"Day job to supplement the Music"

[bearclaw]

I know alot of us are struggling to make ends meet in regard to the economic state of the country right now. Speaking for myself, I had to get a day gig to supplement my performing/gigging career as a musician, we've gone from 120 shows a year to barely 80 for the 2009 calendar.

Silly question, but can anyone suggest a decent paying music related job(even if it's retail related) that can serve as a way to keep things going when times are slow with the gigs?

[Rocker949]

The question is a good one, not silly. It is unbelievable how much this economy sucks when it comes to jobs.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Rocker949

The question is a good one, not silly. It is unbelievable how much this economy sucks when it comes to jobs.

So very true. The way the economy is measured, it makes no distinction between a whole lot of people doing a little better and a very few people doing really well. Recession over? Not by a long shot for many, many people.

Things are a little better for me; after nearly a year of unemployment, I now have a job, although it pays less than half what I made before I got laid off when things went in the dumper in Q3-Q4 2008.

[AlembicPlayer]

not sure about decent pay in your area for stage work but I take local work in music production..anything from stage hand to stage manager, backline tech, guitar tech and sound engineer. In my town I can even work as a over-hire on union shows and it pays the union wage. I sometimes take local club gigs as a soundman if the pay is right.
It keeps me in the music scene loop and helps pay the bills.

good luck to you!

[von buck]

Good luck, the way things are, you'll be competing with people trying to supplement their unemployment checks.

andy

[MalcolmAmos]

Thank goodness I'm now retired and don't have to worry about that day job. However, when the oil went South in 82 I was faced with unemployment for the first time in my life.

Found a job in three days. Sales, no salary - pure commission. If you do not sell anything the employer does not pay. So if you look the part and the employer thinks you will not run off customers they normally will take a chance on you.

It will more than likely be a paradigm shift, but, don't exclude commission sales from your job search. Talk about being motivated! Only problem with commission sales, you will be building your customer base and will not have time for gigs. It'll be a matter of priorities.

[Pilgrim]

I agree. Many sales jobs offer flexibility in hours and working location - it's worth looking at, especially if it's not your only source of income, and if the business is one that will tolerate part-time sales on your part. If you play a lot (and 80+ a year is a LOT) then you're not going to make much in sales because you won't have the time to do it well. Best if you have that agreement with your boss so he knows you are not going to be one of his primary producers. Remember, you are HIS income source as well - and if you don't produce, you'll be fired.

For most of us, music is a hobby with limited income, not a primary job...which is easier in many respects.

[iamlowsound]

You could try teaching bass lessons or something like that.

lowsound

[Lady Kayri]

You can always look at selling stuff at home shows - it isn't just Avon and Mary Kay; there are guys I've met selling Tupperware, cooking supplies, jewelry, tools, etc. that are done at home parties. Might be something to look at, anyway. And yes, I have met a few guys who sell Avon, Mary Kay, and some other nominally 'feminine fipperies' and made decent money at it.

[CapnSev]

Teach.

Although that market for me has gone downhill since the recession.

[Jefenator]

Heck with music-related, you want something flexible. At the studio where I work, I can say I've got to leave early for a gig and it's always cool. (Better be - gigs are what allow me to afford to keep working for them. )

Also, it doesn't necessarily *have* to be music-related to be creatively stimulating.