Staying afloat while shedding

Bhuti · #1 10-02-2007, 09:34 PM

Hey Janek, it's Justin from The Collective. I recall you at one point stating that you never had to work a day job. Now i do work a day job which i want to stop so that i can fully focus myself toward music, shed and get the knowledge that i know i need to get to be who i envision myself to be musically.

I'd just like to know how'd you sustain yourself in NYC especially during the times where you weren't getting gigs an what advice you can give towards maximizing my time toward my music. I try pretty hard to do so on my own and i end up highly stressed out because 40 hours of my day is at work.

Thanks Janek.

janekbass · #2 10-03-2007, 02:57 PM

It was a tough period that's fro sure.

I lived from credit cards for a little while, which I really wouldn't recommend. I was fortunate enough to land a couple of huge record dates that paid great in a time where I didn't have so much live gigging or touring work.

There's also nothing wrong with working a day job. you might find you get inspired about musci through that in ways you never might have expected.

I would really be interested to hear people's stories about this subject too.

Easy,

Janek

johncg · #3 10-03-2007, 03:46 PM

It seems to me that this is a part of the job that requires some real ingenuity and "thinking outside the box."
Right now I'm in Buffalo, NY. I get support from my parents and teach 20-30 students per week, in addition to practicing 3-8 hours a day and working in 4 bands. This a good situation for me right now because I am focusing mostly on my playing without much distraction on a day to day level.

I'm planning on moving to NYC in the coming years. I'm lucky because I have a relative in Jersey who has offered to put me up for a while. This obviously will only last so long, but it is a start.

The way I see it is this:

If you truly desire a career as a working, world-class musician, you need to be a tremendous improviser and opportunity creator/embracer not only on your instrument but in every aspect of your life. There is simply no standard, well-trodden path to success at making a living at music in a big city.

Fortunately, there is lots of money out there to be earned and lots of amazing music out there to be played. But it's not like going to law school where you can say, "Well, I'm going to spend 3 years at this school, getting the money from my folks, then I can expect this to happen..."

You have to be very creative and driven, and a little lucky to survive. But it obviously can be done.

Of course, take my thoughts with a grain of salt because, after all, I'm still just another young kid in a small town!

Wilbyman · #4 10-08-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johncg

Fortunately, there is lots of money out there to be earned and lots of amazing music out there to be played. But it's not like going to law school where you can say, "Well, I'm going to spend 3 years at this school, getting the money from my folks, then I can expect this to happen..."

I know jazz musicians who make more money than some lawyers I know and vice versa. Same with the dentists. You've got to have good business sense no matter your profession.

shwashwa · #5 10-10-2007, 06:54 AM

just a quick example from my situation because i've struggled with this topic for a long time. i believe that we have enough internal resources to accomplish more than we think. i look at music and bass like i were michael johnson training for the olympics or something like that. i've known a few successful world class amature atheletes in my life and they all needed day jobs in order to survive, but still they excelled to the top of their sport. they used to get up at 5 am and train until they had to go to work or school, and then train again at night and all weekend, so that's what i did and still continue to try to do. i guess if you want it you'll do it. so i guess the short answer is : "wake up early and practice"...

Lorenzini · #6 10-11-2007, 01:16 AM

Great topic. I am currently doing this - staying afloat while shedding.

But all I'm really doing is getting gigs, and shedding on my offtime!

Most of my gigs are straight-ahead jazz, BUT I'm also playing r&b, top 40 dance, latin, rock, smooth jazz, on both keyboards and bass -- but I am staying afloat and not having to hold down a day job which can sure get tedious and drain you physically and mentally.

I used to have a day job, and shedding around my 9-6 schedule was a real burdon. As soon as I began hanging around musicians and playing for a living, I was more inspired to shed and just having more fun in life.

So no reason not to play, AND shed at the same time. That's just my few cents

shwashwa · #7 10-11-2007, 04:04 AM

well, here it is, 6 am and i've been practicing for an hour. i can get 2 more hours before i have to get ready for work, and then i can get about 2 hours in after work before my rehearsal tonight... :-)

Lorenzini · #8 10-11-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shwashwa

well, here it is, 6 am and i've been practicing for an hour. i can get 2 more hours before i have to get ready for work, and then i can get about 2 hours in after work before my rehearsal tonight... :-)

+1 that's dedication

Bhuti · #9 10-11-2007, 04:46 PM

Okay, I usually can get in about an hour. Since i work at a music store, i literally lock myself in the cage where we keep the high priced items and just shed some tunes out of a fakebook but i find myself wanting to do alot more.

from 10 to 6 i'm at work and i'm at a rehearsal or gig until about 11pm and staying up for a bit to pay bills and whatnot then doing it again. i also listen to a CD with "musician's ears" just about everyday. Weekends are resting, gigging, or spending time with the fiancee (Krystle says hi by the way Janek). I just have a desire to be a bit more in to my studies, i might be a bit selfish, but i think it's all for the better.

Sorax · #10 10-11-2007, 05:43 PM

Myself, I'm actually studying Music at uni, which funnily enough makes it pretty damn hard for me to get an shedding done. Over the last month or two I've had lots of people asking me to play for assessments with them (here we have performance assessments every week), plus taking an extra jazz ensemble class, and on top of trying to get a band together for functions (plus all my theory classes and what not), it means 5 days a week I'm at Uni from 9am til at least 8pm. throw in travelling and that doesn't leave a lot of time to shed. so i try and find a balance of getting a lot done on the weekends and not staying up TOO late on weeknights. oh, and having a girlfriend doesn't help. I guess I'm lucky to be playing as much as I am, and hopefully it'll pay off.

