How much would I ever earn.

[loonbohol]

Give me an idea of how much a composer can earn.

[richard black]

Millions. Look at Andrew Lloyd Webber.

But most composers don't earn enough by composing to live on, in this or any other century.

[mikey6]

Millions. Look at Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Although he does stretch the limits of what can be termed a composer!

[thierry13]

Give me an idea of how much a composer can earn.

Looking at your attitude and potential, I'd say nothing.

[Bob]

The ones I've seen are doing other things in addition to composing.  Teaching some classes, some lessons, conducting some local group, etc.  And ready to compose for you if you pay them.  I don't know exactly how much they make, but I'm guessing it ranges from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.  Not much considering the work they put into it.

[gyzzzmo]

Most composers only earn rotten tomatoes, few of them earn cash.

[thalbergmad]

Looking at your attitude and potential, I'd say nothing.

I think that is rather unkind.

I was thinking at least 3 bowls of rice a week.

Thal

[weissenberg2]

You may get government grants (if you are good). Getting fame as a composer it like that as a pianist, you have to earn your luck.

[loonbohol]

Give me stories of composers on how do they ever started their career.

[thierry13]

I think that is rather unkind.

I was thinking at least 3 bowls of rice a week.

Thal

Thal, you're the best.

[loonbohol]

I actually mean, How much is one composition.

[gyzzzmo]

I actually mean, How much is one composition.

According to Thal's payroll, it kinda depends on how long youre working on it.
For example, if it took you half a week..... That would be 1 and a half bowl of rice. I dont know though if theres any standartization of the unit 'bowl'. Maybe you got some negotiationspace in bowlsize?

Gyzzz

[lostinidlewonder]

How long is a thread of string?

[weissenberg2]

Give me stories of composers on how do they ever started their career.

A good deal of them got teaching jobs to start there career (E.G. Aram Khachaturian). Samuel Barber found a publisher when he was 18, won a composition competition before he was 20 and got many commissions, all before he was 22.

I actually mean, How much is one composition.

It depends on: how much your publisher is willing to pay you or how much your commissioner is willing to pay you and how much it is performed or recorded.

[richard black]

I actually mean, How much is one composition.

About twice as long as half its length, usually.

[Bob]

How are composers starting out?  I'm thinking in an academic setting or in tv/film. 

[nanabush]

Get an education.

If your already thinking about how much money you're going to make, you're head's in the wrong spot and you probably won't succeed in composition.  John Williams (famous film composer) studied Piano at Julliard.  You need credentials if you want people to pay any attention to your work.  Study composition, and I'm sure whoever you're studying under will help you clear out these questions you have.

It's largely hit or miss.  A few months back, I was looking around on the Canadian Music website, where they have several hundred composers.  They all produce amazing work, but probably do not make any sort of living off of it.  As said earlier, you'd have to compliment composing with some other stuff, such as teaching, masterclasses, performing, etc, etc.

[Bob]

I was thinking of John Williams too.  Trained academic then, and worked in film.  I was amused to see Johnny Williams for some jazz stuff once.  It's him. I think, pretty sure.