A little bit of inspiration for you….. People say a career in music is hard and it’s true. Though nobody tells you the positives and the ways to make a living out of it. You may even come in contact with negativeness such as; ’that’s not a real job’ ‘get a real job’ ‘it’s hard to break through.’ The latter being the truer out of the lot. Being a firm believer in that if you put your heart and your mind to anything, you can achieve it!

But for me personally…. I remember seeing a video by a philosopher called Alan Watts entitled ‘what if money was no object’. I watched it at the most perfect time in my life. After leaving university and thinking, “what I’m I to do now?” ‘With all the dreams of being a rockstar’ which I persuade though deep down it’s not what I wanted to do. It’s only took me till now to really understand what I do want to do with my music.

After watching the video I said to my self, “well I taught a few people while I was studying in college and university why don’t I do that I’m clearly alright at it, maybe?”…. But what’s made be good at it now is after 9 hour long days for the past 7 years. Is grabbing my books and continuing to study into the early hours. Learning all that I can on all aspects of music. There’s not been a question I couldn’t answer in a lesson and its all down to this continued work. I also want to say that experience is such a big factor in excelling as a teacher. With each lesson that goes by I come up with new systems and ways to teach people in the quickest and effective way.

Teaching was the first thing I thought to do, but there’s been a few things now. They include playing cover gigs which I sing most weekends and jumping up for occasional guitar and bass duties. Recording and mixing to which I’ve done one album and loads of songs. Helped composers and songwriters with their works. Been asked to help out on a few projects.

I’ve been offered a job in nearly every private music school in Liverpool and just yesterday a took a new job as a peripatetic Teacher. I sometimes think, “why do people keep calling me up?’, but then again I think….cause you work your bloody ass off boy! Like some weird karma where the universe can see that you don’t stop and deserve somewhat of a break.

Why I’m I telling you all this?…. well if you take anything from reading this its that hard work pays off and to see that there’s loads that you can do to make a career in music, think outside the box! So many people theses days want everything now, but learning something like an instrumental gives dedication which I think carries over in all aspect of life. It’s also why I strongly believe music should be a priority in Schools…..(I’ll get onto this rant another time haha!).

Just a sort list that’ll help you pay the bills:

Teach (more instruments the better)

Cover work (agencies)

Session work (helps to read)

Get into a touring band (contacts)

Recording and Mixing (Mastering if this is your thing, but there’s a reason why it’s called mastering).

Songwriter (contacts, research)

Choir Master (loads of jobs if you look)

Sound Engineer (get out there, contacts)

CruiseShip (reading a must)

The internet! (search there’s all new ways to use your skills, take that fiver as an example)

And that just to name a few!

If you need any extra advice on what you need, what you should know, who can you speak to, just let me know! There’s a lot I’ve left out here to stop it boring you. This is my personal experience other people may say different and that of course is absolutely fine, there’s not one way to do anything ESPECIALLY in music and there shouldn’t be. Friends of mine are smashing it in other fields and I’m sure they will be happy to offer their insight. I’m really happy in myself as of late and seeing so many of friends doing so well too is just beautiful! 30 next year, it's not all bad!

Thanks for reading,

Neil Potter

That Alan Watts video, I hope it moves and inspirers you.