Choosing Business Goals

A Musical Career In Reggae: Career Suggestions

29 January 2019 by Wade Wheeler

If you've long loved and appreciate reggae, you might attempt to be a successful artist in the genre. Any career requires work, but being a singer who makes a living takes real effort and dedication. How can you raise your profile as a reggae singer?

Work at the Radio Station

As a fan, you're probably already listening to all the reggae music radio stations in the area. However, working for such a station can give you insider knowledge about how radio play works, which is valuable to any artist's career. By listening to reggae for most of your day, you might also pick up vocal techniques to try and inspiring ideas to go into your own work. During your time at the radio station, you might also be exposed to new reggae artists that you've never heard before who can influence your own sound and style.

Sing Live

Many people can sound good when they're in a studio or have multiple tracks to choose from, but singing live remains a singular experience which demands real vocal skill. If you're skimping on vocal exercises, audiences will notice. Live singing will also help you learn good stagecraft and how to build relationships with audiences; you'll learn what songs are best in a live format and what works to get people excited and enthralled with your performance. You might explore reggae radio stations to determine which have live sets and artist performances so that your live singing voice can be carried throughout the community.

Work with Pros

Your inclination may be to work with younger, fresh artists and musicians who, like you, are starting out in reggae music. However, a good education in reggae can be gleaned from older pros who are still working in the field. Whether they teach music at the local college or have their own bands, interact with professionals who know what it's like to build a career and keep it going for years and years. Talk to them after their sets, interact online with them and ask to jam with them during your free time.

Start Formal Education

While a formal music education might not have been in your initial plan, don't underestimate the value of learning music in a classroom setting. Just knowing how to read music can separate you from other new reggae musicians. Understanding the mechanics of reggae music might help you make the sound truly your own.

With these suggestions, a reggae singing career can be a real career possibility for you. Work with those who love the sound and build your skills so when opportunities arise, you're prepared.

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