Bass- A part time job?

bassbully · #1 09-13-2011, 12:34 PM

So I am walking thru the warehouse today when one of the workers who knows I'm in a band stops me and said "Playing in your band you make some money right? I said yeah, sometimes it depends but you can...sure! I asked if he played? He said I played a little bass years ago but nothing much and thought it would be a cool way to make extra money

I know this guy is always looking for extra hours, odd jobs, so no foul asking me or for advice but come on! Just pick up, stap on it on, and make $$$$$$

He then said I think its easier than guitar

I said well not really and allot of crappy bassists come from that thought or from bad guitar players who switch to bass after failing on guitar. I went on to tell him if he wanted help I would work with him on gear etc, but he would be out $600-1000 for gear before he even made a buck in a good coverband. I went on to tell him he still needed to learn to properly play and even then had to find and land a land a gig that paid a decent amount. I told him the better bands that are booked and get paid have good players and if there is an opening you have to know your stuff to step in, its not that easy.

After all that he said "Wow" I would have to think abou it.

TheVoiceless · #2 09-13-2011, 12:45 PM

LOL, great story. I think this goes to show how much mystery and mystique is still left in the music business. While I think with the age of the internet more people are aware of what goes into being a musician and being a band member. But I still think the music business is a mystery to most outsiders and even some players.

Stories like this is the reason why you get looked at like you were from Mars when you tell someone $800 is a good deal for a 7 piece band plus sound.

TolerancEJ · #3 09-13-2011, 01:01 PM

lol

...And some Guitarists who, at times, seem surprised to learn that we actually have GAS for nice basses. One really surprised that some of us enjoy nice luthier hand-crafted boutique basses. For whatever reason(s), some believe only guitarists enjoy a nice collection.

turbo chicken · #4 09-13-2011, 01:19 PM

it took me ramping up my practicing to 10-15 hours a week for a few months once i decided i wanted to join a band ... once i got those hours under my belt I finally felt ready to join a band but still wondered if I could land a gig.

That investment to get proficient enough to play live is enough to turn people off.

Infact ... it's a horrible part time job... add in practice time, rehersal time with band, performance time, expenses from traveling to/from practice ... it starts to look ugly fast.

He'd be better off picking up a shift at the local McD's for extra cash.

If someone asked me the same question ... my answer would have been straight up "Yes, I get paid. No, I do not make a profit"

pklima · #5 09-13-2011, 01:20 PM

Heh. I sometimes shatter peoples' illusions like that.

A guy who plays dub reggae and recently moved to this city asked to open for one of my cover bands. After the gig he finds out I play in like four bands, so he asks me if I'm a professional musician. I laugh and say "no, fortunately I have a real job".

The week after one of my other bands played at the company's Christmas party last year, somebody asks me when we're gonna be on MTV. I laugh and say that we all have better career options, even the singers who were still deciding what colleges to apply for. I then added "well, except for our guitarist, he's got a humanities degree and no full-time job, for him being on MTV would probably be a step up".

Originals band thinks I should be credited as one of the writers on one song and listed in the official copyright papers. I do the math and tell them that even if this sells 2000 copies like the label is hoping then writing 1/5 of one song would be worth something like 15 dollars, and that's not worth having more paperwork when filing taxes for the year.

MNAirHead · #6 09-13-2011, 01:23 PM

depending on your area and what he wanted to do, he may be able to pickup a spare $50 on a weekend night... without doing much... There are tons of garage bands like this out there.

rtslinger · #7 09-13-2011, 01:34 PM

Yeah it ain't easy being green a lot of people do not know what we go through and the investments $ and time gets put into playing in a band. Simply put you need to love it or don't even bother. As for it being a part time job I never looked at it like that the $ is just a bonus some one is willing to open their wallet and give me money for doing something I love to do when I would do it for nothing and have as many others here can attest.

bassbully · #8 09-13-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

depending on your area and what he wanted to do, he may be able to pickup a spare $50 on a weekend night... without doing much... There are tons of garage bands like this out there.

Not in this neck of the woods. The market here is pure crap and you have to be a pretty good coverband to make even $300 a night. You would be lucky to get 1-3 gigs a month if your good and really sell yourself and travel.
I told him how tough it is even if you are experienced and have the gear etc. I told him how I was in a good country band for close to two years, that I made $100-120 a night and played more 3-4 times a month but got burned out from the long travel to chase that money from that gig.

