of forms in music like classical, folk, jazz, pop, fusion etc there are also a variety of opportunities in this field.
Besides becoming a performer (vocal or instrumental) or a teacher, one can be a composer/song writer, music publisher, music journalist, Disc Jockeys/ Video Jockeys, Music Therapist, Artist manager/PR and so on in the Music Industry.
They can even undertake challenging performance in concert halls, small or large ensembles, in studios as recording artists, and live shows in lounge settings, pubs, nightclubs, etc.
They can also work for film industry as playback singers. One can also try their hand as a “track singer” where in they will have to work with the music composer to get the song in-tune before it is sung by a play back singer.
Talented and qualified persons can find numerous employment opportunities in:
• Television channels like Doordarshan
• AIR and private FM channel stations
• Government departments of culture and public relations
• Production houses
• Music troupes
• Music research organisations as a musicologist
• Music companies
• Educational Institutions, Kala kendras etc.
• There are also many opportunities for self-employment in the form of holding private classes at home or opening a music school or producing and directing independent programmes.
Career Prospects
As long as there is music, films and festivals, music as a career is a sweet melody. Singing competitions on television too have given an easy platform to many to start a career in singing.
Music videos, films, television all need singers to survive. Also weddings, festivities and religious ceremonies, all call for good singers.
Abilities & Traits Required
Among the attributes, one that tops the list is a good voice. A person considering a career in music should have a genuine love for music, a musical sense, which means a sense of time and rhythm, besides versatility, creative ability and also stage confidence.
Other attributes include inherent talent, dedication, determination and hard work, creativity and adaptability, teamwork, accept criticism in the right spirit, self-confidence and ambition.
A high standard of musical and technical skill is required and expected from performers in all areas. At the same time one needs to have publicity- contacts with the right people, money for training and for making demo cassettes for commercialization.
Qualifications
Education: There is no specific qualification required to enter into this field. However, to take up a course in this subject the basic requirement is 10+2.
Courses offered in this area are certificate courses, bachelor courses, diploma courses and post graduate level courses.
Duration of various courses: Certificate course is of one year, Bachelor courses is of three years, Diploma and Post Graduate level courses is of two years.
Training in this field is imparted by many schools and institutions. Most prominent among them is Kalakshetra in Chennai and The Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi
Salary
Although fame and money in this field depends a lot on luck and getting a good break, but once you are established there is ample scope for making good money in this field.
A track singer singing for an album earns Rs 5000 a song whereas a well-established playback singer can earn a few lacks on a single song. Singing for weddings or other such functions can earn Rs. 10000/- a day.