true to yourself ?

[jacohead]

would you rather produce mainstream music that you did not like just to make money or would you stay true to yourself and only produce the music that you cared about ?

#2, reason why my once-band became a solo project. It's a philosophical thing which can't be taken as universal IMHO.

[AshenBassist]

if i could i'd do both, do the boring mainstream junk to make a living, and go all out on what i cared about in spare time.

but, if forced to choose, i'd say #2

[Basshole]

I have found that producing music that is not "my style" is actually not only rewarding, but can be done from a very analytical perspective, due to the fact that you're less personally involved.

My answer; Why choose?

Do both. If you happen to hit big while doing that which is NOT particularly "your thang", by the time you have everyone's attention, it's much easier to slip in the real deal, and run it up the flagpole...who knows; just maybe someone will salute it.

[ebladeboi123]

Depends, if I enjoy the guys I'm with- i'll do whatever. If there dicks, then I'll part my way. I'm down with alot of music, and as long as I have some freedoms, I'm game. But when producers start to tell me roots stictly, me get mad. It happened once, but he got fired.

Dan

[natselection]

option 1 until i can support a family very well and then #2.

[Dr. Cheese]

I think many professionals are simply happy to make a lving playing music period. I compare it to my profession, a history professor. My specialty is Africa (originally Sudan, later South Africa) I actually spend little time teaching my specialty, but I enjoy teaching history of all kinds, even freshmen level western civ classes.

I'm sure many pros are proud of doing a good job playing in the pit for a Broadway show, and playing their own compositions in a club or a recording date for a small label.

[thebassclef]

For me, I have ventured into the second option (see my myspace page), but I would play mainstream in a studio gig. I don't think I would do it with a band that plays the same songs fairley often (like most would).

[FaithNoMan]

I stay true to myself, even if that means getting ridicule(I play with a pick), and no money(aka - cover band)...

Nothing wrong with cover bands though(or playing with fingers)

..and this is in "Basses"???

[jacohead]

the way i see it is this.. a lot of music in this world is motivated by greed. producers only want your soul to do one thing and thats to make money.. yet the music that is the most accepted is the kind of music that gets fed to our young society that is turning this world into something else. its hard to see all this happening around you when it has become the norm. the world is brainwashed.. money runs our lives. we are never satisfied .

[FaithNoMan]

Originally Posted by jacohead

the way i see it is this.. a lot of music in this world is motivated by greed. producers only want your soul to do one thing and thats to make money.. yet the music that is the most accepted is the kind of music that gets fed to our young society that is turning this world into something else. its hard to see all this happening around you when it has become the norm. the world is brainwashed.. money runs our lives. we are never satisfied .

There is good music out there...if you keep an open mind, and start searching for good music.. most folks don't really care, nor get into music like most of the musicians here...

The producers are really just meeting demand...I'm sure some are "evil", but there really is good music out there....

TalkBass is a good place to start....

[KarateKid25]

Well I play with mates and we just mess around playing what we like. I have another career though, so music is just a hobby for me. I guess that doesn't really count

[lousybassist]

As I don't strive for a career in music, I'm only interested in the second option. I have played in a cover band for quite some time, which is close to option number one, and we hardly played a tune I could remotely relate to or care for. I wouldn't do it again, as it actually took all the fun out of playing, even in my spare time.

[aesir6]

Originally Posted by Basshole

.......My answer; Why choose?

Do both. If you happen to hit big while doing that which is NOT particularly "your thang", by the time you have everyone's attention, it's much easier to slip in the real deal, and run it up the flagpole...who knows; just maybe someone will salute it.

I agree. Just put it right there at them of what your really about after you've gotten there attention.

[stratology]

What's the point of playing music when you play stuff that you hate? Better to start teaching, or getting a day job. Being true to yourself is IMPORTANT!! Especially if you want to express yourself.

[Throckmorten]

Why does it have to be one or the other?

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by stratology

What's the point of playing music when you play stuff that you hate? Better to start teaching, or getting a day job. Being true to yourself is IMPORTANT!! Especially if you want to express yourself.

If playing music is your job, you will certainly play some things that either you don't like or like less than other things. That's the way it is with all jobs I know of.

[BrandonBass]

Imma form a band of pretty boys, write some catchy pop tunes, and hopefully get some media attention. attract stupid boys and teeny bopper chicks to our fanbase. make afew records, get big and one day tell the press that our music is crap and plays some death metal and change the face of music 4ever.

[Cerb]

Just because I don't necessarilly enjoy listening to a type of music doesn't mean I would not play it. So I wouldn't mind either.

[mikezimmerman]

Doesn't this really belong under "Band Management and Performance" rather than "Basses"?