3 Things You Need To Become A Full-Time Composer
Becoming a full-time composer is a dream for many musicians, but the path isn't always clear. Luckily, there are three key elements that can guide any aspiring musician into a successful, full-time career composing music.
By finding your unique voice (sensibility), building your ideal music studio (setup), and having the talents that sell in the music industry (skill), you can rise above the competition and turn your passion into a rewarding music career.
In this blog, we'll dive into each of the 3 S’s, sharing tips on how you can improve your musical craft to become a successful and in-demand composer in the industry:
Watch our video for more insights:
Finding Your Unique Musical Voice: Sensibility
Finding and using your unique sensibility is important for any composer who wants to make a mark in the music industry. Sensibility is your personal musical identity—it's the creative expression that’s reflected in your music and sets you apart from others. The biggest film composers, like Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman, have one-of-a-kind sensibilities that makes their music instantly recognizable.
Becoming a Professional Composer
The journey from an amateur to a professional composer is largely driven by the development of your musical sensibility. In the beginning, composers practice by copying music they love. But true professional growth starts when you move beyond imitation and start creating your personal musical style.
Finding Your Musical Sensibility
To develop your sensibility, start by:
Exploring Broadly: Dive into a range of musical genres and styles to find what resonates with you and your creative voice.
Reflecting on Influences: Make a list of artists that influence your work and what you’ve learned from them. This reflection can provide ideas into your own style preferences and artistic vision.
Feeling through: While composing music, pay attention to what feels most authentic and effective in expressing your musical ideas. Don’t second guess yourself or force decisions in this process.
Your sensibility affects every aspect of your music career, from the types of film projects you receive to how well you deliver. By defining and refining your musical identity, you empower yourself to stand out in a competitive market and attract projects that are meaningful and rewarding.
Building Your Ideal Music Studio: Setup
In the demanding industry of music, having an efficient and productive setup is a must. Your creative workspace and the tools you choose directly impact your ability to meet tight deadlines and produce high-quality music quickly. A well-organized setup allows you to focus on the creative process, ensuring that you can work effectively under pressure and deliver polished music on demand.
Balancing Technology with Creativity
It’s easy to get caught up in wanting the latest keyboard or string library. Remember that tools are meant to serve your creativity, not define it. The true measure of a professional composer is their ability to produce amazing results, no matter their musical equipment. It’s not about having the most expensive setup, but having the right setup that complements your workflow:
Simple and Strong: Master the tools you have instead of chasing new gadgets.
Adaptable: Find tools that can serve you in almost any musical project.
Choose Carefully: Don’t buy new gear that’ll just sit on a shelf collecting dust.
Customizing Your Music Studio
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to setting up your music studio. Each composer’s setup should reflect their personal workflow and creative vision, helping them freely express their sensibility.
Hybrid Workspaces: For most composers, a standard desk setup can serve as a versatile music studio that works for diverse projects.
Mobile Setups: For those who travel or prefer a minimalist approach, a laptop, a good pair of headphones, and a portable MIDI controller can work just as well.
Dedicated Studios: Some composers might benefit from a more elaborate setup, like multiple screens for writing music and watching films, live recording booths, and a collection of hardware synths and instruments.
By thoughtfully designing your creative workspace, you can enhance your productivity and ensure that your setup supports your musical endeavors.
Bringing Your Talent to the Music Industry: Skills
Composing Music for ALL Kinds of Films
Professional composers understand that no two films are ever the exact same. Composers need to be versatile, able to create music that fits different stories—from the soft melodies of romance to the high-energy beats of action and drama.
This flexibility means you need a solid understanding of popular music genres + when it’s best to use each of them. The ability to change your approach to fit with the emotional and narrative needs of every film will set you apart in the music industry.
The Art of Reverse Engineering
Understanding and recreating a client or director’s vision is another vital skill for composers. This process, known as reverse engineering, helps you listen to existing film scores or reference music provided by a client and understand how + why they work.
By mastering this technique, you can deliver compositions that meet clients' expectations on the first try. Keep these three elements in mind when reverse engineering a composition/score/song:
Structural: Where are the softest and loudest moments of the composition?
Instrumental: What sounds are being used? What audio processing are they going through?
Thematic: What’s “leading” the composition? Is it a driving rhythm? A soaring melody?
Keeping Up with Music Industry Trends
Professional music composers must be aware of what’s happening in the music industry. This means understanding current musical trends, big advancements in music production (like AI), and the changing preferences of audiences and clients.
Keeping a finger on the pulse will help keep your music from sounding “dated” or old, a death sentence for most composers. By continually upgrading your skills and staying relevant, you can make sure that your compositions not only resonate with today’s audiences, but also anticipate future trends.
Wrapping Up: Composing Music Professionally
The journey to becoming a successful full-time composer hinges on mastering the pivotal elements of Sensibility, Setup, and Skill. These three S's form the core foundation that distinguishes an amateur from a professional.
Sensibility helps you carve out your unique musical identity, making your work distinct.
Setup makes sure you can deliver quality music quickly and easily, streamlining your process.
Skills will keep you sharp at your musical craft, making you top pick for clients/directors.
Feel free to share this blog with fellow musicians and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more helpful content!
