I'm not sure one is supposed to make a 'living' making music. Has it ever really been this way except for the very top echelon? How many paid court musicians existed in the baroque and classical eras? How many more troubadours were there at the time? I would say jcspro's definition works. I would say that's how it works for most persons that make a living in any of the arts; musicians, playwrights, authors, artists of any type.

It's hard work. But if you enjoy it, that's part of the whole choppin' wood and carrying water thing, isn't it?