2026/01/04
This time, I would like to share some common traits of people who cannot become professional musicians or make a living from music.
There are several common characteristics among those who fail to become professional musicians. These traits are not necessarily linked to a lack of talent. Rather, they often relate to effort, environment, mindset, skills, and the ability to build relationships. Below, I will explain in detail the common traits of people who struggle to make music their profession.
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1. Effort is misdirected
The music industry is highly competitive, and simply creating music or improving technical skills is not enough to succeed. Many artists focus on technical skill development, but if their effort neglects other important factors, the path to success can feel distant.
Imitating favorite artists
Without personal expression or individuality, merely copying the artists you admire will result in getting lost in the crowd. It’s natural to want to emulate musicians you admire, but doing so without creating your own unique value diminishes your worth. Strive to create your own distinct charm and identity.
Thinking inviting friends to your live shows is effort
A common scenario in band activities is sending messages to friends to attend shows. This is entirely meaningless if your goal is professionalism; relying on friends to fill seats won’t make you a professional. Inviting family or friends to milestone shows like solo concerts or album release events is fine, but do not use acquaintances merely to meet ticket quotas.
Relying on bandmates for audience numbers
Some bands exchange live show attendance with other bands—going to each other’s shows in exchange for reciprocal support. This only circulates money and effort within a small circle and does not develop a real fanbase. Bands that appear to have many fans might just be filling the venue with friends and acquaintances.
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2. Lack of self-management
While the music world is creative and free, it also demands strong self-management. Professional musicians must manage schedules, secure practice time, handle marketing and promotion, and sometimes manage their own business.
Practice frequency
Consistency in practice is crucial. Professional musicians often start training in childhood, practicing hours daily for years. Starting late—like picking up guitar in high school or voice training at age 20—is considered delayed in this industry. Late starters need to dedicate even more intensive time to practice and securing practice space. Saying “I was too busy today” or “I can’t practice tomorrow” is incompatible with becoming a professional. Treat practice like a full-time job, dedicating long hours daily.
However, the most successful musicians are those who enjoy practicing rather than feel obligated. Focus on positive motivation, such as practicing because you want to, not because you must.
Frequency of social media posts
Consistency is key in online marketing. Many start with the enthusiasm to post daily but gradually lose momentum. Planning posts in advance and scheduling them can help maintain consistency.
Without self-management, practice and activities become irregular, and business outcomes will suffer. For most people, securing practice time, space, and marketing must be built from scratch.
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3. Lack of willingness to keep learning
The music world constantly evolves. Keeping up requires continuous learning—new production software, techniques, music theory, and industry trends. Skills that took years to acquire may now be achievable in minutes for beginners. Clinging to old methods without adapting to trends risks becoming obsolete.
4. Underestimating networking and relationship-building
Technical skill alone is not enough in the music industry; relationships matter. Networking can lead to collaborations, opportunities, and exposure. For instance, if you want professional-quality photos but don’t know a photographer, you hire one. If you know a professional photographer, you rely on them instead. This is the power of networking.
Even the best compositions won’t be commissioned if you’re not connected to those who want them. Building trust with producers, managers, agents, music writers, and fellow artists is essential. Neglecting this limits your chances of success regardless of talent.
5. Inability to accept criticism
The music industry is critical. Feedback comes from fans, industry professionals, and self-assessment. Professionals grow by accepting criticism and using it to improve. Rejecting feedback or stubbornly sticking to one’s methods hinders adaptation and recognition.
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6. Not understanding your strengths
Many aspiring musicians lose sight of their unique strengths or compare themselves unfavorably to others. Every musician has unique attributes: appearance, singing ability, instrumental skill, humor, unconventional approaches, or perspective based on age. Recognizing and leveraging these strengths is crucial. Simply copying successful artists won’t make you stand out. Your perceived flaws might be someone else’s talent, so focus on discovering your individuality.
7. Letting anxiety and impatience affect actions
Success in music takes time. Impatience can lead to chasing trends or losing authenticity. Seeking quick results often erodes uniqueness. Professionals maintain a long-term perspective, steadily building their path.
8. Neglecting continuous effort
Talent and luck matter, but sustained effort is vital. Many face setbacks and obstacles; overcoming them and persistently challenging oneself is essential. Giving up too soon or demanding immediate results prevents real growth.
For example:
Imagine ice in a room at -10°C. After one year of effort, it reaches -9°C, still frozen. After three more years, -5°C, still frozen. After five more years, -1°C, still frozen. Only when it reaches 0–1°C does it start melting. Success often feels sudden, but it is the result of consistent effort toward the threshold.
9. Underestimating the business side of music
Technical skill alone cannot ensure success. The music industry is commercial. Understanding marketing, contracts, monetization, branding, and promotion is necessary. Increasing your audience and generating revenue requires careful planning. Failing to grasp the business aspect limits your reach and professional success.
Major label debut is often idealized, but it’s merely a contract. Many debut artists fail to gain traction despite technical skill. Creating better music is necessary but insufficient; understanding business strategies is equally important.
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10. Lack of passion
Finally, passion is the most important factor. To keep creating music, you must maintain love and enthusiasm even during hardships. Without passion, music becomes just a job, losing its inherent power and appeal. Passion inspires others and opens paths to success.
Conclusion
Those who fail to become professional musicians or earn a living from music often share the traits outlined above. Improving all points is not mandatory, but awareness and effort toward these areas significantly aid your journey.
The music industry is tough, and technical skill alone rarely guarantees success. Yet with strong will, self-management, continuous effort, and cooperation with others, it is always possible to survive and thrive as a professional musician.
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