We know its tough and It appears fun and easy but its not. Same as being a bass player, I told him it's more than standing there hitting 3 notes all night... EEEEEEEE-AAAAA-DDDD..well for most of us its more than that

Bullitt5135 · #9 09-13-2011, 01:37 PM

This whole concept of getting paid to play is what's holding my band back, IMO. The drummer is so intent on reliving his glory days (and getting paid for it), that he's constantly kicking people out of the band and bringing in new ones. We never get to the point that we have enough of a solid set list to start gigging. Last month, we got paid $50 each to play a party on really short notice. We made a lot of mistakes, but I thought it was a good foundation to build on. By the next day, the band disintegrated due to egos and "we ain't gonna get paid if he's in the band..." Now it's a month later, and we're back at square one looking for a new front man and lead guitar player. I don't see us ever making more than $100pp, assuming we ever get our act together. If the money is so important to these guys, they should get a job at the gas station or something and play music for the love of it.

bassbully · #10 09-13-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullitt5135

This whole concept of getting paid to play is what's holding my band back, IMO. The drummer is so intent on reliving his glory days (and getting paid for it), that he's constantly kicking people out of the band and bringing in new ones. We never get to the point that we have enough of a solid set list to start gigging. Last month, we got paid $50 each to play a party on really short notice. We made a lot of mistakes, but I thought it was a good foundation to build on. By the next day, the band disintegrated due to egos and "we ain't gonna get paid if he's in the band..." Now it's a month later, and we're back at square one looking for a new front man and lead guitar player. I don't see us ever making more than $100pp, assuming we ever get our act together. If the money is so important to these guys, they should get a job at the gas station or something and play music for the love of it.

To some its all about the money and I will never want to play with those people unless it was a pro gig and that isnt going to ever happen to me. I play for the love of playing and making music, being out and in front of a crowd ,sharing time with band,fans friends and money last. I didnt start taking one cent of my band share til after we finished our first album this past June over 2 years of giging before I took a dollar. We all are taking a cut now and its nice but if we go back to band fund to pay for recording..I'm in...I have a job.
Like I told the warehouse worker today, its not easy and it has to be more than about the money to make it work at this level.

Smokin' Toaster · #11 09-13-2011, 02:32 PM

He probably thought he looked pretty good playing "air bass" along with his stereo, so why not just get a real bass and go for it. Easy, huh?

IconBasser · #12 09-13-2011, 02:35 PM

I've yet to figure out how to make money in music. The only idea I've had is to basically use my band as advertising in order to drive T-shirt sales.

LilloEsquilo · #13 09-13-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IconBasser

I've yet to figure out how to make money in music. The only idea I've had is to basically use my band as advertising in order to drive T-shirt sales.

Then you'd be a Gene Simmons clone

IconBasser · #14 09-13-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilloEsquilo

Then you'd be a Gene Simmons clone

perhaps. Please note that Gene Simmons is quite wealthy

matt descending · #15 09-14-2011, 04:55 PM

My ex wife recently told a judge, while trying to get more money out of me, that my band was another employer. Had printouts from our Facebook page of flyers and scheduled shows. After about 45 minutes of being grilled by the judge about the finances of the band, and my breakdown of gear maintenance, travel and other expenses, I walked out paying her $200 less than when I walked in. Best day in court ever. Although now I am officially "on the books" so when they come out with my signature toilet, I may have to pay...

hrodbert696 · #16 09-15-2011, 04:46 AM

I love that this thread is appearing simultaneously with Jive1's announcement that he's just landed three good paying gigs with a minimum of hassle.

MarTONEbass · #17 09-15-2011, 05:11 AM

I treat my band like a part time job, but I also really enjoy playing the music we play.

I had been in original bands that didn't go very far or make a ton of money, then on to rock cover bands that did fairly well and made decent money. I wasn't that thrilled about the music or players. Recently I switched to a funk band. Although I'm making less money, there is potential to make more and I absolutely love the music.

Especially for some of us married guys, its important to balance the love of music with making some money. My gear and gas almost pays for itself now, and the wife is happy when I come home with a few extra dollars after leaving her alone on a weekend night.

pklima · #18 09-15-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

I love that this thread is appearing simultaneously with Jive1's announcement that he's just landed three good paying gigs with a minimum of hassle.

Heh, though it did take him ten years of networking...

It's not that it's not possible to make money playing bass. It is. I'm convinced that anyone who has what it takes to make money playing bass will also have much more lucrative options, though. So, if looking for extra money bass (or music in general) not going to be the best option.

Schlyder · #19 09-15-2011, 05:44 AM

How to become a millionaire in the music business...................................

Start with $2Million.

No Malarky · #20 09-15-2011, 05:53 AM

What Bass is best for wealth, fame, and all around awesomeness?