I'm going to do it full time!

capnsandwich · #1 11-08-2009, 02:06 PM

I'm sick of my 9-5, or in my case 6-4:30, so I'm going to go out on a limb and try to become a full time musician. My wife and I have discussed this over and over again and she's all for it. I'm miserable at my present job and even though it's a full time job with benefits, I'm barely scraping by. It's killing my body. I'm on my feet all day except for 2 10 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch. I've been there for 9 years and I just can't take it anymore. I had to have wrist surgery due to my job and it's not getting any easier on my hands either. We have 2 kids and I'm actively playing in my church and in 2 other bands, which aren't gigging at the moment. We've discussed relocating to a city with more going on musically and we're open to moving to another state.

I just need some advice as to how some of you full time players make it. I'm not quitting my job tomorrow but I'll probably do it sometime early next year.

Steve · #2 11-08-2009, 02:11 PM

Learn to read
Buy an upright
Learn to sing
Learn to play music you don't love.

capnsandwich · #3 11-08-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Learn to read
Buy an upright
Learn to sing
Learn to play music you don't love.

Read: can but not as good as I would need
upright: gotta save up for one
sing: can do that
music I don't love: do all the time

2 out of 4. I'm almost there.

ugly_bassplayer · #4 11-08-2009, 02:16 PM

Be on time.

capnsandwich · #5 11-08-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

Be on time.

That's my specialty. My dad was a military officer and I was a Marine so I've got discipline. In fact, the studio owner that I'm in a band with has complimented me several times on my punctuality to rehearsals and sessions. I've also had 8 years of perfect attendance at my job.

J. Crawford · #6 11-08-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

That's my specialty. My dad was a military officer and I was a Marine so I've got discipline. In fact, the studio owner that I'm in a band with has complimented me several times on my punctuality to rehearsals and sessions. I've also had 8 years of perfect attendance at my job.

Youre the man Matt! I hope one day I can follow in your footsteps, and take the plunge. You only live once.

Im subbed to this, I wanna see what happens.

Honk'n_down-low · #7 11-08-2009, 02:36 PM

I would give it some serious thought and maybe create a list of Pro's and Con's - including the Financial elements.

With kids you'll still need some Health Coverage which is very pricey - you have to look at it from a Financial Perspective and consider all the What ifs.

What work do you do - is there and avenue for additional training and a change in Career that might not be as hard on you Physically?

Consider the challenges of making the leap without having steady work playing lined up. Remember Grass is always Greener on the other side.

I am not trying to persuade you either way - just saying you have to take hard look at the facts and inside before you make this kind of change IMO. Remember people that love you will support you even sometime when they may not believe what you are doing is the right choice - so be crystal clear that you have your Families Support - what you do will impact more than you for good or bad.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide!

G00D+~VIBES · #8 11-08-2009, 02:36 PM

Outside of the standard expectations of a professional instrumentalist, I try to make myself as indispensable as possible, always. I carry extra everything that anyone might need. I try to know as much as I can about every aspect of both playing live and in studio. I can't tell you how many doors this has opened for me. In both situations the people I work with love having someone to turn to for answers/help, and I love getting called to go to work whatever that may mean.

Moral of the story: People don't often forget the guy that saved them when they ran into the "oh, $h1t I..." and rather than waste time/money and look unprofessional you simply hand them your card and fix the problem.

"The show must go on" AND "Time is money" never forget these axioms.

One Bad Monkey · #9 11-08-2009, 02:39 PM

I'd also add:

Sight-read. Really well. Better than anyone else in town.

Be reliable.

Be easy to work with, especially when a director asks for a certain sound. Since this is your job, if they say "I'd really like an upright for this part" if you can provide it, do it. Or, they'll find someone else next time.

