Who wants there kids to be a Musician?

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

I want my kids to move out from the house.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by BBox Bass

I am childfree, but I've been listening with interest to my bands' virtuoso guitarist as he has discussed his daughters' future in regards to music. Last time I asked if he was encouraging them to play, he said no because he doesn't want them to end up the way he did--an unemployed high school dropout. He claims he quit school because he planned on being a rock star, but never made it past the local level. He believes he threw his future away because he was so into his music and he doesn't want his kids doing the same thing.

Knowing him like I do, I know I will get nowhere by pointing out that there is a middle ground, which I'm an example of. I have been playing bass since I was 13, I obtained a Ph.D., teach college, and am currently playing in 2 cover bands with him. As far as I'm concerned, it's all good. It's a great hobby, and I wish more parents would encourage it.

Very interesting and I have seen that so many times.

[Bassist30]

I just got back seeing my daughter elementary school's winter concert. My daughter played second violin and chorus. She does have the bug. A very good artist (painting and charcoal) also. But she is also very interested in animals and did mention when she was 5 that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She is 10 and as a father I am leaning towards the career of veterinarian. I feel she will make a better living whereby she can support herself and not depend on anyone. Just that right now the way the economy is I do fear the possible future. There is no doubt in my mind that even Broadway will one day be electronic without musicians. You can do a big band gig with great musicians and make hardly anything. Club work pay has not changed in 10 years. I feel unless we as musicians don't change the situation (example supporting Musician Unions) I am afraid what may happen. Remember a DJ can bring an Ipod and a great sound system. And you pay one or two people. Is electronics going to change everything? It did in the studio environment in the mid to late 80's where you had great studio musicians making tons of money . Now you can throw a rock at each home studio. But when you want to play you just got to do it.

[electracoyote]

I want all my kids to be smart and educated, and if they want music to play a part in their lives, I'm all for it. How far they take it is entirely up to them, but I give them the following advice (the same I give to my studernts): Wherever you go, whatever you play, whether you're the only one in the room, or a gathering of 20, or a concert hall with 20,000, you are front and center for every session or performance. Make yourself happy and content with what you produce. It's really for you first, and if it pleases others, that's the bonus.

All three of my boys received guitars and basses and amps, but they gravitated toward more formal school band stuff. My feelings aren't hurt. They're doing it their way. And that's what really matters.

One of my sons is a section leader in the CU marching band in Boulder, Colorado. I'm very proud of him.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by KJung

Simple answer... NO WAY!

Here is IMO a wonderful thread discussing the current state of the music industry, and it has gotten MUCH worse since I started that thread (in 2006!). Great discussion on this topic IMO.

The Decline in Gigging Opportunities....

That was very good KJung. Did not know it existed. Yes i read one of your post that you are over for the rest of the year with gigs. 6 and 7 nights a week isn't so easy to get these days. Unless you doing a show. Corporate gigs I am sure has gone down at least 50% from 10 years ago. Just to get off the topic my wife is buying me the Concourse 600.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

I want my kids to move out from the house.

That's what the basement and/or garage is for .

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I want all my kids to be smart and educated, and if they want music to play a part in their lives, I'm all for it. How far they take it is entirely up to them, but I give them the following advice (the same I give to my studernts): Wherever you go, whatever you play, whether you're the only one in the room, or a gathering of 20, or a concert hall with 20,000, you are front and center for every session or performance. Make yourself happy and content with what you produce. It's really for you first, and if it pleases others, that's the bonus.

All three of my boys received guitars and basses and amps, but they gravitated toward more formal school band stuff. My feelings aren't hurt. They're doing it their way. And that's what really matters.

One of my sons is a section leader in the CU marching band in Boulder, Colorado. I'm very proud of him.

Thats great coyote.

[hsech]

My sons are both in their 30's and single. One plays Drums and Bass (yea) the other one can't carry a tune in a bucket.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by Roadkill

That's what the basement and/or garage is for .

Never get them out of the house. But the intention is for our children to have good and prosperous lives. That is what all parents want. So , but if they get there craft together in the basement who knows.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by hsech

My sons are both in their 30's and single. One plays Drums and Bass (yea) the other one can't carry a tune in a bucket.

Curious. How are they doing?

[pokengkong]

If my daughter wants to do music full-time and she has the talent (she's only 16 months right now), then I am all for it. You got to do what you love. I don't want her stuck in some office pushing paper if her calling is music.

Young rock star dreamers who want to be a full-time musician must understand that if you choose music as a career, then you have to treat it as a business. That means you have to study music, learn networking skills, learn people skills, understand accounting. You have to dress for success, workout at the gym, take care of your skin, diet,...it's show business, gotta look good. Choosing music as a career isn't an excuse to be a drunk, do drugs and be irresponsible. Talent is not enough, you need to work at it 50 hours a week, just like any business person. A successful business person goes to work on time, works well with others, dresses appropriately, studies new technologies to keep up with their field. You got to do the same in music. I bring in great income as a corporate cover band musician. But, I spend substantially more time making sure my business it tight than actually playing my bass.

