The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life in too many ways to count. Some people could safely work from home, but musicians work nights at venues, and indoor gatherings have been prohibited for over a year.
Musicians report feeling drained of inspiration and even basic energy during what has been the most challenging year in memory. Here are four tips that may help them stay busy at home during the pandemic.
1. Print Merch
The “merch” table has moved from the back of the concert venue to the online world. Now, if you are a musician looking to supplement their income, it’s easy to start your print on demand business from home and begin selling merch remotely.
The dropshipping approach makes it easy to pick a product and a design (or generate a cool one automatically from scratch) for fans without eating into your rehearsal time. Musicians have always needed to supplement their income, and selling band merch has been a popular way to do so ever since the early days of rock and roll.
2. Recharge the Creative Battery
Musicians can be sensitive, spiritual creatures who aren’t built to endure long spells away from fans and bandmates. Amid financial pressures and the inability to safely gather with friends, musicians need to find some nourishment for their souls elsewhere.
One good place to look is towards the musicians who inspired them in the first place! Put down your own instrument, sit back, and just let the sounds wash over you.
Try a contemporary group with feel-good grooves like Khruangbin or a stone-cold creative and spiritual virtuoso, such as Alice Coltrane. Either indulge in old music you love or try something new and expand your horizons. Share your findings with friends and fans alike, so everyone benefits.
3. Play Other Music
While the pandemic may prevent your band from practicing together, maybe it will let you play some other music that means a lot to you, which your regular performance schedule doesn’t allow. Just like you can go back to music you listened to years ago and hear it again with fresh ears, playing old songs on your instrument causes a wave of familiarity to wash over you.
You’ll feel the finger-memory return as the chords and melodies seem to play themselves, just like riding a bicycle. Share your playing with friends, family and fans over social media, as they’d no doubt love to hear what you’re up to.
4. Keep Practicing and Writing
If you’re feeling ambitious and creative enough to fine-tune old songs or write new ones, maybe the abundance of time to kill alone can be put to good use. You don’t need to make a pandemic-themed album, but spare time to pull back and take a broad look at life may lead to creative choices you didn’t see coming.
Music has provided light and joy during the pandemic for countless people. The artists behind the music can keep these tips in mind if they need help finding fun or valuable ways to stay busy.
