MUSIC

Music is one of the most profound human achievements and serves as a universal sound which can create emotions and express feelings. Music also soothes the mind. There is rarely anybody who would say that music had not touched in some way at some time in their lives. True, the prime significance of music lies in its unison with inner chords of our life, creating a harmony that often translates us from the immediate din and bustle of life to a state of relaxation and enjoyment. But it would be rather novice to say that the significance or utility of music ends here. It is rather the beginning point. Apart from all the lengthy speculations as to the utility of music and so on and so forth, music today has turned out to be a great career option.

With the immense growth in the entertainment industry, career in music is increasingly turning out to be a lucrative option. Talent, genuine interest, sincerity and willingness to work hard can guarantee a big success in the field of music. Having an in-born talent to sing is a wonderful gift. But making a career out of this talent, demands regular devoted practice. Joining an institution and getting trained is one of the first step towards making a career in Music but the main emphasis should be real dedication and commitment. 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. At the same time one needs to have publicity- contacts with the right people, money for training and for making demo cassettes for commercialization.

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.

Today the advent of Satellite television, the growing popularity of the music channels and corporate sponsorship of musical events, have all made music big business. Although fame and money in this field depends a lot on luck and getting a good break, once you are established there is ample scope for making good money in this field.




For such a field 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 usually 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 are 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. Course areas include music theory, music interpretation, history of music, composing, voice instruction, etc.

Some of the known professional courses in Music are:

• B.Arts (Hons) Music


• B.Arts (Visual Art/Music/Dance & Drama)


• B.Arts Music


• B.Arts in Tabla


• B.Fine Arts in Sitar


• B.Fine Arts in Tabla


• Certificate course in Music


• Certificate course in Music and Dance


• Certificate course in Music Appreciation and Music


• Diploma in Music


• Diploma in Sitar


• Diploma in Tabla


• M.A Music


• M.Phil in Music


• Ph.D in Music

Talented and qualified persons can find numerous employment opportunities in this field with the advent of satellite television, music channels, etc.

Various employers in this area are:

• Television channels like Doordarshan


• AIR and private FM channel stations


• Music channels


• Government departments of culture and public relations


• Production houses


• Music troupes


• Music research organisations as a musicologist


• Music companies


• Educational Institutions, Kala kendras, etc.


• Hospitals as music therapist


• Newspapers and magazines critic or correspondents in music.


• 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.

Today with music getting into the league of big business, there are a list of careers one can choose from in the Music Industry. 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.

Music composers / Songwriters: Those with a flair in writing and an inborn talent in music can take up the career as a music composer. A composer creates and writes music, may combine it with lyrics to give a new song. Musicians in this field create music or lyrics alone or create both together. Composers are required to write music creatively based on their knowledge of sound, understanding of various musical styles and taste of the audience to which it has to be presented. A song writer or lyricist must understand the theme, mood and audience, the music into which one is putting words. There are a separate category known as Jingle writers who specialize in writing music for radio and television commercials.

Singers / Performers: Performing artists may work alone or in a group with or without musical instruments. One could be a classical or pop artiste or an instrumental musician. Performance careers differ widely and depend a great deal upon the instrument played and the performance medium. A high standard of musical and technical skill is required and expected from performers in all areas.

Artist / Music Management: This is considered as one of the emerging options. Artist management is the planning, organising and negotiating of an artists' career. They work in the business area of music and deal with the tough, unpleasant stuff behind the scenes. The work involves meeting with radio and television producers and getting air time for their artists, negotiating with recording companies and programme sponsors, etc. Perseverance and knowledge of music and media industries are vital. Experience and training in Music as well as a business background helps to be successful in the field.

Music Journalist: They review performances and recordings, conduct interviews with performers for various publications and write music reviews. They give news and updates on new releases and performers. Some may work as music critic also. This is one of the options available in music field for freelancing. They can also work for newspapers, magazines and websites.

Music Educator / Teacher: Teachers can open music schools and also conduct private classes. Music teaching is often in demand at schools, colleges, universities and institutional set-ups. Their main job is to instill an interest and enthusiasm for music among the students.

Music Therapist: Music therapists are a unique breed of musician-counselors, with specialized training in the use of rhythm and melody to improve psychological and emotional well being. Emotional stability and insight are essential for competent therapists. They must have the ability to explore, interpret and develop the creative use of sound.

Musicologist: With good knowledge of music, an aptitude for research and excellent communication skills, one can work as musicologist in research institutes.

Video Jockeys (VJs) and Disc Jockeys (DJs): With the advent of various music channels video jockeying is becoming an exciting career option for the music mad generation. Their job include introducing a music video, conducting interviews with artists and music personalities.

Music Librarian: Colleges and public libraries offer opportunities for trained music specialists with knowledge of library and research techniques. Some opportunities for music librarians also exist in radio, television, and motion pictures. In addition to any music qualification they need to have bachelors degree in library and information science.



Among the attributes, one that tops the list is a good voice. Other attributes include inherent talent, dedication, determination and hard work, creativity and adaptability, team work, accept criticism in the right spirit, self confidence, ambition, etc. To build a career in music, you also need to have sound knowledge in the field. For instance, there are various job options that revolve around Recording or Sound Engineering. For that you need to be a qualified person who, besides having sound technical knowledge regarding the recording technicalities also is strong in the theoretical as well as practical aspects of music.

Another word of significance: you are suitable for a career in music only when you have this confidence in you that you can stand periods of struggle. Remember it is still not a 'mainstream' job option for the mass, so to say. It calls for that element of metal in you.

Music Akhil Bhartiya Gandharv Mahavidyalay Mandal, Bhramanpuri, Miraj-416410 Maharashtra Andhra University, Vishakapatanam-530003 Andhra Pradesh Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005 Uttar Pradesh Indira Kala Sangit Viswavidyalay, Khairaghar-491881 Maharashtra Kala Academy's Goa College of Music, Panaji-403001 Goa; M.S.University, Baroda, Pushpa Baug, Vadodara-390002 Gujarat Nagpur University, Rabindranath Tagore Marg, Nagpur-440001 Maharashtra Punjab University, sector-41, Chandighar-160014 Punjab Rabindra Bharati University, B.T. Road, Kolkata.-700050 West Bengal Rukminidevi College of fine Arts-600041, Chennai Tamil Nadu SNDT Women's University, 1 Nathibai Thakarsey Road, Mumbai-400020 Maharashtra Sangit Bhavan, Vishva-Bharati, P.O.Santiniketan-731235 Gujarat Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra , College of Music & Dance, New Delhi-110001 Delhi University of Delhi, Delhi-110007 Delhi University of Mysore, Crawford Hall, Mysore570005 Karnataka

India as a country has always had a rich cultural base and music has played an important role in establishing it as a nation with a heritage to boast of. Whether it is the famous Tansen, in the Akbar's court as we read of in history books or the popular A.R Rahman whose cassettes and CD's we come across at every music store, the song composition scene in India has vastly changed over the ages. It is here that we have seen music greats like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Bhimsen Joshi and it is here that names like Khayyam and R.D Burman have flourished.