A lot of artists want to know how to make a living with music, so in this episode I talked with BigJerr (Scarlit), who makes a full time living teaching music production. He’s an Ableton Certified Trainer, teaches at Icon Collective, has courses with Evenant, Warp Academy, and Academy FM, does one-on-one coaching and also does client mixing/mastering/remixing work.
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Important Points:
BigJerr advises newcomers to excel in a less competitive and unexplored niche. Both he and Andrew stress the importance of pursuing your goals persistently until you achieve a breakthrough.
BigJerr stresses the need for visibility and thought leadership to excel in a niche. Andrew and BigJerr both emphasize the importance of early brand building, especially in a world where everyone can claim to be a musician on social media. Cutting through the noise is crucial.
BigJerr and Andrew emphasize the significance of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals in a community. This helps you expand your network and find mentors. Additionally, BigJerr encourages giving back and being a mentor to others once you achieve success.
Podcast Outline:
[00:55]: BigJerr, a prestigious Ableton Certified trainer, is among the elite experts dedicated to empowering global music creators. — BigJerr
[03:25]: BigJerr generously taught music to friends for free, and in return, they referred paying students to him. — BigJerr
[03:29]: BigJerr charged only $40.00 per student, but with a sizable student base, he was able to fund his Ableton certification journey. — BigJerr
[06:46]: Overtime, BigJerr shifted to a genre closer to the music of Linkin Park and Evanescence. — BigJerr
[08:39]: BigJerr drew inspiration from pioneering tutorial YouTubers, many of whom were Ableton-certified trainers, including his mentor. — BigJerr
[10:40]: BigJerr’s Ableton certification was a key factor in his getting Employed at Icon Collective. — BigJerr
[12:15]: Andrew and BigJerr discuss Icon Collective’s offerings and its vibrant campus community. — Andrew and BigJerr
[14:03]: Andrew highlighted how living and being part of a like-minded community helps musicians grow. — Andrew
[17:36]: Andrew and BigJerr talks about Evident’s tutorial videos for using Serum in enhancing cinematic sound designs. — Andrew and BigJerr
[20:28] BigJerr’s full-time role at Icon Collective involves creating videos for their music courses, which not only pays his bills but also offers performance-based bonuses. — BigJerr
[24:48]: A full-time music career demands commitment and taking decisive action. — BigJerr
[27:46]: BigJerr urges musicians to keep pushing forward in their pursuits; their breakthrough moments will come. — BigJerr
[32:47]: For beginners, BigJerr recommends focusing on a niche with less competition and excelling in it. — BigJerr
[34:09]: BigJerr suggests that to excel in a niche, ensure visibility and establish yourself as a thought leader. — BigJerr
[36:23]: BigJerr stressed the importance of being the people’s champ to establish yourself as a thought leader. — BigJerr
[37:45]: Andrew and BigJerr both agree that effective branding plays a crucial role in helping artists stand out and stay relevant in the music industry. — Andrew and BigJerr
[40:48]: In addition to teaching at Icon Collective, BigJerr generates income through side projects like remixing, mixing, and one-on-one mastering lessons. — BigJerr
[42:52]: Andrew and BigJerr agree that while YouTube’s free educational content has been humbling for musicians, it has also led to the expectation that everything should be free. — Andrew and BigJerr
[44:07]: BigJerr asserts that accessible platforms have dismantled the traditional rockstar culture, allowing anyone to become a musician.— BigJerr
[46:01]: Andrew talks about how Periphery established its brand early, leading to multiple income streams.— Andrew
Wise Words:
[08:39]: I’d have my favorite people, and I would be genuinely thankful to them because I never met them or anything. But they were sharing this information. At the time, I mean, YouTube was relatively new at the time and not new, but you know, it wasn’t like it’s now. And was really cool that these people were just sharing free information. It was mind-blowing to me, and I wanted to be that person for somebody else. [09:13] A lot of the people that I was watching, they were Ableton certified trainers, and actually, one of my mentors, his name is Yuda, Side Brain, he was an Ableton-certified trainer. — BigJerr
[14:03]: It’s one thing to learn something on your own and then go do it. Sure. When you sit down in a group of people and work with something. [14:10] Universities try to force that by making group projects and stuff. I would imagine that being at a school like that and living there. While I’m sure, it’s also kind of a total party fest of times, it’s probably super, super important ’cause the ability to, like, I don’t know. So many creative people in one spot, all trying to learn and get better. — Andrew
[28:39]: You really, really want something, go and get it. Don’t let anything stop you. And honestly, life is [28:46] a self-fulfilling prophecy, man. If you really want something, and you put your mind to it, and I’m not just saying like, “Oh, I want this.” No, I mean, if you really, really want something, and you go for it with a hundred percent of yourself, you’re going to get it. — BigJerr
[30:13]: That kind of pain you feel working a thing you hate is a pretty strong motivator to make you figure out life. — Andrew
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If you enjoyed this interview you might also like this one I did with Venus Theory on how to make a living in the music industry.
