Is it difficult to make a living playing bass guitar?

matteatsdirt · #1 06-19-2010, 04:58 PM

I'm 20 and like most 20 year old kids I hate working. I'm a pretty solid bass player and I was wondering how difficult is it to make like $800 a month playing bass guitar? Is it tough? I can easily live off of that. Just supporting myself. I don't have kids or a girl nor do I want one.

I'm not looking to be a studio musician. Is it possible to make that much cash playing bar gigs etc...

wes stephenson · #2 06-19-2010, 05:02 PM

wow...

matteatsdirt · #3 06-19-2010, 05:05 PM

wow what? Why don't you give me yes or no and we can call it a day.

dave64o · #4 06-19-2010, 05:07 PM

Not trying to be a smartass or be insulting, but $800/month is less than $10,000/year. Unless your living expenses are paid for (such as by living at home with your parents and having to pay no rent/board, having health insurance covered under their plans, etc.) that's an *extremely* low income level.

matteatsdirt · #5 06-19-2010, 05:08 PM

I know man, but if I could make that playing tunes or $600 playing tunes and then work a little bit part time at a bk or something I would be set.

HollowSound95 · #6 06-19-2010, 05:16 PM

Wow that's a beautifully honest question.
Yes.
Work your ass off and learn like 100+ cover songs, or better yet, learn how to sight read and get a gig on cruise ship.

Kuoxasar · #7 06-19-2010, 05:16 PM

Lol, if you "hate working," you're not going to make a living with music.

Being a lazy bum only has the fruits of being a lazy bum. People who make a living with music are working their asses off. I would say that anybody who makes a living exclusively as a gigging bassist is working their ass off constantly, getting gigs, practicing, advertising themselves, writing music, etc., and in some ways, they're not just playing bass anymore. Most bands can get somebody to just play bass for peanuts; if you want to make a living, you're gonna need to contribute far more than that.

Kuoxasar · #8 06-19-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollowSound95

Work your ass off and learn like 100+ cover songs, or better yet, learn how to sight read and get a gig on cruise ship.

He said it himself, he hates working.

matteatsdirt · #9 06-19-2010, 05:25 PM

I said I hate working. I never said I hate playing bass guitar. I can play bass all day long and its nothin. Its easy for me.

matteatsdirt · #10 06-19-2010, 05:32 PM

You know what 90% of you are probably creed fans who smoke crack and look at child porn. You can't teach me anything. Take your bass guitars and shove em where the sun don't shine

Jim Nazium · #11 06-19-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matteatsdirt

You know what 90% of you are probably creed fans who smoke crack and look at child porn. You can't teach me anything. Take your bass guitars and shove em where the sun don't shine

Charming.

Kuoxasar · #12 06-19-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matteatsdirt

You know what 90% of you are probably creed fans who smoke crack and look at child porn.

The best part of this comment: Creed's bassist has made more money than this guy ever will

chump stain · #13 06-19-2010, 05:37 PM

Wow!
Now that's cause for wow!

Sure you can make a living off of bass, I know several people that do it. You do have to be connected, be it a good band that has a steady gig (house band), or a teacher. More times then not, you'll have to do "all of the above" to make money with music. Fact is, there really isn't much money in music. People don't like to pay for music these days.

DevinF · #14 06-19-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matteatsdirt

You know what 90% of you are probably creed fans who smoke crack and look at child porn. You can't teach me anything. Take your bass guitars and shove em where the sun don't shine

well with that attitude... i think BK is the right place for you

If that reply reflects you at all, you will never get a single gig or ever join a band that will have any sort of following. When you ask a question and get an answer, don't just blow it off like you already knew the answer.
That's not how it works.

matteatsdirt · #15 06-19-2010, 05:37 PM

Yea, but he made it playing terrible music and the guy looks like a monkey. Your just upset because your mom and father touched you inappropriately when you were a child.

Kuoxasar · #16 06-19-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matteatsdirt

Yea, but he made it playing terrible music and the guy looks like a monkey. Your just upset because your mom and father touched you inappropriately when you were a child.

AW DUDE, SICK BURN BRAH.

80'sRocker · #17 06-19-2010, 05:40 PM

I know I can make $800. a month playing bass, but you? wow...you should ride your high horse right back to school. and yes, playing bass can actually become a job and you don't want to work so that answers that. Problem solved

DevinF · #18 06-19-2010, 05:43 PM

come on Kuoxasar, show us on the doll where your mommy touched you... haha

can you believe this guy!? I'm 3 years younger than him (and still in high school) and am stunned by his immaturity

DevinF · #19 06-19-2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

I know I can make $800. a month playing bass, but you? wow...you should ride your high horse right back to school. and yes, playing bass can actually become a job and you don't want to work so that answers that. Problem solved

+1

Broadbent · #20 06-19-2010, 05:44 PM

I was making 300 bucks a week when I was actively gigging, and thats not doing any studio work. that was playing 3 sets thursday friday and saturday night. If you compound that with any studio sessions you can get and maybe teaching a few lessons a week, you can make a comfortable living as a bass player.