is there any hope for me?

Workofart · #1 08-14-2010, 11:50 PM

before i even start. i don't want anybody knocking on me saying "neh" to my dreams/plans/goals, and i don't want you guys to give me crap for it either. if i end up working at a mcdonalds in 20 years. then ill make another thread saying "i guess you were right guys"

alright. ive been playing bass since january, 2009. please note ive been musically active since around 6-7, playing piano at that age (please don't put much of that into the equation, it wasn't more of a skill boost, just more of the fact i knew what the notes are, the different kind of scales, [minus modes] and how to play a musical instrument) i'm entering my senior year of high school, and i've been looking around for some kind of post secondary education, and combined with my average grades, there aren't many academic options open to me right off the bat. what really drives me is a career involving music, whether it be on stage, back stage, in the classroom, or behind the desk at a music shop. nothing else really stands out for me, and i don't want to go to college/university just to get some degree, and be stuck in a job that i can't stand for the rest of my life.

so basically, my question is, do you think i have the time? i'm 16, turning 17 in a month. i'm planning on taking a year off after high school, (at least a year if going for some form of music degree) during that time (including senior year) i'll be taking lessons, practicing as much as i can, jamming, gigging, learning from the veterans here on talkbass and locally. etc. i'm just having a nervous feeling that i haven't been exposed to bass for long enough. compared to those guys who have been in it since like 6, and can even play guitar (i've been trying but i haven't gotten very good) would it be too late by the time i get to their level? even if i try my best and practice for hours each day? one of the things that inspires me is that chris squire didin't start playing bass until 16, and steve harris (as far as i know) doesn't really play 6 string guitar. two of the things that really make me think and stare at the floor is

1. people that play guitar and bass
2. people who have been playing since childhood.

so i was wondering if somebody could helpo me out here, i'im really having a heart attack of worry
haha
ha.

p.s. if anybody wants to help me out in another pickle. one of my ideas was to become a bass teacher and do that to pay my bills while trying to get somewhere on stage. my question is - is there enough want for a bass teacher that it can sustain enough money and if not, would it be wise to learn guitar as well? the 1. worry up above accounts to competing for other studends too.

southernrocker · #2 08-14-2010, 11:57 PM

Air Force Band - Bass Opening

Try out for the audition, and you'll have a killer bass career. Plus the AF is great.

Workofart · #3 08-15-2010, 12:10 AM

did i mention i'm not american. haha

Stumbo · #4 08-15-2010, 12:11 AM

So you want to be a music major?

~Going "pro"
Nashville's Roy Vogt's TB thread
Becoming a session player
1 Going pro
2
The musician's life
1 Expectations
2

~Teaching Bass
1 Teaching ideas
2
Becoming a teacher

waleross · #5 08-15-2010, 12:40 AM

You'll be fine. If you are not in a group yet then join anything. Use your Hugh School for your music contacts. Find out who is making money playing music, seek them out whether you like the music or not. Don't make excuses, playing music with others is more important than anything. The bass and drums are not solo instruments and you need ensamble experience to have a chance. If you are already playing parties, weddings and even High School Music shows then ok if not then you should look into it. When I was coming up in high school , there were those that did and those that didn't. I tried to hang around kids that were in the music programs as positive reinforcement, etc. This way your future is already in motion....Finally there are always kids your age that are better than you and with music I befriended those that could help me play better and had a real future.....Its just like sports.......Good luck........

Marginal Tom · #6 08-15-2010, 01:03 AM

I started in my 30's, so it isn't to late for you to start. If you want to teach bass (or bass and guitar), you'll need a solid understanding of music theory, playing experience in a wide variety of musical genres, an organized approach to teaching these skills to your students, and credibility. At your age, you'll need to play well enough and publicly enough that students that are older than you will hire you anyway.

If you're not already in one or more bands, get started as quickly as you can. If you can't find one, go to jam sessions, open mics and auditions until you do find one.

MalcolmAmos · #7 08-15-2010, 07:59 AM

I was going to suggest you join the Army, Navy, Marines, whatever, and apply for their bands. Talk to your high school sponsor and the service recruiter.

You need a little more maturity, yes I know, and the service will give you that. Plus there will be benefits that could be used when you know a little more what you really want to do with your life.

