Music (Bass) as a career ='(

Insomnia_Junkie · #1 10-26-2007, 01:35 PM

I've loved bass as far as I can remember, although I don't think I'm very good

I would absolutely love utilizing my bass as a job/career to support myself. But the only thing I can think of doing to make a living is neither being a music teacher or being one of those bassist who plays for like commercials and junk, which would kinda be alright as a hobby but I wouldn't want to do that from 9 to 5 if you catch my drift. Now I know they offer great music programs at Berkley and other good universities but what options do I have guys? I feel like all I can do is play bass as a hobby and forced to pick a non-related bass job

MonetBass · #2 10-26-2007, 01:41 PM

See my new quote in my sig...

You'll find there's very few people out there who can actually make a good living as a working musician (although double bassists -- the really good ones -- can make good money in symphonies). To be realistic, just expect it to be a hobby and have another job to pay your bills. Just my 2¢.

Baryonyx · #3 10-26-2007, 03:15 PM

Yep, you have to be good and lucky to make it anywhere in music imo (unless you're in some manufactured cack, then being lucky will suffice!

).

::::BASSIST:::: · #4 10-26-2007, 03:29 PM

How about this:

Join 3 VERY successful cover bands and gig 4 + nights a week.

Work a crap part-time job 20hrs per week.

Live very frugally.

I think it could be done, but you'd be broke most of the time. Sort of starving artist scenario.

Snarf · #5 10-26-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insomnia_Junkie

I've loved bass as far as I can remember, although I don't think I'm very good

I would absolutely love utilizing my bass as a job/career to support myself. But the only thing I can think of doing to make a living is neither being a music teacher or being one of those bassist who plays for like commercials and junk, which would kinda be alright as a hobby but I wouldn't want to do that from 9 to 5 if you catch my drift. Now I know they offer great music programs at Berkley and other good universities but what options do I have guys? I feel like all I can do is play bass as a hobby and forced to pick a non-related bass job

If you're not good and not willing to practice many hours every single day to become an excellent improviser and reader, I would advise to forget it. Oh, and you'd have to learn upright too.

edit: And who told you anyone could work 9-5 on commercials?? That's pretty funny. You'd be lucky to get one day like that every couple of months.

Insomnia_Junkie · #6 10-27-2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

If you're not good and not willing to practice many hours every single day to become an excellent improviser and reader, I would advise to forget it. Oh, and you'd have to learn upright too.

edit: And who told you anyone could work 9-5 on commercials?? That's pretty funny. You'd be lucky to get one day like that every couple of months.

Cut me some slack, I don't know how the process works, much less the hours of work.

phat daddy · #7 10-27-2007, 05:16 AM

I've been a professional bassist for 12 years. Sometimes it's full-time playing in bars, sometimes it's full-time teaching, sometimes it's both, and it's feast or famine when it comes to money. I'd say 8 years of this time I've turned a decent profit, while the other 4 (always in sporatic timing not 8 or 4 years at a time mind you) I've been starving and borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, you know how it goes. You've got to be willing (at times) to starve for your art, and you've got to work hard at your playing and networking so you can keep yourself in demand.

Get to know every guy in every band you see become successful on the scene-- support the bands, go out to shows, buy them drinks, learn to be a good hang, that sort of thing. That part of it is just as important as your playing. When guys in full-time cover bands think of who they want to fill a spot they think mostly of 2 things--
1) The playing
2) Can we hang with this guy 5 nights a week and not hate him?

Spend your days practicing and your nights in the clubs. As far as teaching gigs, they usually come after you've played out full-time and built a reputation as a good, knowledgeable player. Just my 2 cents.