Anyone else in this boat?

[LaklandBass]

So I recently quit my band. I had been with them for about a year and they had been together for about 5 years.
The reason I quit is because I realized that I already make more than most signed musicians so I found it foolish to continue spending all the gas and rehearsal money for something that I would ultimately turn down if we got a record offer. Theres just no way that I would/could take that large of a pay cut to go on tour.
Anyone else in this situation?
I still love playing and Ill continue to play. I told my drummer when I quit that I would most likely find a band that was closer to me and didnt have to pay for a rehearsal space. The band I was in was just too much investment for something that I realized I didnt want.

[jmattbassplaya]

I think that happens to most people.

[skychief]

i feel your pain.

[LaklandBass]

indeed guys. It sucked to come to this conclusion yet at the same time I feel liberated. Im planning on getting back to a 6 string and focusing on my own material as well as just jamming with friends. Itll be great to be able to play with bro's and not have to deal with "band meetings" ever again.

[soulman969]

I guess I learned early on that music was not something I would ever do for a living so I've never been in a band where "real life" didn't take precedence over my entertaining.

So few "make it" that spending huge amounts if time and money becoming an all originals act just wasn't worth it to me and never will be. It's always been a very nice paid avocation.

I think you made the right decision. Waiting for that record deal only to be yanked around even more by the rigors of travel and promoting it won't make it any more enjoyable either. Been there, done that.

For most recording bands that never make it to the top touring is like playing Class D minor league baseball. Only the big acts get to go in comfort and style like major league teams.

[pklima]

Oh yeah. I figured this out early on when a couple of guys in a reasonably successful band quit their support jobs at Apple so they could have the flexibility to tour and record. One was fired by email while in the studio, and eventually ended up delivering pizzas.

I mean, yeah, if I really "made it to the top" with the right band I might make more than I do in my day job today, but if I "make it to the top" in my day job I'll be making millions and no band in the world can compete.

Originally Posted by soulman969

touring is like playing Class D minor league baseball

...which is the saddest of all leagues, I find. People weep instantly when they watch it.

[erigod23]

Originally Posted by pklima

...which is the saddest of all leagues, I find. People weep instantly when they watch it.

That's some funny stuff right there!

[cashpoor51]

To play music is a gift and a treat for me and when I get the chance to do it I love it
To give up my day job that paid all my bills and put my kids through
college I don't think so
If you really have the goods you can make a nice living playing
but its alot of work and alot of traveling and kissin the right (u know) to make even the smallest dent in the music buis as a bass player

[marijn van gils]

Well, for most of us music is just a hobby (meaning it is not our main income, not that we are not passionate). For some, this hobby pays for itself or even a bit more through gigs, but for others it only costs money like most hobbies do.

Wheather or not the enjoyment you get from a particular project is worth the financial investment to you, is in the end a personal decision...

[spade2you]

I am also in this boat. It's not the worst thing in the world whenever you're making more money, thus I can't complain. Once I graduated and was employed, I quickly figured this out.

Keep in mind, most professional musicians are generally working in music stores and a strong(er) percentage of their income comes from the music store these days. Easier to pay less for a DJ or not pay some original band.

Another thing I noticed is that these bands often have higher turnover. My hours are far from 9 to 5, but giving up every Friday and Saturday night isn't on the menu.

This is why I only focus on bands that would be fun to me.

[robthebassplaye]

Hey - it's a tough way to make a living... If you can find any gig that can pay the bills regularly, consider yourself blessed... Playing Bass is not an easy way to become financially independant.

So, if cash flow is the focus, then make the right decisions along the way and follow the money - it sounds like you have the ability to figure out your actual profits vs expenses, so do what's right and trust your gut.

There are a lot of folks that I have met over the years that want to make music their career. Its hard, and not all that financially rewarding. So, you have to balance that with what is important to you in life. Some make a bazillion dollars, most get enough cash to pay for gas money and the loans on their gear. Some run in the red.

It's not an easy life. Best wishes, follow your dreams, but make sure you can pay the bills. Thats my .02 cents...