[fdeck]

I come from a family that has encouraged a love of music, for generations. I think that music is just part of the good life -- that it stands among the other treasures of our civilization such as math, science, literature, etc.

If you've got small kids, I highly recommend giving classical music a whirl. There are many advantages of instruments such as violin and piano. They work for small hands. There are very well thought-out teaching programs for kids, teachers who specialize in this, ensembles to play in, and so forth.

And I think that kids get classical music. It's melodic, and I think that kids can grasp melodies at an early age. Performances -- large and small -- tend to be family friendly and visually impressive. The classical scene has for the most part adopted a mission of passing music along to the next generation, so most performers are enthusiastic about interacting with kids. And if the kids haven't been Disney-zombified, then they have no idea that classical isn't "cool." You can fool them for a while.

Nothing about learning classical music prevents kids from picking up a rock instrument when they're old enough, as I did when I was a teenager.

One more thing about classical is that there's an automatic filter for kids deciding if they want to do it as a career, which is that you have to be jaw-droppingly good.

[SquierJazz72]

It's a question where I find it easy to be conflicted, in retrospect.

I think maybe there's two main types of musicians. Those who have it as a hobby, or side gig, and also do something else as a living. Nothing wrong with that, doesn't mean they're not good, don't love music enough, or anything else. It just is what it is, no offense intended to anyone.

Then there are those who are more born to do it, perhaps. Years ago, music was all I wanted. The drive was burning, the dream was alive. But, of course, my family never supported it, just criticized and told me how impossible it was, go do something "real". So I caved, tried to please them.
Been miserable ever since, higher education was a failure, my heart was never in anything else.

So, I am working to get back to a point of being able to go out and do something. No rock star illusions, and I know it's a tough market, but it's me. Gotta get back out there and see where it goes.

So, to elaborate on my earlier post, I will not discourage my daughter in any way or treat her as I was treated, if she takes interest and has the drive and talent. But I will make sure knows what it will take to get there and help her have those skills. IF she takes interest.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by SquierJazz72

It's a question where I find it easy to be conflicted, in retrospect.

I think maybe there's two main types of musicians. Those who have it as a hobby, or side gig, and also do something else as a living. Nothing wrong with that, doesn't mean they're not good, don't love music enough, or anything else. It just is what it is, no offense intended to anyone.

Then there are those who are more born to do it, perhaps. Years ago, music was all I wanted. The drive was burning, the dream was alive. But, of course, my family never supported it, just criticized and told me how impossible it was, go do something "real". So I caved, tried to please them.
Been miserable ever since, higher education was a failure, my heart was never in anything else.

So, I am working to get back to a point of being able to go out and do something. No rock star illusions, and I know it's a tough market, but it's me. Gotta get back out there and see where it goes.

So, to elaborate on my earlier post, I will not discourage my daughter in any way or treat her as I was treated, if she takes interest and has the drive and talent. But I will make sure knows what it will take to get there and help her have those skills. IF she takes interest.

Yes, New York Symphony is a great gig. But in many fields of music, teaching privately is almost a must to help with finances. Even in their case.

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by BottomThumper

My parents made No bones about it- music is all well and good, but get a 'real' job. I interpreted that to mean 'you'll never make it in music.' So I always treated my music as a slightly direputable but desirable mistress.

My parents gave me that same crap. I never had a "real" job, and 15 years later I was able to loan them quite a lot of money. Parents are often right about these things, but it's fantastic when they're wrong. I still give my mum grief about it (in a fun way of course).

[SquierJazz72]

teaching privately is almost a must to help with finances.

Well, don't want to wander too far off yakking about me, so I'll just say this.
Teaching is an angle i've considered too, even gathered the resources to teach properly, not in a patchwork fashion.

We have a low, but fairly stable income, so the important things are taken care of. I would be using my skills to boost our income, not make a sole living on it unless I actually got that chance.

[Ric5]

Unless your kid is an extreemly gifted singer then have them not pursue music as a career. A career at MacDonalds would probably be better than music.

[Stick_Player]

Originally Posted by Ric5

Unless your kid is an extreemly gifted singer then have them not pursue music as a career. A career at MacDonalds would probably be better than music.

Yes, a McDonald's order-taker with a Ph. D. from a fancy school!

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by Stick_Player

Yes, a McDonald's order-taker with a Ph. D. from a fancy school!

Thats Sad.

[beggar98]

My kids will be in piano lessons as soon as they're physically big enough to play. Never mind whether they pursue music as a career, I don't really care if they even like playing. Study after study shows that kids who have studied music fare far better in math and science, and that is where the future lies.