What do I need to learn/practice for a career as a future musician?

oniman7 · #1 07-13-2010, 04:11 PM

I've always been of the mentality that if I learn to do something, it should come as great value for a future job. Maybe that's just been instilled by me with the constant "do good in school, go to college, get a job making lots of money, be happy" mentality we're exposed to.
Anyways, I'm only going to be a Sophomore in High School next year. I've come to figure that, at least as it's working now, music or writing are going to be my two b est chances at having a good career. I already write once a month for a local newspaper and will be on the school newspaper, and I'm told it shows in some of my lyrics.
Anyways, onto the real question. Being summer, and with nothing else to do, I spend a rough average of 2-3 hours a day practicing bass. But, I end up just playing my favorite songs most of the time (keeps me from getting bored). Obviously this is good for practice, but I don't see it giving me many skills necessary for a career musician.
Currently, I'm in a high school band with my friends. None of us are very good, but we're trying to get serious about it, and like any high schooler, we'd love to earn a record deal at one point and become a professional band. I'm of the opinion that if we don't treat it seriously, nothing serious can be expected to happen. What I'm asking about specifically, is just as a career musician. Maybe a session player if one of the bands loses their bass player, or a recording session of a band has a bass part but not a bassist to play it. Even possibly stuff like jingle writing. Basically, whatever could give me a comfortable life with a fair amount of money.
So what kind of things would I need to learn? Is sight reading a necessary thing, or something that comes with time? Should I practice my theory, learning modes and scales and such? Should my musical ear be developed (it's very bad currently) or can I get by without it? What types of genres/music should I be playing? Just basic information like that. What else can you tell me about your experiences/ income? I'd like to know what I could be expected to make, but if you don't want to share your salary, that's understandable :P

MalcolmAmos · #2 07-13-2010, 04:28 PM

Writing for a newspaper. Most newspapers are struggling nowadays. Plus have you ever checked out the salaries a newspaper journalist earns. You may be surprise with how little they normally are.

Being a professional musician. Most professional musicians have a day job to help pay the bills.

You have picked two of the lower paying professions. Might want to rethink your career goals.

What do you need to do to be a professional musician? Everything you mentioned plus a BA with a teaching certificate.

oniman7 · #3 07-13-2010, 04:34 PM

I didn't pick them so much. These are things I both love to do. If I wanted something that made a lot of money, my dad's got his own business which will be worth more than a million within a year (something like the 2nd or 3rd year in business) and even if I didn't take over that, or if something happened to it, I'd still be able to learn programming from one of the best architects in the city. I was just wondering if I could make a comfortable living with music (or writing, but I wasn't sure how many people would know that here).

ridgeback · #4 07-13-2010, 04:46 PM

the idea is better than the reality sorry to say..money is not that great and your never really home much..its hard work and at some point you might start to hate it..makes it all the harder..depends how far how much your willing to do..its a very general question its kind of like saying i want to buy a car..you can do anything if you do the work and put in the time..stay in school and get yourself a good paying job because the idea of being a pro musician is nice but its nothing like what you have in your head..just an older persons view..

alexwittscheck · #5 07-13-2010, 04:46 PM

If it was about the money, you should stop. If it is because you love it, then do it. A lot of people lead lives where they are comfortable monetarily, but hate going to work every day. Forget money, do something you love.

I am a senior in college, and am interning in Nashville this summer. From being around musicians back home and here, if you want to be a professional, you need to practice as much as possible everyday. Always learn new things. If you get one technique down, pick a new one and learn it, while you keep getting better at the first. The more well rounded you are, the easier it will be to find work.

Also, learn the number system, now. It is not hard, and will put you ahead of other players your age.

So to answer your questions about what you should learn. I will answer, yes. The more you learn, the better off you will be.

This is of course IMO, IME, and YMMV.

**Pacman** · #6 07-13-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

What do you need to do to be a professional musician? Everything you mentioned plus a BA with a teaching certificate.

Disagree.

Reading, styles, ear training. Understand theory and be able to use it. Have great people skills. Learn to market yourself. Sing. Learn to double (upright, guitar, keys - something). Get along with people. Practice good hygiene. Read, read, read.

oniman7 · #7 07-13-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Disagree.

Reading, styles, ear training. Understand theory and be able to use it. Have great people skills. Learn to market yourself. Sing. Learn to double (upright, guitar, keys - something). Get along with people. Practice good hygiene. Read, read, read.

Should be no problem for me. I started on guitar, but I'd like to pick up piano as well (Is it a good instrument for practicing theory/ reading sheet music?). Also, what is the numbers system someone mentioned? Is that just another name for tablature?

MIMJAZZ · #8 07-13-2010, 05:07 PM

To practice for a career depends on what career your upbringing. If you want to be a session player you have to know all about theory. How to play against chords, what to play against. But for a career in a band you have to play with people. To sound harmonious with the gutiar and drums.

alexwittscheck · #9 07-13-2010, 05:12 PM

Nope, its not tab. It is another way of writing chords. I just did a quick search on google. Here is a website http://hubpages.com/hub/nashvillenumbers I did not read through all of it, but it looks like it explains the basics for free. Everyone does the symbols differently, so get the basics down and you will be good. Search around for Nashville Number System on google and you will find more info.

becker4567 · #10 07-13-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Disagree.

