Playing bass guitar: life or hobby?

[duo8675309]

So how serious are you guys about playing? Is holding down the low end the reason God put you on this earth? Do you eat, sleep, and drink the lower spectrum of sound? Or are you a bedroom player? Personally, although I'd really love to join a band and really get out there and make it the center of my life, I'm a member of the latter category - and I'm just fine with that (for now). I use playing as a muse for my creative side. It helps me focus and gets my mind off the day to day problems of life. Honestly it's more of a form of meditation than a hobby. I've been playing for five years now, which I'm sure for some of you might sound like a drop in a bucket. For me, however, it consumes a huge part of my mental activity. I'm always listening for the bass in songs and playing my own bass lines to them, even if I don't have a bass. I think its important to have a consistent focus like that in life. It's good to have something familiar to relate to when everything else around you is changing. I haven't shut the door on performing and writing and the like, but for now I'm a dedicated bedroom player and I'm proud of it!

I know there are some really serious guys on here though, some from some really notable bands. Speak up and share your thoughts!

[Youngspanion]

I've been playing for about 8 years now and I'm almost 43.

Since I can't make it the center of my life, I too am a hobbyist. Family first. I can Identify with the meditative part you speak of. I usually get up about an hour earlier than I need to just to get some good 'meditation' bass playing in. I just make music for myself. I love it. I am always finding other people to play with though. I do enjoy jamming and trying out things with others that I came up with in a morning session.

Good thread.

[snyderz]

I guess you would call it an 'avocation', since I gig, but it's not my vocation.

[duo8675309]

Originally Posted by snyderz

I guess you would call it an 'avocation', since I gig, but it's not my vocation.

I just learned two new words today!

[jacohead]

Music should never be a hobby !

[lunarpollen]

Playing bass is just one of many things I like to engage in during my free time.

[jmattbassplaya]

Music has been a big part of my life ever since I was a little kid. Likewise, bass has been an integral part of my life since I picked it up when I was about 14-15. That said, it`s not the end all to my existence - even though I consider it more than a hobby. It`s just something I`m very passionate about.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Its an extension of being imbued with music. The instrument could go, I suppose, but the music would still be in my head. The fact that my head and my fingers mesh best on the electric bass is really incidental.

So, uh, I guess my vote is "insane hobbyist."

[nutso42]

I play music lots (mostly bass, but I also play piano and guitar), almost constantly. But it's not my life's calling. It'd be neat to make my living playing music, but it's not what I'm striving for.

[staysictonkpils]

i am somewhere in the middle right now maybe one day it'll be more then that.

[trunkshope6]

id like to make it my life but for now its just a hobby

[Vic Winters]

Addiction.

[fenderfunker]

I love my basses, and have done for 36 years. I listen to other bass players all day at work on my ipod, I record, teach, (I used to tour constantly) gig and do a radio show. I paint houses to pay the bills, but I think of myself as a musician first and foremost. So it is probably best described as an obsession.

[DrSmaggs]

I would be the happiest man alive if I made an honest living playing bass, touring around the country/world and entertaining thousands at a time.

[4001]

Since I've put more time and money into playing bass than almost anything else in my 43 years above ground, I'd like to say it's more than a hobby, but to call it more than that is stretching the truth. I have been in more than a few bands and have played lots of gigs and I'm working on a new band now, but until I can make more money at it then a day job can pay me, I'd have to still put it in the hobby range, but since I've been out of work for the last 14 months, I've had the time to get my next band project rolling, so I voted to say I'm somewhere in the middle. In fact, since I've actually made money playing bass in the last 14 months and zero dollars from a day job, I guess its more life.
Oh, what the hell am I saying?

It's a life-long-hobby that has the potential to be more than that.

I'm still not making sense.

I need to go to sleep.
Goodnight.

[Mr. Mig]

"I'm serious about it and enjoy it, but calling it more than a hobby is pushing it".


That's how I see myself.

[klokker]

I practice daily a couple of hours usually, and pick up my bass and diddle around when I'm not busy, also when I'm watching some junk on TV I sit and noodle around on riffs and stuff like that. Play in a band.

Its a hobby, period.

[A-Step-Towards]

I am very serious about it , i am 20 and although i am college i dont want to be. I know however making a living playing is hard so i am getting a legit degree so i can have a "real" job if music never works out for me. However i have played over 6 years , nothing is going to stop me , well unless i lose my hands. When i am not playing bass , i am reading about basses or in class thinking about basses.

[stratovani]

I started playing bass late in life, in my mid-50s, but I don't care about that. I love playing it, I keep my basses handy at all times and I'm constantly noodling around on them. Whether or not I'll ever make any money playing bass is up to the future to decide, but in the meantime I'm constantly learning and practicing. To quote the US Army, I'm looking to be "the best that I can be"!

[Rickett Customs]

I have yet to make a living with it (already have a day job), but by now means would I call it a "hobby", especially investing almost 24 years with it.