I would like to share my personal experience and advice on how to make a living with music, with the hope that it can be helpful to independent musicians and bands.
I composed solo piano music simply because I loved doing it. I started composing music for piano, and the only reason I recorded my first piano album was because it seemed like the obvious thing to do. I had written some songs, and so what else is there to do with them, but record? So saved up some money and I recorded my first album.I didn't record the album because I hoped to sell a million copies... I did it just to have a permanent record of my solo piano work, and I figured I could share it with folks I knew and maybe sell a few copies.
At that point, I kept playing the very occasional show, I played in public maybe only 5-6 times a year.
But I kept selling music and I saved the contact info for everyone I sold an album to. When I released my others solo piano albums, I informed all the folks that bought the first one, and most of them bought my second. So that's how I started.
At the same time, I started promoting my solo piano music on the Internet, and that opened me up to a whole new audience. I kept composing and recording, and kept promoting my solo piano music on the web.
In 2018 I released my complete collection The Best of Solo Piano album.
In 2024 I released my new album EP Top Piano Hits by James Lazzeroni (if you'd like, you can take a listen on Spotify).
It took years and years to get there.
No one helped me.
I built my own fan base.
So yes, you can make a living doing music.... providing that your music is music people want. That's one of the key things you must have that you can't get around. Your music must be music that people fall in love with - music they want to own - music they want to invest in.
Now you might be saying.... "James, tell me all your secrets to making money with music!" Well, there aren't secrets.
Living the dream. Doing music full time.
Promoting music online is an ongoing life process.
In my life and business as a solo piano artist, I have come to realize that whether or not you make it artistically depends on your ability to outlast and out persist almost everyone else.
Begin at the beginning.
Just make a professional artist website to present your music. Next, get your music on all digital stores for purchase and streaming such as Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora Music, YouTube. Then use the social network for promoting your compositions.
The internet has changed the face of the music business. That what you do on the internet today may very well determine how successful you are in the future.
It's a long process, but worth it.
Don't stop. Don't give up.
You can do it.