Assuming that music is the number one driving force in your life, it’s still important to analyze carefully whether you are pursuing a hobby or a career in music. Why is it important to know the difference? This is an issue that sometimes trips people up, as they look to make a career in the music industry. Many come to the industry because of their love of music. But the reality is, you’ve got to have bankable skills to deliver, or you’re not going to be gainfully employed or grow your career. Many people have sacrificed years of their life because they felt they wanted to be “near the music,” only to realize that they didn't have the necessary skills or training to match their passion. No one gets hired strictly on his or her enthusiasm. You must have marketable skills that create value for your employer. A hobby is the pursuit of a field for personal enjoyment.

Me? I’m a hobby guitar player today. I play my guitar a few times a month and it gives me great pleasure doing so. I used to be a professional guitarist, and I was paid well for my skills. I practiced regularly, studied my peers' work, read up on guitar technology and performed 4-5 times each week. That’s quite a bit different than my musical hobby today.

A career is your vocation--the daily occupation in which you must excel. Either a hobby or a career can be rewarding; however, you have to decide which one of these roads you’re on. If you plan to build a successful career in the music industry, you’ve got to be serious first and foremost about developing the talents you have that will make you attractive to employers, be it as a performer, a sound engineer, a composer, or a booking agent. Then, once your skills are coming together, get serious about developing your job search strategies, enhancing your skill set, building a network of professional contacts, and researching what competition you’ll face in specific entry-level job areas. Discover what your earning prospects are in the field that interests you the most.

Bottom line: it’s okay to switch from a hobby to a career. But make sure you have the required commitment, as the road will be challenging and you will need to stay focused on achieving your goals. I know the difference between the commitments required for a career versus that of a hobby. Now you do, too.