At What point did you realize you were a Pro or an Amateur?

[Dr. Cheese]

I think most players, especially if they start pretty young imagine what it would be like to be a pro. I know I did. I started at fifteen, had few lessons, but didn't play out much in high school. In college, I was way behind the curve at first, it was 1978, I loved funk and couldn't slap! I learned how to slap, learned scales, modes, basic theory, and got pretty good after a while. I played in some talent shows but didn't regularly gig. In grad school, I joined a pretty serious band, did some gigs, showcases, and made a studio demo or orginals. I left to work on my Ph.D. and I was pretty good, not studio good, but good enough for a working top forty band. By this time I had some serious offers, I remember one time a guy who recruiting me had me sit in at a local club playing Rick James' "Give It to Me Baby." He had me do a slap solo and I got huge response from the crowd. He a made an offer and I thought it over and I realized that if I really had wanted to go pro, I would be working on a doctorate and that coming in late from a gig and being a grad assistant would not mix too well for a first year doctoral student. I ealized I had held on to the dream of being pro but all of my actions were clearly leading me in another direction.

Obviously, I still love bass as much as I post, but I know that it is a hobby and academia is my profession.

[brianrost]

I'd say the thing that always kept me from turning pro was the fear of starving to death

Once I started making serious money in my day job I was locked into part time playing. I don't regret the decision as I play out a few nights every week and make a decent second income but when bandmates quit their day jobs to go on the road for some very cool gigs I do feel a little jealous.

I'm hoping I'm still enough in demand when I hit retirement that I can finally go full-time

[zac2944]

I always knew that I would never be a pro player. Being a pro musician was never really what I wanted to do with my life anyway.

I think it has a lot to do with my up bringing. I grew up in a hard working lower middle class family. I never new that being a pro musician was an option. All I know was that I had to learn a trade of some sort. So I went into engineering. The idea of chasing dreams like music or art wasn't an option. It was always encouraged as a hobby, but never a career.

I'm very happy to be an armature musician, it is definitely the a major part of who I am.

[eldave777]

I guess I became a pro when playing bass was my only job. Playing Beale Street in Memphis is a sure sign.