What does it take to be successful for the modern musician? There are more people trying to become artists, performers, or professional instrumentalists than ever before. There are more qualified graduates entering the “job” market, more content creators filling the socials, or shredders showing their skills online. Many are making a career out of it, but most aren’t. Most musicians who play professionally supplement their income in other ways. Some have regular jobs, part-time usually, and some live off royalties from earlier efforts. Some teach, ( I teach bass privately and at London’s Trinity Laban Conservatoire), I play at parties and restaurants and write my blog etc. Some run other music-related businesses to pay bills as they fund their own careers toward whatever path they’ve chosen. It’s not at all easy even with the myriad of options that now exist that help to increase the chances of success.