You have the government subsidised orchestras, and there might be a handful of session musicians. But that is playing other people’s music.
As for original music, orchestral composers probably have to battle it out amongst each other for government grants like artists do. Pop/rock would probably need more than one hit song per year.
Even in Europe or USA I suspect it would be almost impossible to live off recorded music alone. At least there is the population density for a few musicians to make a living off touring feasible but I haven’t heard any of them in interviews speak well of that option.
Looking beyond Bandcamp, I am not so sure that commodification of music is so great anyhow.
Most musicians only get the opportunity to be professional through aggressive marketing as it is, especially the ones who go on to play stadiums.
People become gardeners without making a living from it. If they don’t have land they join a community garden.
Do you mean musicians being able to survive on making music generally?
Yes, solely on music. In Australia it is rare.
You have the government subsidised orchestras, and there might be a handful of session musicians. But that is playing other people’s music.
As for original music, orchestral composers probably have to battle it out amongst each other for government grants like artists do. Pop/rock would probably need more than one hit song per year.
Even in Europe or USA I suspect it would be almost impossible to live off recorded music alone. At least there is the population density for a few musicians to make a living off touring feasible but I haven’t heard any of them in interviews speak well of that option.