Bhuti · #11 10-11-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorax

so i try and find a balance of getting a lot done on the weekends and not staying up TOO late on weeknights.

I also had a severe case of sleep deprivation recently. I was working a night shift at dunkin donuts (10PM-8AM) then went straight to classes at The Collective and usually got home at about 3pm and woke up at 6 to get ready for work. Work was 6 days a week, school was 5, and doing that for 4 months with a caffeine dependance kinda led to some bad things. It took 4 months of rehab to get better, so breaking nights for me is out of the question.

davefarrell · #12 10-26-2007, 11:10 PM

im studying music at university, and my days usually consist of 3 hours of class, 4 hours of shedding, jammin with some dudes, and doing homework. I don't really watch tv that much anymore, and i can't remember the last time i waisted time. i think you just need dedication and an open mind. with all of the stuff im doing and how busy i am, there is no way i could swing a job and swing some eights. i don't know how you guys do it but i respect you all.

brake · #13 11-01-2007, 11:37 PM

how is school going dave?

i would kill to be able to play bass for hours a day right now.

**Mark Wilson** · #14 11-02-2007, 09:26 AM

I'm studying music right now at Humber in Toronto.

To be honest, i've been slacking with my practicing. with everything I have to do, I've been SO tired.
I'm gonna start shedding for about 6 hours a day though.

Any advice to keep things on track, guys?

Bhuti · #15 11-02-2007, 10:35 AM

Just as an update on my situation with it.

I've found some "Alternative methods" of shedding and practicing. Listening to music just about every second of the day. Be it me on the train with my cd player or some guy on the train who has his headphones blairing loud, just putting my musician's ears on all the time. Visualizing changes, playing a song in my head and soloing over it, acting in time. Tons of things; And the most intriguing part about it is getting to my instrument and attempting to accurately recreate what's there and what i concieved earlier.

It's fairly new for me, but it's working out pretty well. Stretching my mind beyond sitting down with my instrument and playing through a tune for hours. It's going to show myself that the mindset aspect of musicianship is very strong and is a muscle that needs to be flexed.

markjazzbassist · #16 11-02-2007, 10:50 AM

yeah man. my advice is to LIVE LOW. i live with my parents (no rent, free food) and work a small job 40 hours a Month doing Audio editing and mixing at my local church. If you really keep your costs down and try not spending money (yes you may have to be a hermit and not go out with friends a lot), you can live for pretty cheap and get your shedding done.

Sorax · #17 11-02-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

I'm studying music right now at Humber in Toronto.

To be honest, i've been slacking with my practicing. with everything I have to do, I've been SO tired.
I'm gonna start shedding for about 6 hours a day though.

Any advice to keep things on track, guys?

Instead of going to the pub with friends, practice. Don't get a girlfriend, believe me, they take up a LOT of valuable practice time

. I break my practice down into 30 minute sessions. After 30 of intense, concentrated practice I'll either go make tea or take a 15 minute nap to refocus and centralize my stuff. This is what my teacher suggested so definitely talk to yours. Also, it helps if your room is clean, well lit, etc.

davefarrell · #18 11-03-2007, 01:33 PM

I know when i practice, i like to make sure that there are little to no noises in the room because the noise's pitch can make some notes sound out of tune.And i completly agree with taking breaks but i usually go for 45 minutes, take 15 minutes. it's completely up to the individual. Also, I make sure there are no distractions. Last but most certainly not least i don't usually start out with something i know i can't do.

**Mark Wilson** · #19 11-03-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorax

Instead of going to the pub with friends, practice. Don't get a girlfriend, believe me, they take up a LOT of valuable practice time

. I break my practice down into 30 minute sessions. After 30 of intense, concentrated practice I'll either go make tea or take a 15 minute nap to refocus and centralize my stuff. This is what my teacher suggested so definitely talk to yours. Also, it helps if your room is clean, well lit, etc.

haha. yea. I know I know.
I'm done with going to bars and that.
I'll goto The Rex, which is a Jazz bar, to see my teachers play.

Sorax · #20 11-03-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davefarrell

I know when i practice, i like to make sure that there are little to no noises in the room because the noise's pitch can make some notes sound out of tune.And i completly agree with taking breaks but i usually go for 45 minutes, take 15 minutes. it's completely up to the individual. Also, I make sure there are no distractions. Last but most certainly not least i don't usually start out with something i know i can't do.

I like to start out with something I know I can't do. There's no point in practicing what I already know. I find that if I start jamming something, it leads to another, and then I've wasted 40 minutes playing funk grooves (arguable whether or not that is a waste :P). I find that I learn quickest if I drop myself right in the deep end. It doesn't seem like you're getting anywhere at first, but after a couple of days it's great. I feel like at the moment I'm right on the verge of getting a whole lot better, particularly at jazz/improvising, and that's a great feeling. Really inspiring to practice.

Quote:

haha. yea. I know I know.
I'm done with going to bars and that.
I'll goto The Rex, which is a Jazz bar, to see my teachers play.

That's the way... Nothing like live jazz for the soul and the mind