Are you a touring musician or a session musician?

VS · #1 12-19-2010, 09:11 AM

I suppose there are many different personal goals as a musician. Many musicians prefer to be session artist who primarily record, others prefer to be in one band that tours extensively. What are you? -Luke

Swicked · #2 12-19-2010, 09:13 AM

I'm a starving musician. The pizza delivery service is taking ages.

Drifta · #3 12-19-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swicked

I'm a starving musician. The pizza delivery service is taking ages.

you're on a roll this morning man!

VS · #4 12-19-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swicked

I'm a starving musician. The pizza delivery service is taking ages.

My brother delivers pizza at three restaurants! I know what you're going through,lol. -Luke

pasta4lnch · #5 12-19-2010, 09:15 AM

I never toured - only started playing live a few years ago. If I could go back to my twenties I'd LOVE to tour. Now, yeah, I'd still do it for the experience but w/ a bun in the oven I might not have the time

I've done sessions for years - LOVE it, though I'd rather be on the other side of the glass. I like creating sounds through clever usage of mixing, editing and mic'ing etc. or just capturing something awesome ... my 2 ¢

Roy Vogt · #6 12-19-2010, 09:22 AM

I did a lot of touring, now sessions, local work and teaching. Tours are fun, but eventually even your own room at the Hilton is not home.
Pluses: Good income, travel and a chance to see the world, meeting new people, Industry recognition (endorsements, etc.)
Minuses: Hard to do anything else, time away from family, working with "special" Artists for an extended period of time.

Sessions are fun, but I sometimes miss The Road:
Pluses: Sleeping in your own bed, being able to set your own schedule, a wide variety of gigs to keep things interesting.
Minuses: Brutally competitive in places like Nashville, uneven income, waiting to get paid by record companies and music publishers, did I say uneven income?

DanNowhere · #7 12-19-2010, 09:24 AM

Neither. I'm a ham-fisted hack in a crappy local band (or four).

VS · #8 12-19-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

I did a lot of touring, now sessions, local work and teaching. Tours are fun, but eventually even your own room at the Hilton is not home.
Pluses: Good income, travel and a chance to see the world, meeting new people, Industry recognition (endorsements, etc.)
Minuses: Hard to do anything else, time away from family, working with "special" Artists for an extended period of time.

Sessions are fun, but I sometimes miss The Road:
Pluses: Sleeping in your own bed, being able to set your own schedule, a wide variety of gigs to keep things interesting.
Minuses: Brutally competitive in places like Nashville, uneven income, waiting to get paid by record companies and music publishers, did I say uneven income?

Well said! Thank you! -Luke

bassplayer8953 · #9 12-19-2010, 09:29 AM

OP, you left out 1 obvious category, which IMO a lot of us fall into: Weekend Warrior

"Just for fun" denotes a person who might just play at home, or with buddies in a garage band.

Those of us who play bars/gigs, actually make some $$$, but who have day jobs: the "serious hobbyists" should have our own category.

VS · #10 12-19-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer8953

OP, you left out 1 obvious category, which IMO a lot of us fall into: Weekend Warrior

"Just for fun" denotes a person who might just play at home, or with buddies in a garage band.

Those of us who play bars/gigs, actually make some $$$, but who have day jobs: the "serious hobbyists" should have our own category.

Sorry about that. "Just for fun" I think covers just about everything else, including being a "Weekend Warrior". I've been a w.w. myself at one point and even though I was making a lot of money, I'd still place that in the "Just for fun" category. -Luke

Rockmusician · #11 12-19-2010, 05:18 PM

I have done a lot more touring than studio work. I really don't have a preference as long as the songs are fun and I get paid.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #12 12-19-2010, 05:20 PM

I really want to be part of a well established band that tours a lot.

plangentmusic · #13 12-19-2010, 05:27 PM

I made a good living exclusively from music for over 25 years. (New York) Some touring-- no super big names. Some sessions, both commercial and a few record dates. But most of the work was local clubs and eventually peoples demos and weddings and then less weddings and less demos and then next to nothing.

These days, unless you're in a band with a platinum record, or hooked up with major producers, you'll likely struggle to make any money in music.

So now I'm working on writing and orchestrating and I record my own albums. No money there either, but I have to do it.

MrLenny1 · #14 12-19-2010, 05:48 PM

I agree with Plangentmusic. Today it's all or nothing. The work scene has continuously dropped off in the past 20 years so. You have to be lucky to be in a name band or into the upper level recording scene or you are a Weekend warrior one night a week or a hobbyist.
A friend has recently disbanded a very good GB/casual band after 30 years because
he can no longer make a living in the Boston area.