The future of the classical guitarist, or how to make a living as a guitarist, is a challenging topic. I know I’m treading on quicksand, but even so, and because I’m an optimist, I will discuss the options and tools that a classical guitar performer must consider and utilize to build their musical future.
Yes, Spain makes it difficult for classical music performers in general, and guitarists in particular, but the digital age has introduced new elements into this system, and transformations are constant. So, if any of my children or acquaintances ask me, the answer is affirmative: I strongly recommend that people pursue music.
Broadly speaking, and thanks to my diverse professional background, the situation is as follows:
- In my teaching role, I observe variations in classrooms and student rosters; fewer and fewer enrolled students complete professional studies and continue with higher music education. The pandemic caused a situation that I hope will improve, and the curve of female students will straighten out again.
- As a concert performer, my work focuses on ensuring the classical guitar occupies top stages. It’s not easy, and curiously, in Spain, the guitar is so popular that styles often get confused. The internet has favored live music, although I prefer to perform on stage.
- My role at the helm of the International Guitar Festival makes me a participant in projects with the guitar as the protagonist; I constantly receive them. But more are needed.
As always, there are solutions, but in this case, they stem from the following premise: the learning and retraining of a 21st-century classical musician must be constant.
When I finished my training in the Netherlands, I returned to Spain to continue my professional career as a musician. I knew I would have fewer concerts, which led me to seek other options to complement my curriculum. Something as common in the US as the artist-entrepreneur figure, which is just starting here, is an interesting option that leads you to think globally and perceive the need to find your personal brand.
After these years of experience and contact with the different gears of music, my recommendations for young musicians are varied, but all are aimed at the same goal: pursuing a career as a classical guitarist.
- Music students are increasingly better prepared and have a high level, which is great news. Together, a group of professional artists must be created who, under the ‘Marca España’ (Spain Brand), represent our country’s musical quality. There is room for everyone; you just have to find it, avoiding misguided competitiveness.
- Competitions for young performers are an excellent platform for exposure, but not the only one. In this era of retraining and multitasking, musicians must be aware and expand their knowledge in other areas with tools such as master’s degrees in cultural management, courses related to communication, or entrepreneurship.
- Finding our personal brand, knowing your strengths and enhancing them, and then finding a niche where you fit better than others. From knowing the type of repertoire that best connects with your personality, sound, and technical skills, to discovering what other artistic disciplines can be compatible with it. Everything is valid for creating this hallmark that defines us as artists.
Adapting and being aware of the image you want to project. It’s not enough to have a good project; creating an image around it and yourself is one of the final and most important steps. I receive many dossiers with interesting proposals for the Guitar Festival, but not all of them capture my attention. Why? In this case, both your musical project and its presentation are fundamental to achieving the main goal: making a living from music.
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