Why I Am Fortunate To Be An Artist Today

If I was a musician in the 1800s, it would be a vastly different experience from what it is today. Music would be primarily performed live, and getting my music in front of an audience required significant effort and resources.

Firstly, I’d need to have an incredible amount of skill and dedication to my craft. There would be no electronic instruments or processing tools available, so everything would have to be played live, with minimal mistakes. This means that I would need to spend countless hours practicing instruments to become an expert.

Aside from the actual performance itself, I would need to find ways to get my music heard. There were no recordings or downloads, so the only way to share my music was through live performance. This often meant traveling around the country, playing in different venues, and trying to build a following.

Secondly, I would often be at the mercy of patrons and sponsors. I would need to rely on the support of wealthy individuals or institutions to keep my living afloat, which means I need to be careful not to offend my benefactors.

Another challenge is the lack of copyright laws and protections. This means that I would be at risk of having my music stolen or copied without receiving proper credit or compensation. It was not uncommon [back then] for a popular song or melody to be plagiarized and passed off as someone else’s work.

Despite these challenges, however, being a musician in the 1800s was also a profoundly rewarding experience. Musicians had the opportunity to connect with audiences in a way that was much more personal and direct than it is today. They could see the immediate impact their music was having on people and could feel the energy and excitement of a live performance. You know what they say, you can touch more people in person than digitally.

The rise of the internet and digital platforms has made it easier for independent musicians to create, record, and distribute their music without the need for a record label. This means that musicians can maintain complete creative control over their work, without having to compromise their artistic vision to suit the demands of a record company or any wealthy individuals or entities.

Another benefit is that it allows artists to build a direct relationship with their fans from afar. Social media platforms and streaming services provide a direct line of communication between artists and their fans, allowing them to engage with their fan base and build a loyal following from anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, independent musicians have access to a range of tools and resources that can help them to promote their music and grow their audience. Online music distribution services, such as United Masters, TuneCore and DistroKid, allow musicians to distribute their music to major streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, while crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon enable artists to raise funds to support their creative projects.

Overall, being an independent musician today offers greater creative control, direct engagement with fans, and access to a range of tools and resources that can help musicians to succeed on their own terms. Can you imagine if Johann Sebastian Bach had access to all of these tools? His beautiful compositions and presence would travel the earth serenading people of all walks of life without him having to leave his house. Not only that, he would have full control and ownership of his copyrights until the end of time, creating generational wealth for him and all of his descendants.

In conclusion, it may have been a rewarding experience in some ways back in the 19th century, but I could never concede on the benefits and privileges that are available to me as an independent musician today. This is honestly the most convenient time to be an artist that there ever was. With that being said, I tip my hat off to the great musicians that made a name for themselves prior to the digital age.