Some Reasons Why Music Artists are Mostly Underpaid

Music is business and something universal. It has no boundaries and limitations. It promotes peace and harmony to everyone. It could inspire a revolution and sometimes it could end a war. It motivates people to be loved and to be in love. It could move people to dance and to get along with other people. Generally, musicians make people happy and you can find them everywhere. In social gatherings, they're always the center of attraction. And yet, they're are one of the most underpaid professionals in the planet. Except for the few who are lucky enough to be in the right path of fame and success.  

But why? Here are some of the reasons.

1. The Law of Supply and Demand

The law of supply and demand is always a factor in any transaction. When supply is bigger than the demand, normally the price will always go down. With less demand, talent fees will always be at the sidelines. The world has too many musicians to watch and listen. Competition is tough in some aspect. Musicians are competing against each other and they're everywhere. On the Streets, on the Subways, at the Cafes, inside the Malls, inside the Casinos and even in the Churches.

2. Playing Music is a Passion

For music artists, playing music is always a passion. This is what we love to do. To some extent, we are willing to spend our own money just to play music because it makes us happy. We don't think about profit because being a musician alone is already a gain. This is were the market exploit us. This is were the producers and bar owners take advantage on us. And it continues because we allow it to happen. 

3. The Free Culture

When I say culture, it's reciprocal. Some musician's believe that music is free and so as the audience. It's a way of life that we tend to forget the numbers involved in the process and all other investments. Not to mention, the number of hours and frustrations during practice and rehearsals. And of course, the stress and the pressure during performances. And the worst part, is when the show is over. Mostly likely, musicians are all alone to clean up their instruments and equipment. Sadly for some people, playing music is just for fun. It's something that they don't have to pay. 

4. Disunity Among Artists

Artists are supposed to support each other. But instead, they fight against each other. Jealousy and insecurity within the industry is always a problem. How many times it happened when one artist try to dive down his price just to get the deal at the expense of the other. Sometimes, we are the reason why most people doesn't want to pay much for us.

5. Lack of Focus and Originality

Influence in music is always part of the process. Almost every musician in this planet started as a cover artist and there's nothing wrong about it. But to be a successful music artist, originality is also essential. We can't be someone else forever. Artists are supposed to be creative and original. But oftentimes, we lack the focus on establishing our identity as an artist. Most likely, fans are willing to pay for something that is unique and interesting. In reality, musicians are partly to be blame for being underpaid.

6. Misplacement of Talent

Music business is like a food. It has so many distinctions and categories. Both fans and musicians have their own preferences. But oftentimes, musicians played in a wrong crowd or in a wrong venue. It's all about misplacement of talent. Because no matter how good you are, but when you're in a wrong place, it sucks. This is one of the most common problem for original music artists who barely started with their business as musicians. Music artists should know when and where to showcase their talents. In any business endeavor, timing is always important.

7. Less Support from the Government

How many times you heard someone who used to be a good musician but ended up as a poor guy. How many times you heard a story about a musician than can no longer play due to illness and can't afford to go to the hospital. How many times you heard a musician selling his instruments to pay his bills. How many times you heard a good song but was never played in the radio stations. How many times a good songwriter can't afford to record his own songs. And how many times you heard a story about a good musician who can't even buy his own instrument. These are some of the stories that you heard everyday about musicians. It goes on and on until we do something to help them out. Musicians are considered artists. They make people happy. Therefore, every government has the responsibility to support them. Remember, music is also business and could generate revenues for the government. It could also boost the export industry and the economy.

8. Exploitation in the Industry

In the business of music, popularity is always the name of the game. It's an industry where popularity dictates the price and drives the value of every talent. Most people are willing to pay for the name, but not really the music. Because our airwaves are flooded with garbage that influence the market. The mainstream media, the producers and the record companies exploit the industry. They control the airwaves and the shows. They maximize profit at the expense of real talents.  For them, musicians are expendables and it's all about business.


By the way, the man on the picture is Mr. Noli Aurillo. He is a renowned Jazz artist and a prolific guitar player in the Philippines. Probably one of the best guitar player I've ever seen in my entire life. He performs nightly at music bars in Metro Manila area. 


The author, Neil Edwin Wagas is also a musician and a songwriter. He's a blogger, an activist and a sports fan. He was born in the Philippines and migrated to the U.S. in 2006 with his family.