In the "times of plenty" in gigging, sack away as much as you can in order to offset the lean times of gigging. It will happen.

ugly_bassplayer · #10 11-08-2009, 02:55 PM

Be prepared for times when you don't have gigs.
Save your $$.

capnsandwich · #11 11-08-2009, 02:57 PM

Thanks guys. I'm sitting here with my wife and she's reading these along with me and she's still on my side. She says she's nervous but she's still backing me 100%.

ugly_bassplayer · #12 11-08-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Thanks guys. I'm sitting here with my wife and she's reading these along with me and she's still on my side. She says she's nervous but she's still backing me 100%.

No pics , no wife.

capnsandwich · #13 11-08-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

No pics , no wife.

Here's one with my ugly mug to. One of the happiest days of my life.

Bluesbreaker5 · #14 11-08-2009, 03:16 PM

Capnsandwich,

Don't give up on your dream, but family does come first. Find a job you like...with benefits. Maybe working in a music store? Also, think about additional training or education in a better field. If you were single I would say do it, do it. But you are responsible for the wellfare of your family. Also, before you pack up and move, will you be taking your kids out of school and away from their friends? Stability is important for a child.

Don't stay with your current job, find one that suits you better. But don't throw all of your and your family's eggs in one unknown basket. Unless you have a backup plan.

EliasR · #15 11-08-2009, 03:22 PM

definitely consider teaching. A lot of the folks in my town make about half of their money teaching and the other half gigging.

drasticDUB · #16 11-08-2009, 03:30 PM

Hey Man,
Awesome! You gotta do it! I just made the transition myself. It is a little scary, but I think if you want something bad enough, it can be had. Family support always helps
Btw, I grew up in Sunbury, oh. Small world.

ugly_bassplayer · #17 11-08-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EliasR

definitely consider teaching. A lot of the folks in my town make about half of their money teaching and the other half gigging.

+1 on teaching, it can be relatively steady income.

capnsandwich · #18 11-08-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drasticDUB

Hey Man,
Awesome! You gotta do it! I just made the transition myself. It is a little scary, but I think if you want something bad enough, it can be had. Family support always helps
Btw, I grew up in Sunbury, oh. Small world.

Awesome man. Go BIG NUT!!! (That's Big Walnut H.S., 2007 State Champs in Div. 3 football, for the rest of you who aren't from Sunbury.)

Armbruster · #19 11-08-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Learn to read
Buy an upright
Learn to sing
Learn to play music you don't love.

+1 on 3/4 of those. I can't sing for my life.

I bought a Wan-Bernadel ($4,950 new from String Emporium), and it paid for itself in no time with jazz gigs alone. Amazing upright, too! Plays amazing and sounds amazing for being a *gasp* Chinese bass. Mr. David Cobb even told me it sounds just as good than his $550,000 Italian beauty. But of course, I played it once, and I was shaking. If Jesus Christ played bass, that would be it.

But I do a lot of electric gigs too. And personally, I enjoy them more. But the upright pumps out cash and makes it rain.

I'd get a music-related job (any local luthiers?), and play gigs on the side. That's what I do now and I love it. It's putting me through College easily. But hey- your life. Might as well enjoy it, eh?

archer121 · #20 11-08-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

I'm sick of my 9-5, or in my case 6-4:30, so I'm going to go out on a limb and try to become a full time musician. My wife and I have discussed this over and over again and she's all for it. I'm miserable at my present job and even though it's a full time job with benefits, I'm barely scraping by. It's killing my body. I'm on my feet all day except for 2 10 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch. I've been there for 9 years and I just can't take it anymore. I had to have wrist surgery due to my job and it's not getting any easier on my hands either. We have 2 kids and I'm actively playing in my church and in 2 other bands, which aren't gigging at the moment. We've discussed relocating to a city with more going on musically and we're open to moving to another state.

I just need some advice as to how some of you full time players make it. I'm not quitting my job tomorrow but I'll probably do it sometime early next year.

I don't know if my thoughts are really what you are looking for since I'm not a pro musician but I can only offer you this... go for it. Do it. Follow your heart and do what you love to do. Pour your passion into it and make this dream a reality. Do it not only for yourself but for your beautiful wife (you defiantly married-up, BTW) and the family you two have forged together. I don't know you but I envy you. You can do this.