{"id":536,"date":"2020-01-01T21:41:26","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T21:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/blog\/?p=536"},"modified":"2026-04-14T07:37:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T06:37:42","slug":"make-more-money-as-a-solo-musician","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/blog\/make-more-money-as-a-solo-musician\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven ways to make more money as a solo musician"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last updated: March 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needless to say, being a solo musician<\/a> can be a tough gig. As the majority of musicians earn less than \u00a325,000 per year (according to industry surveys), any opportunity to earn a little extra money on the side is certainly something to be looked at. In this blog, we’ll take a look at seven ways solo musicians can earn a little extra money…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps your main gig is as part of a band or group, and you’re looking to make a little extra money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, maybe you’re just coming out of a group and are looking for an exciting new start as a solo musician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the circumstances, here are some potential avenues for new work…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Session work<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The session industry can be a tough nut to crack, but those who are able to get regular session work are likely to also find it easier to get more gigs and network with others in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, networking is probably also the best place to start when looking for session work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting producers who might have clients in need of a professional musician, or acts that are looking to supplement their line up for big gigs, should definitely be the goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ten tips for becoming a session musician<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n
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For solo musicians, it is best to simultaneously develop a portfolio of work to help establish a career as a session musician. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A portfolio should include great promotional material, the leading musicians you\u2019ve worked with, what instruments you play and your level of skill or formal qualifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of this can be listed on your own website, in order to easily pitch to new clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping potential clients informed of how your musical career is going a great way to gain more work. This can be done effectively through updating social media like Instagram<\/a>, X<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Becoming a dep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Similar to session work, a dep player will find that they are hired frequently if they are able to perform more than one instrument, to a high standard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many musicians, multiple instruments will include those from the same family. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possibly the most important aspects of being a <\/span>successful dep musician<\/a> are reliability, flexibility and versatility. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dep should be available at short notice and able to perform a wide variety of well known songs. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dep musicians should also be able to learn new songs quickly and preferably skilled at sight reading, especially if they play a brass instrument or are part of a string section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a good idea to keep up to date with all the modern function band material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look over the repertoire section of all your local bands and learn anything you aren’t familiar with, so it’s ready to go when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking to pick up more work as a dep musician, then try joining facebook groups like Dep Musicians in the UK<\/a> or UK Musicians for gigs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A solo musician could aim to perform their own gigs whilst also acting as a dep, session musician and a regular member of other bands<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Busking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it is incredibly weather dependent, busking can be a surprisingly profitable venture, especially if musicians choose to perform with others over a busy weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst it is common for cities such as London and Manchester to be over saturated with buskers, smaller towns can be more profitable, as buskers are more of a rarity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a good day, some musicians can earn between \u00a310-15 per hour, sometimes even more. Earnings will vary depending on location, time of day and the time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out more about busking successfully <\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Diversify, and perform in different bands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a solo musician, performing in different genres and styles of bands, as well as their own solo gigs, can be a good way to network, get more gigs and increase proficiency of an instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is particularly popular with pianists<\/a>, guitarists and drummers as they can adapt their skills to different genres such as jazz or funk\/soul, as well as pop\/rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top tips to help make more money as a solo musician:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n