Quit the dayjob for a life of music?

need4mospd · #1 11-18-2009, 04:50 PM

First off, if anyone has done this, I would seriously like your input. Second off, if you make it through this all, you win a car.....ing friend.

Currently, I'm working the typical 8-5 day job as an architect, 5 years has passed since my time at a 4 year college, which puts me at 27. I hate it. I mean, it has it's fun points(not many in reality), and I've ALWAYS wanted to do it growing up. But now that I'm here... Now that I can see exactly what I'll be doing for the rest of my life, I don't want it. It's become impossible for me to get motivated over coming to work and doing my job, which of course is affecting my performance. I've tried. I really have. I've put in the time to learn my craft properly and I'm successful when I put my mind to it. But I distance myself from it as far as I can when I'm not at work, and admittedly sometimes while I'm AT work. So, something has to change here either way, my attitude or my career path.

My musical background is fairly extensive, though not as much as I'd like for my age. I've experienced a top notch boys choir that took me across the country and halfway around the world. I've done the jazz choir in high school, as a singer, bassist, pianist, and guitarist. I had roughly 8 years of classical piano lessons as a child. From what others tell me, I have an incredible ear, picking up new tunes takes minutes, if not on the fly. Every chance my friends get, I get an earful about how I made a mistake not going to music school. Basically, I'm just trying to say I'm a competent musician and I wouldn't have a hard time getting into a decent music school. I live for the music and I really wouldn't care if I lost my job tomorrow, if it weren't for the wife and kid.

Which brings me to my next point... I can't afford to be without income. My wife does work, but we've bought into a lifestyle that is significantly better than what I could afford otherwise. A lifestyle that really doesn't matter(to me) in the long run if I feel like I'm wasting my life everyday. I could possibly afford a night school/part-time music education if one existed, and I'm sure I could find part-time work in my current field as I have extensive knowledge in certain valuable areas, as well as other valuable crafts that often get outsourced in the field. So to me, I could make the money thing work, but it would damn near kill me, and probably stress out the family life.

As far as my wife supporting this decision, well, that's a talk we haven't got to yet. Before I go spout some life changing idea off at her and scare her half to death, I want to know that it's actually feasible. I'm gonna dig in and do the research and plan it so that if I'm able to do so, I'll have the support for my case. I'm in no way making this decision behind her back. She knows I'm not happy where I'm at, and she knows I'd probably rather be doing music at this point in my life. She also knows I can't really do both and be happy, while maintaining the family life. Who here can work 8 to 5, gig at night, and still have time for family? To clarify this, family is the most important thing to me, but right up there is the whole "being happy" thing. When everyone is happy with themselves, it makes everyone else around them even happier.

Maybe I shouldn't be asking the internet for my life changing answers, and well, I'm not really. But some input on my situation, some outside perspective, would be awesome. And to clarify, I would be going to music school under a graduate program or a dedicated music school of some kind. Then pursuing making a living as a bass player. I don't mind teaching also, and can do so on multiple instruments.

Anyways, I'm sorting of running out of steam and rambling a bit, so I'll end this post and see what responses roll in.

MakiSupaStar · #2 11-18-2009, 04:56 PM

Good luck with wifey. You'll need it.

**Marcus Willett** · #3 11-18-2009, 05:05 PM

I'm going to do it full time!

TrooperFarva · #4 11-18-2009, 07:04 PM

Could you get a different job, in the same field that you're in now, that you may like, or is that not very likely?

I'm 27 as well. I'm an electrical engineer. So are a bunch of my friends from college. I wouldn't want any of their jobs, they're stuck in the office all day, every day, mainly working with theory. My current job, and my past jobs, have all been interesting, because they involve a lot of travel, a lot of work on site, and a lot of design. I sought out these jobs because I knew I would like them. These jobs were also helped by the employees there. I have fun at work, I like to work with these guys, and we get a lot of work done in the process.

That said, if you're dead set on transitioning to a life of music, my advice would be to land a solid position somewhere, before you quit your job.

warwick.hoy · #5 11-18-2009, 07:12 PM

I didn't read the linked thread, but in today's job market,....quitting your job is probably a bad move, especially if you don't have anything lined up (as mentioned by TrooperFarva).

Lot's of people work at jobs they hate so they can do the things they love. Consider setting up a studio, if you can write consider jingle writing or learning to sight read and sit in on sessions in the evenings (don't know if Houston is a hot bed of recording). Start small and work your way up before you quit your sure thing job.

guitfiddle0409 · #6 11-18-2009, 07:12 PM

Subtract the amount of money you'd make as a full-time musician from what you make at your day gig now. That's the amount you'd be missing per annum. Can you deal with that deficit? If you can't, don't do it.

need4mospd · #7 11-18-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Willett

I'm going to do it full time!

THAT, was exactly what I was looking for. Not sure I even need to keep this thread open now...

**Marcus Willett** · #8 11-18-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need4mospd

THAT, was exactly what I was looking for. Not sure I even need to keep this thread open now...

Glad to help. Best of luck and choose wisely...

bwv1013 · #9 11-19-2009, 12:44 AM

your situation is eerily similar to mine when i was 27. i made the jump from a 9-5er and now make a living with music. i'll spare the rest of TB the gory details but send me a PM if you like and i can relay my version of the working musician story. best of luck and do what you love.

mrpackerguy · #10 11-19-2009, 06:59 AM

Just seems like the worst time in a long time to be considering that move. If it didn't work out, what chance would you have of getting a similar job to your old job with an over 10% unemployment rate in this country.