Does your country offer this opportunity. If so think about this.

Hookus · #8 08-15-2010, 08:59 AM

Well, since I have a 15 y/o son, much of what you say sounds like it came right from him.

Well, I'll give you my .02

It took me until I was 35 to get back into college. I did this because I finally realized that having a college degree is not about a career, it is about choices. So say you go to college right after high school, and get a degree as a rocket scientist, well, you can still play music for a living. BUT, when you realize that you likely will have trouble supporting a family or making a meaningful income from music (hey just going off general statistics, by all rights you COULD be very successful), you have something to fall back on that can really pay the bills.

One of the most dedicated and successful musicians I know was actually an Electrical Engineer. Funny how much time you get to spend on music when money is no object...

I'm not knocking you, but I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that you will be better off putting a college education first. The nice thing about music is that it does not require a degree, just practice and dedication, which will let you devote more time to getting a decent back-up degree.

Nothing wrong with chasing your dreams, but just consider how much more difficult it will be to get college out of the way when you also have to work full time to support a family, and you cost of living is MUCH higher.

Workofart · #9 08-15-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

I was going to suggest you join the Army, Navy, Marines, whatever, and apply for their bands. Talk to your high school sponsor and the service recruiter.

You need a little more maturity, yes I know, and the service will give you that. Plus there will be benefits that could be used when you know a little more what you really want to do with your life.

Does your country offer this opportunity. If so think about this.

i could definetly check into it.
im my thoughts about a career, the only things that have even crossed my mind were musician (in some form or fashion) lawyer, or a pilot. i dunno about the pilot that's just the third, i thought about it one time, was told i should probably join the air force for that, and said no cuz i'm not an army person.

one of the things that really have hindered me IS the limitiations of a back up plan.my gpa isn't good, despite my efforts, and i just have no idea, what i could do, that has even a little enjoyment. in my thoughts being inside an office doing papaerwork all day for the rest of my days, it's not what i want to be. neither is somebody out doing construction al day. or in a hospital, it's just that most of the career choices out there, i can't see myself doing that in ___ years.

Marginal Tom · #10 08-15-2010, 10:52 AM

Many (probably most) college graduates have changed their major at least once. Many have careers that are unrelated to their college majors. Many have made one or more significant career changes after joining the workforce. The good news is that you don't have to decide while you're still in high school. There's nothing wrong with having a plan, but the real world will frequently change them.

MalcolmAmos · #11 08-15-2010, 12:23 PM

You have mentioned your GPA several times. Fact of life, it is what it is, and right now College or a University may not be in the cards.

Talk to your high school counselor, (sponsor). Their job is to help you find a job. Most of them really do care.
Good luck on which ever way you go.

pedroims · #12 08-15-2010, 12:37 PM

does not matter if you want to work at GC or be the CFO for Boeing... GET some education!!! believe me ... it will open doors

Stumbo · #13 08-17-2010, 10:24 PM

Community colleges give the an option to take many classes and do not have the same entry requirements as universities.

pnut166 · #14 08-17-2010, 10:44 PM

I`m not understanding this. You want to be an ace musician BEFORE you go to school ? Dude, that`s WHY you go to school. You`re putting the cart in front of the horse. You`re already ahead of the curve compared to some people who enroll in a music major. Just jump in and don`t worry so much ! P.S. don`t take a year off after HS unless you just have to for finances or something. Life has a way of pulling one away from school, making it harder to go back.

Forcemaster · #15 08-21-2010, 04:04 PM

Figured I could be of help with this one...

I was in your position a few years ago, am now 19, heading to Berklee in January. Basically had the same idea's that you had, luckily for me it seemed to go okay. Spent lots of the last 12 months on the road with a killing blues band, infact.

Do you have time? You have more time now than you EVER will in the future, spend as much of your time in the shed. Those great guys? They're pulling 8/9/10/11 hours of practice in a day. Easily, REAL practice not noodling around. Shedding everything, reading, ear training, technique, everything they possibly can.

Check out all the music you can, if you're in Europe get spotify, all the free music you can want. Listen to Miles Davis, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Ravel. Everything.

Can't play guitar? Buy one and start learning, do the same with piano.