Reading, styles, ear training. Understand theory and be able to use it. Have great people skills. Learn to market yourself. Sing. Learn to double (upright, guitar, keys - something). Get along with people. Practice good hygiene. Read, read, read.

You know, the 'learn to get along' and the 'good hygiene' stuff may sound a little silly now, but it means alot when your trying to promote yourself. People not only look at how you play, but how you look (and smell). Going up in the world, whether it's in business or music, means looking and acting like a pro. Theres a alot of guitar/bass players out there, so you need to at least get a handle on another weapon like keyboard or drums, learn to read music and most of all, develop a good ear so you can play stuff quickly and accurately. And ALWAYS keep a good attitude. Nothing turns people off more quickly, regardless of your talent, than a prima donna!

Stick_Player · #11 07-13-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

You have picked two of the lower paying professions. Might want to rethink your career goals.

If you "really good" at either one, the pay is fantastic.

If you "really love" doing either one you'll be fulfilled. And you'll probably get "really good" and get payed well.

There are many examples (probably loads on here) that suffer through the day with no satisfaction in what they do and low pay because they are constantly rethinking their career goals.

So Low Bass · #12 07-17-2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Reading, styles, ear training. Understand theory and be able to use it. Have great people skills. Learn to market yourself. Sing. Learn to double (upright, guitar, keys - something). Get along with people. Practice good hygiene. Read, read, read.

You seem like you're on your way. Number 1,2, and 3: Stay in your school music program. Your teachers are making a living with music so watch and learn. Some of your collegues will go onto to major in music. Ask them about their lessons, what schools they looked at and why, what is the audition process. If you're going into music in a good college, you'll have to have solid piano skills. Go out and listen to as much live music as you can. That includes "classical". We bass players can swing both ways, unlike an oboe or viola. Don't get caught up and spread around with too much equipment or too many instruments.

What do you play in school? Do you take private lessons? What do your parents say??

oniman7 · #13 07-17-2010, 11:30 AM

I'm not in any music programs at school. I've just started music under a year ago, but I've finally found something I'm passionate about.

If all goes well, there is a local arts high school I could go to my junior and senior year for writing/ music.

Munjibunga · #14 07-17-2010, 11:31 AM

As a backup, learn these words well: "Did you want the combo, sir, or just the sandwich?"

oniman7 · #15 07-17-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

As a backup, learn these words well: "Did you want the combo, sir, or just the sandwich?"

That bad?

Billnc · #16 07-17-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

As a backup, learn these words well: "Did you want the combo, sir, or just the sandwich?"

No man, you say that to yourself to keep practicing music! When you feel like blowing off reading, you put a name tag on, look in the mirror and say that over and over, picture yourself actually doing it, and go back to reading dots on the page.

So Low Bass · #17 07-17-2010, 01:03 PM

I misread your post...thought you wrote you were in THE high school band. Forget what I wrote and asked you... it's not important. There are probably 100 kids in your high school that have been in bands and choruses since 4th grade. That six years of musical experience that they already have on you. By all means...wait another two years.

Hold the mustard.

oniman7 · #18 07-17-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

I misread your post...thought you wrote you were in THE high school band. Forget what I wrote and asked you... it's not important. There are probably 100 kids in your high school that have been in bands and choruses since 4th grade. That six years of musical experience that they already have on you. By all means...wait another two years.

Hold the mustard.

I couldn't tell if you were unintentionally tactless or purposely sarcastic in this post. It is the internet, after all.

There is no way for me to get in the Arts school this year. The application was long past due. At the time it was, this was still just a hobby for me, and I was just getting into journalism. The best I can do is focus on my school now, spend hours practicing, and also focus on my writing (I'm on the school newspaper). If I've still got this passion, then I can apply at the end of this year to the Academy.

Besides that, most of the band students I know are either in it for college or because their parents make them. There are few who did it because they enjoyed it. My singer and keyboardist happen to be two of these.

JimmyM · #19 07-17-2010, 01:20 PM

jon pacman hit it on the head. while it isn't possible for everyone to have a career as a rock star, there are ways of making decent coin in the business. but they all center around what jon said. reading jobs account for about half of my income. by far, the readers get the best paying jobs. and singers...i got gigs over guys who can play circles around me because i can sing. doubling on another instrument is also cool....i pick up 9 or 10 gigs a year on guitar. i'm not great at it but i play what people want to hear and have a good tone so they keep asking me to do it.

but it's all for naught if people can't stand your ass

try to be a fun person to hang with. don't complain over little stuff like someone giving you advice on how to play something. if the guys in your band prefer one of your basses over another, don't make a big stink about it and call them idiots...just use it. and you're way too young for this, but when you're an adult, you're going to be around alcohol a lot. don't let it get the best of you. seen a lot of great players go down because of it.

oniman7 · #20 07-17-2010, 01:26 PM

At this point, I do plan on trying to produce an album with my band within a couple of years and get signed. At this point, I'm going to dream big and work hard to get there, because if I don't take it seriously, I don't expect anything serious to happen.

However, I know there are plenty of ways to make money in music besides being a rockstar. I realize there's a very high chance that it will never happen and I'll be left broke and disappointed if I put all my eggs in that basket.

I wish I could sing -- I have some vocal control -- but I have an absolutely terrible voice and range. I started out on guitar, and I plan on learning piano/keyboards. May borrow a keyboard from my guitarist to learn. Also a good way to learn to read, I imagine.