very serious life decision (like really)

charliefreak · #1 09-29-2010, 01:03 AM

Tbers,

I have a pretty deep one for ya.

I am in a band that has had a lot of hard work behind it. it is not my favorite type of music. we have several shows booked and touring through the winter (dec-feb). I have had an offer from another band to join. this band is extremely talented. plays very cool music, and has a lot of money and connections. they have huge plans but nothing is absolutely 100% certain with them now except for the songs they have written. I do believe that this new band has more marketing potential and could result in a better future.

Now, would you take the band with the certainty of some slight immediate success. or the band with the slight chance of some distant future huge success? I'm 18 years old and dropped out of college. this is a serious life decision for me.

Let me know what you'd do!
w

GradyBass · #2 09-29-2010, 01:06 AM

Two things, buck!

ONE- NOTHING in life is 100% certain. Not this band, not that; not this girlfriend, not that.

TWO- While it may seem like a huge life decision, and serious it may be, don't think that your decision is the one that you MUST carry out for your entire life. Never keep going back to college off the table. It's ALWAYS an option.

Simon Kamp · #3 09-29-2010, 01:14 AM

Is the new band just starting out now, or will you be replacing another bassplayer?
Does the new band have any almost agreed on gigs, or what do you mean by "nothing is absolutely 100% certain"?
Also is the band you're currently in your only support financially?

nicoli · #4 09-29-2010, 01:28 AM

If money is an issue, or if your bass playing is a main source of your income, you gotta take the currently booked gigs in my opinion. Firstly, it sounds like you already committed to them, and secondly they're the only guaranteed money right now.

If you're more concerned with personal enjoyment, and would prefer the possiblity of success with a project you might be more interested in, choose the second band.

Personally, I have always loved playing and traveling so I'd take the guaranteed paid road trip.

Munjibunga · #5 09-29-2010, 02:30 AM

How long have you been in the band you're in?

baron665 · #6 09-29-2010, 02:52 AM

You have gigs booked already, don't bail on them. Unless you find a suitable bass player before then.

ggunn · #7 09-29-2010, 06:18 AM

Never, never, never (IMO) bet on a band "making it", no matter how cool you think their material is. It's like betting on filling an inside straight on the draw; the odds are astronomical against it. And never back out on your obligations if you want to be considered a professional.

fleabee · #8 09-29-2010, 06:22 AM

At 18 years old more than likely you won't wind up staying with either band in the future. Your music preferences will change as you get older too. Just go with the safer gig for now{current one}.

giacomini · #9 09-29-2010, 06:47 AM

I'd say choose whichever band you think you'll like more, but go back to college. I dropped out and kept coming back for a few years, then stopped. Now I'm 25 and starting college again, but this time for good. I regret I didn't finish college before, now I would earn 150% more in my job because they care about a degree... Maybe not your case, but still a valid point, I think!

Anyway, keep rocking on!

Philbiker · #10 09-29-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliefreak

Tbers,

I have a pretty deep one for ya.

I am in a band that has had a lot of hard work behind it. it is not my favorite type of music. we have several shows booked and touring through the winter (dec-feb). I have had an offer from another band to join. this band is extremely talented. plays very cool music, and has a lot of money and connections. they have huge plans but nothing is absolutely 100% certain with them now except for the songs they have written. I do believe that this new band has more marketing potential and could result in a better future.

Now, would you take the band with the certainty of some slight immediate success. or the band with the slight chance of some distant future huge success? I'm 18 years old and dropped out of college. this is a serious life decision for me.

Let me know what you'd do!
w

Go back to college.

Pilgrim · #11 09-29-2010, 10:01 AM

FIRST thing to do - no matter what - no matter your goals:

GO BACK TO COLLEGE.

You can't afford to be without that degree. It will cost you money every day of your life, and it doesn't get any easier to go. Do it NOW while you can.

Frankly, the band doesn't matter that much. Go back to college, and make it work with the band you're in at present.

dj150888 · #12 09-29-2010, 10:37 AM

Just on all the "Go back to college" comments.