When I turned 17 I realised if I wanted to get serious about this stuff I'd really have to give it my all. I started slow, with a guarantee to myself that I'd get at least 2 hours of practice a day, after a while I upped it to three, then four. Today I started at 10am, put my bass down at 9pm. Only a couple hours break in between all that.

Go to see all the music you can, GOOD music. Live in the ass of nowhere? Buy a plane ticket and crash in NYC for a week. I saw enough there in one week to inspire me for life. I have family there so have spent the the winter and summer there this year, totally worth it.

Take lessons. Nearly every great player teaches (if they don't offer it, ask them, they usually will) and most also do online lessons, they work great. I've studied with Janek Gwizdala, Todd Johnson, Bryan Beller, and a host of other cool guys. All more stuff to learn.

Play with everyone and anyone, aim for something fun and musically rewarding. But play all the time, for $$$, for nothing. Do it all.

Take that year of from HS, best thing I ever did, believe me. Pnut166, trust me. The better this guy goes in the better he's gonna come out.

You're never too young, you can find hosts of great players who didn't start till later and were great. But don't rest on your laurels. Work your ass off and you can do it NOW.

The internet means you have almost unlimited and free access to more information than anyone ever has before. Spend less time looking at and coveting gear. Get a good rig and nice setup bass and you're good to go. Find all the free information you can.
Basically do EVERYTHING.

It's nowhere near impossible, plenty of people have done it. You can too.

P.s. Phew, this was quite long... sorry about that. Anything else you wanna ask, pm/email me :-)

All the best,

Sam

busta_bird · #16 08-24-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hookus

Well, since I have a 15 y/o son, much of what you say sounds like it came right from him.

Well, I'll give you my .02

It took me until I was 35 to get back into college. I did this because I finally realized that having a college degree is not about a career, it is about choices. So say you go to college right after high school, and get a degree as a rocket scientist, well, you can still play music for a living. BUT, when you realize that you likely will have trouble supporting a family or making a meaningful income from music (hey just going off general statistics, by all rights you COULD be very successful), you have something to fall back on that can really pay the bills.

One of the most dedicated and successful musicians I know was actually an Electrical Engineer. Funny how much time you get to spend on music when money is no object...

I'm not knocking you, but I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that you will be better off putting a college education first. The nice thing about music is that it does not require a degree, just practice and dedication, which will let you devote more time to getting a decent back-up degree.

Nothing wrong with chasing your dreams, but just consider how much more difficult it will be to get college out of the way when you also have to work full time to support a family, and you cost of living is MUCH higher.

Fantastic advice and well thought out. +10

BillyIVbass · #17 08-25-2010, 03:21 AM

Practice, meet people, play/listen to as much music as you can and treat others as you'd like to be treated.

bassmanharris · #18 08-25-2010, 03:59 AM

First off, don't be discouraged by your start time. I started playing bass when I was 15 and have loved it ever since. Been in several bands, some with more success than others, but it's been a great ride!

I went to college right after high school. Dropped out after one year. It's not for everyone, I suppose. Done a lot of things since then, but bass has always been there, whether in the form of an angry punk band, a progressive rock band, country, bluegrass, or just some "me time" by the lake tryin' out new lines, I've always kept that.

Point being, if this is what you love, pursue it! Keep it close by and take any opportunities that allow you to have that. Whether it's a quick jam with a band that plays music you hate (only if they pay you,) or it's a project you have faith in, go for it! At the same time, have a backup plan. Seems like you already do. I s'pose we can't all be rock stars...

I'm 30 now, and feel like I've done a fair share of diverse work, but still cling to my bass like it's Mother. I still play music, and it's still all I want to do. Keep at it, man! The best is yet to come!

Bruce Lindfield · #19 08-25-2010, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

I was going to suggest you join the Army, Navy, Marines, whatever, and apply for their bands. Talk to your high school sponsor and the service recruiter.
.

There's an advert around here for that - but the basic requirement is that you can read music and they will audition you to test that you can sight read.

In fact that's my recommendation - of course it's not too late - but work on the skills that are going to get you jobs!

If you can sight read whatever is put in front of you - you will get jobs - that's number one priority for working as a musician!