**john turner** · #11 11-19-2009, 07:26 AM

my advice is to get some gigs along with your current job. i know it's going to be hard, but it's at least going to bridge you from one career to the next. i know you feel like you -have- to do this to feel happy, but believe me, if you don't do it right you're going to pay for it for the rest of your life, and in ways you may not even realize.

and i think it would be great for folks who have done this to post their indepth experiences with it.

need4mospd · #12 11-19-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpackerguy

Just seems like the worst time in a long time to be considering that move. If it didn't work out, what chance would you have of getting a similar job to your old job with an over 10% unemployment rate in this country.

The unemployment rate in my industry is probably more like 30-40% in some areas, and still falling. At this rate, losing my current job might happen without my consent. Would I rather quit a job knowing I have a plan for moving forward in place, or get laid off and have nothing waiting? I certainly have plans if that does happen, but they're not pretty. Just another thing to pile on here.

need4mospd · #13 11-19-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Willett

Glad to help. Best of luck and choose wisely...

Choose wisely...

I can think of 2 or 3 instances where that didn't happen before and now I'm in this situation. First was college, why didn't I just do music school? Second was coming out of college, I'd been working for a couple years already and knew I hated it. Those are the big ones. I just don't want to look back 40 years from now and say, "I should have done it while I still had the chance..." I just don't see myself regretting a decision to make music my life, and I regret not doing it earlier EVERYDAY of my life.

Thanks guys.

RCCollins · #14 11-19-2009, 08:33 AM

You have a day job? Keep it.

zachbass02 · #15 11-19-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need4mospd

The unemployment rate in my industry is probably more like 30-40% in some areas, and still falling. At this rate, losing my current job might happen without my consent. Would I rather quit a job knowing I have a plan for moving forward in place, or get laid off and have nothing waiting? I certainly have plans if that does happen, but they're not pretty. Just another thing to pile on here.

if you're laid off, take the unemployment or severance package to get things rolling. If you quit, your just up a creek if you have nothing else going at that point. Try getting as many pickup gigs as you can whilest keeping your day gig. If you're not already playing out a lot and at least making some sort of income for your services, don't expect it to happen just cause you no longer have a desk. Also, music education is a great thing. however, i know of ton of guys here in Nashville that never went to school and make a great living at music. I also know ones that regret going through school, cause now they have $80,000 in student loans to pay off in a field that sometimes (often) doesn't pay great or they can't find a steady work in.

LiF · #16 11-19-2009, 09:11 AM

Are you gigging currently?

If so, how often? Do you like what you are doing music-wise?

Would you be prepared to move to LA or New York to give yourself a better chance?

Would you be prepared to take gigs you don't particularly like, to pay the bills?

Are you good at networking? My impression, talking to a few pros, is that counts a lot in being successful.

Look at this thread, interesting comment from the OP in post number 16.

http://stuartzender.net/forum/showth...?t=4503&page=2

need4mospd · #17 11-19-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiF

Look at this thread, interesting comment from the OP in post number 16.

http://stuartzender.net/forum/showth...?t=4503&page=2

I'm not a member of that forum so I can't see the comment. Could you copy it for me?

Thanks for the input guys.

**john turner** · #18 11-19-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachbass02

if you're laid off, take the unemployment or severance package to get things rolling. If you quit, your just up a creek if you have nothing else going at that point. Try getting as many pickup gigs as you can whilest keeping your day gig. If you're not already playing out a lot and at least making some sort of income for your services, don't expect it to happen just cause you no longer have a desk. Also, music education is a great thing. however, i know of ton of guys here in Nashville that never went to school and make a great living at music. I also know ones that regret going through school, cause now they have $80,000 in student loans to pay off in a field that sometimes (often) doesn't pay great or they can't find a steady work in.

THIS! definitely, if you have the possibility of getting laid off, wait for that. don't be hasty, seriously. get something lined up before you bail, and i don't mean just a few hundred bucks a week. you will be eligible for unemployment if you get laid off. wait for it.

**john turner** · #19 11-19-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need4mospd

Choose wisely...

I can think of 2 or 3 instances where that didn't happen before and now I'm in this situation. First was college, why didn't I just do music school? Second was coming out of college, I'd been working for a couple years already and knew I hated it. Those are the big ones. I just don't want to look back 40 years from now and say, "I should have done it while I still had the chance..." I just don't see myself regretting a decision to make music my life, and I regret not doing it earlier EVERYDAY of my life.

Thanks guys.

i would say you need to build your plan around "what if i fail". you need to have contingencies in place in case you do. that's all i'm going to say - you have people relying on you now for -their- survival (kids? at least wife - you're going to ask her, at the very least, to do without a lot of what she has come to expect in her lifestyle, just so you could be "happy", and i say that in quotes because you've never done what you want to do, so you don't know.)

you mention about "who here can do an 8 to 5, maintain a family life, and develop their music career" - the point is that you can do -anything- if you have a plan.

set goals, and get started, and remember that if you are doing those 25-hour days, it's not going to be forever, because you have a plan, right? you can do anything in the short term, if it's serving the plan.

scottice · #20 11-19-2009, 09:40 AM

You have a very envious job... one to be looked up to along with doctors and lawyers and such. Your job influences the lives of average everyday people in a positive way by surrounding them with functional beauty. If you spent 4 years in college chasing your dream and now have worked your dream to death and are sick of it then that sucks. Perhaps you should find a different firm?

If you and your family can make it by you turning your back on your chosen profession then by all means go for it. But, IMHO you need to find that spark that made you want to be an architect in the first place. My 2 cents.