While I don't doubt the benefits of college education, (I'm entering my 4th of 7-8 years of it at the minute), I really don't think its for everyone, nor do I think its the be-all and end-all of life. My younger brother didn't go to college, and currently earns a fair chunk more than most of my graduate friend and more than I'll be expecting to earn for my first few years as a graduate at least.

Going off to college half-assed because you think its what you should do, rather than because its what you WANT to do is, in my eyes, much more foolish than not going to college and spending those years persuing another career choice you want.

Perhaps my outlook is naive, but instead of looking at your own personal situation, try and look at it from the perspective of someone with totally different goals and priorities in life. If you want to, for example, be a carpenter/joiner, is the time you would spend at college not better spent in vocational education or gaining actual job experience?

M0ses · #13 09-29-2010, 10:54 AM

College is a good thing, but you're right, it's not everything. If you're not on the streets, and you're happy, then that's good enough.

Now, why don't you just play in two bands?

chondro776 · #14 09-29-2010, 11:01 AM

Seriously, with the 'go back to school' stuff- give it a rest dad(s).

There are a plethora of people out there with degrees and no job right now. College does NOT equate with instant or guaranteed success anymore. Get yourself educated to be sure, otherwise you won't go far in life. However, thinking that college is the only or even most efficient way to do this is just incorrect.

I say eff college, go live a life. It doesn't matter which band you go with, both will split up within a year (in ALL probability).

Tampabass · #15 09-29-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chondro776

There are a plethora of people out there with degrees and no job right now.

True statement, in and of itself. And that's REALLY true right now, while we're still in a deep recession (no matter what your govt. tells you).

But also true and worth considering, are the hundreds or thousands of surveys/polls comparing lifetime earnings of someone who has a college degree with lifetime earnings of someone who doesn't have a college degree. Guess who gets the short end of the stick?

So if you have the smarts, then do your best to get an undergrad degree. Many, many, MANY (most) companies will not hire someone who doesn't have a college degree.

And 99.9% of those playing music, particularly those in their 20s unlucky enough to be born AFTER the end of the golden era for live music, are not going to be able to make a decent living playing music full time.

Sorry, it's just the facts. Wise folks learn from others' experiences.

More "dad" advice: Stay in the band you have guaranteed gigs with. Figure out a way to get back in college. And stay away from the "for-profit" colleges.

FromTheBassMent · #16 09-29-2010, 11:20 AM

My dad spent his entire life trying to make money doing something he disliked. He's now in his 80s and still trying to "make the big deal." He has had no happiness in his career.

He taught me a lesson by example. DO WHAT YOU LOVE. The money will come if you are doing something that you feel an emotional attachment to.

I've been playing out for over 30 years, and I've played in bands where I didn't particularly like the music or my bandmates, but made money. I don't have fond memories of those experiences. Now I'm in a band playing music that I love, with guys who are truly my friends (and with my wife, which is also very cool). I know that what I make on music doesn't cover what I spend on making music (it's not my full-time career), but I will cherish this time as long as I live.

Being a career musician is a tough road. Don't make it harder on yourself by playing music that means nothing to you.

Take that as two cents worth from an old fart.

Good luck with your career!

Zolbol · #17 09-29-2010, 11:34 AM

Um... Dude.... You're 18!! There's no such thing as a life decision at 18 man... Rock on rock out and follow your heart..

Happiness will follow..

nealw · #18 09-29-2010, 11:40 AM

You're 18. Play the music that makes you happy, because this may be the last time in your life you have the freedom you have now. Obligations pile up fast as you get older.

ggunn · #19 09-29-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromTheBassMent

He taught me a lesson by example. DO WHAT YOU LOVE. The money will come if you are doing something that you feel an emotional attachment to.

As many times I have heard that said, I cannot agree with it 100%. Do what you love, yes, but make sure that which you love has some commercial value.

GreggBummer · #20 09-29-2010, 11:50 AM

Consider this: You are a broken wrist away from not being able to play bass for a living. Stuff happens. Have a back up plan that doesn't involve rolling tacos at The Bell.

Regarding your choice... go with the music you love. If there is no passion, you are bound for heartache.