Beyond Composition: 7 Income Sources for Composers
- Rafael Piccolotto de Lima
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
A composer’s career presents unique challenges when it comes to income. While performers often find more immediate professional opportunities, composers frequently face a long journey before earning substantial and consistent income directly from their creative work.
So, until that happens, how can composers use the skills developed through studying composition to generate income?
Here are seven professional activities closely related to the knowledge and abilities we develop as composers, even when they do not involve writing original music.
This article focuses on professional activities that make use of a composer’s skills but do not necessarily depend on creating original works. If you would like to learn how composers earn money directly from their compositions through royalties, commissions, and score sales, I also recommend reading How Do Composers Make Money? 4 Main Sources of Income.
Arranging
Many clients prefer to commission arrangements of music they already know and enjoy, especially when a composer is still building a reputation.
For example, I have worked extensively as an arranger for the Brasil Jazz Sinfônica, collaborating with artists such as Mariana Aydar, Ivan Lins, and Vanessa da Mata. Arranging can be an excellent way to apply creative skills while developing professional relationships and experience.
(See the video below for an example of one of these projects.)
Orchestration
Orchestration involves taking an existing piece of music, whether an arrangement or a composition, and adapting it for a different instrumental ensemble.
While highly technical, orchestration requires deep knowledge of instrumentation and the ability to explore the colors and textures available within an orchestra or large ensemble.
(See the video below for an example of an orchestration project based on the music of Villa-Lobos.)
Musical Adaptation
Musical adaptation is another valuable professional activity.
Sometimes an existing arrangement or orchestration needs to be adjusted for a different ensemble. In other cases, musicians create new versions of well-known works and sell them through sheet music platforms.
This type of work helps make music accessible to a wider range of performers and performance situations.
Transcription
Transcription is less creative than composition or previous items in this article, but it remains a valuable and highly requested service.
The process involves listening to recorded music and converting it into written notation.
I have often outsourced transcription work on larger projects, hiring other professionals to help prepare materials. Many composers use transcription as a practical way to supplement their income while developing their ears and analytical skills.
Music Preparation and Score Editing
Score preparation is another important professional activity.
Well-prepared sheet music makes rehearsals and performances significantly more efficient.
Whenever I am managing multiple projects at the same time, I often hire assistants to help with notation, formatting, and music preparation. This work can range from creating initial parts to preparing final performance materials for rehearsals, recording sessions, and concerts.
Music Librarian
Although it may seem far removed from composition, many composers work as music librarians for orchestras and ensembles.
The job involves organizing, maintaining, editing, and preparing musical materials. Several colleagues of mine have built careers in this field, combining their musical knowledge with the organizational needs of professional ensembles.
Music Education
Teaching is one of the most direct ways composers can generate income from their expertise.
This can happen through private lessons, music schools, universities, workshops, online courses, mentorship programs, and many other formats.
Teaching subjects such as music theory, harmony, arranging, orchestration, composition, and creativity allows composers to share their knowledge while sustaining their careers and continuing their artistic work.
Conclusion
These seven activities do more than generate income. They keep composers actively engaged with music while strengthening many of the same skills that support original creative work.
In addition, each of these professional paths creates valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration, visibility, and long-term career development within the musical community.
About the Author
Rafael Piccolotto de Lima is a composer, arranger, music director, and educator. A Latin Grammy-nominated composer and recipient of 13 DownBeat Awards, he teaches, mentors, and supports musicians in the areas of composition, arranging, musical creativity, and artistic development.
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