Rob

[duff beer]

I took lessons from a very good bass player a couple years ago. He has won awards and is considered one of the best in the area. We are both the same age (49). He gets calls at 9:00 PM to sub for 10:00 across the city to earn $50 - $100. Driving across Winnipeg when it is -30 and not having a place to plug in your car gets old real fast. He gives lessons to supplement his income, but he relies on his wife's job for benefits and a steady pay cheque.

I will be retired comfortably when I am 55...he doesn't have a pension plan. Although he has loads of talent and has played with some big names, I would never trade places with him. Keep your job and play for fun.

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by soulman969

So few "make it" that spending huge amounts if time and money becoming an all originals act just wasn't worth it to me and never will be. It's always been a very nice paid avocation.

+1

And even being a signed band doesn't mean you'll be raking it in. There are cover bands that make double and triple per night what some signed bands make - and I'm talking about signed bands that you may even own albums by.

I have a friend who quit a signed last summer, because he saw how much debt the band was going to incur just to record and promote its debut album - and he had a fledgling tattoo career that was already showing that it had much more financial security. He quit and was quickly replaced by the bass player from the guitarist's last band, even though it's my friend's bass playing still on the debut. The new guy gets the credit, and I think there's a blurb about my friend in the album's "Thank You" section of the liner notes.

They were on some small time tours late last year and early this year in which they actually paid the headliner $400 a night. The singer quit his day gig and the label paid him a sizable stipend to cover what he'd be making, which he still has to pay back. They were touring with Saving Abel a while back and I think they may be currently touring with another fairly known national...so maybe it will all payoff in the end. I hope they do well.

My friend said being in the studio sucked. The producer literally and consciously buried the bass in the mix.

[longfinger]

It's not just about making money. If you love your day job, and you want to spend the best and most vital hours of your life working it, then great, go for it. You absolutely did the right thing, However, many other people do their full-time day job just make some money, hoping to "live their life" outside of work hours, only to find that outside of work hours, they're simply too tired and spent to do anything awe-inspiring, just wind down, recover and prepare for the next day at work... What kind of life is that?

That being said, once the 'making money' requirement is taken out of music activity, people are free to do lovely, creative, money-losing work that moves them emotionally. That's good too.

[LaklandBass]

I really appreciate all the responses guys. Things like this are why i love TB so much. We really are a family.

[makkE]

I can understand this totally. For the band it will be better to find someone who wants to go the unsecure route with them than to have their bassist quit at a crucial moment.

Sounds like you will be fine on your own with your six-string until you find a better match.
Having fun is more important than "making it" - especially these days where it's getting harder and harder to make a living from music alone.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

So I recently quit my band. I had been with them for about a year and they had been together for about 5 years.
The reason I quit is because I realized that I already make more than most signed musicians so I found it foolish to continue spending all the gas and rehearsal money for something that I would ultimately turn down if we got a record offer. Theres just no way that I would/could take that large of a pay cut to go on tour.
Anyone else in this situation?
I still love playing and Ill continue to play. I told my drummer when I quit that I would most likely find a band that was closer to me and didnt have to pay for a rehearsal space. The band I was in was just too much investment for something that I realized I didnt want.

Sad but true, being signed these days just means owing some third rate company money. Unless your 17 why would anyone go on tour playing the same small venues making $13.00 a day.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by duff beer

I took lessons from a very good bass player a couple years ago. He has won awards and is considered one of the best in the area. We are both the same age (49). He gets calls at 9:00 PM to sub for 10:00 across the city to earn $50 - $100. Driving across Winnipeg when it is -30 and not having a place to plug in your car gets old real fast. He gives lessons to supplement his income, but he relies on his wife's job for benefits and a steady pay cheque.

I will be retired comfortably when I am 55...he doesn't have a pension plan. Although he has loads of talent and has played with some big names, I would never trade places with him. Keep your job and play for fun.

I would really like to know where these guys find women that will support them while they earn 10k a year as a musician.