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Are You Where You Want To Be?

B

bluewine

Inactive
Sep 4, 2008
10,296
27
WI
#1
Where are you at in this business right now. How does it compare with where you want to be.

If you're not where you want to be, what's your plan to get there, what are you going to do about it?

Here are a few examples;

I have been playing for __ years and have this or that type of experience. Currently not active, can't seem to find the right band.

I want to record and do shows.

I made a mistake and joined a band that I thought was a match, now I find that it isn't the opportunity I thought it was.

I'm in an originals band that is really good, but we can't find enough gigs of any kind, paid or unpaid.

I'm in a cover band with a demanding gig schedule and it's conflicting with my family obligations.

I'm 42 I have been in rock bands since I was 15 and just need a break from it all.

I need to make more money.

I'm ina basement non-gigging original project, and I'm fine with it.
It's exactly what I want.

I'm in a money making cover band and it's where I want to be, I'm happy.

I'm new to playing bass guitar and I can't find people to play with.
 
#2
I'm not exactly where I'd hoped to be when I started doing this back in 1981, but I can't complain. I'm also 42.

I'm not in a gigging band at the moment, but I'm working back towards that goal.

I've become very focused on my musical ability and am taking it ALOT more seriously than I used to. I spend more hours studying and learning now than I ever have.

I'm working on developing a clear vision of what I want to do next. No compromises this time. Too many times I've set out with a band only to have a lazy member derail it. Not this time.

It kinda blows to know that I'm gonna have to take the reins and be a frontman, but its what I gotta do if I want to see my vision through. I'm a good enough vocalist to front a band, just never really made the choice to do it.

Sorry to be so long winded.

No, I'm not where I expected to be, but I'm by no means unhappy about it. I'm looking on every day with a bass in my hands as a new adventure.
 
#3
I'm not playing the genre of music I prefer and the band I'm in is not quite at the level musicianship I would like. By the way I'm 59. I started playing bass guitar in 1966.

However, I love the gigging opportunities and the money we generate.

The on stage time this band has given me has allowed me to get a better benchmark on my playing abilities and stage presence.

This band is a stepping stone for me. I want at least a year under my belt before I look for the next step up.
 
#4
I'm not at the level I'd like to be. Been playing in original bands on and off since I was about 16, now 26. A few stints in cover bands, currently in a thrash metal band called Apache Gunship.

Playing the type of music I love with decent musicians but they just don't get it or how hard you need to work to get anywhere in the industry (I'm not even talking big time, just a decent reputation in your own country)

A singer who is talented but thinks that everything should just be handed to him on a plate, complains when other bands get bigger gigs than us even though its clearly because they put the work in. Claims to hate the music scene and everyone in it. Rarely pays his way. Agrees to do things then last minute tells you he has no money to do them.

A guitarist who shares the same enthusiasm and drive as me but is unfortunately unemployed so can't afford to buy any reall top quality gear.

A drummer who is a hell of a great guy and a great drummer but we're his side project band.

We've not even played a gig yet btw! haha
 
#9
Willie Dizon said:
Let's just say I'm 48 and I'm on my way to where I want to be with people I want to write originals with. I don't care if it takes 5 ,10 or more years to achieve our idea of "success."Either way,time will pass and we will all be older.
Click to expand...

Sounds like your where you want to be.
 
#10
I'm exactly where I want to be: 39, playing and recording originals with a great group of people to large, appreciative audiences, balancing career and music (I like to keep my peanut butter separate from my chocolate), happily married. Other than not making quite as much money at work as I think I'm worth life is really good and the music is really working for me these days.

And our new record just arrived.

Link Removed
 
#11
I am 40 years old and I am a percussionist in a gigging 15-piece funk/jazz combo that is recording an album as we speak. It is a very part- time deal that allows us a musical outlet and a good time with friends, rather than a path to financial freedom (i.e., a break even deal). As a bass player of 25 years, this sudden transition to a new position has greatly expanded my musical horizons as well as my bass chops.

I also have a couple of slow-moving projects in the hardcore/metal/post-punk vein that will hopefully sort themselves out soon. That would make me very happy.

My wife and I celebrated our one-year anniversary and I am a stay-at-home dad to a sweet baby boy, so right now I have it good.
 
#12
Marial said:
I'm exactly where I want to be: 39, playing and recording originals with a great group of people to large, appreciative audiences, balancing career and music (I like to keep my peanut butter separate from my chocolate), happily married. Other than not making quite as much money at work as I think I'm worth life is really good and the music is really working for me these days.

And our new record just arrived.
Click to expand...

Nice job! Congrats on the new record.

Blue
 
#14
I'm right where I want to be musically. A couple of gigs a month, a wedding, reunion here or there, playing with guys who can play without tons of rehearsal. I enjoy most of what we play. We make decent money for what we do. I have a church gig as well where I'm the lead singer. It's not perfect but nothing ever is. Our BL is all over the place but he's been doing it for about 30 years, so in the end it works.

I'm at the point where I can begin to coast a bit, which isn't necessarily good. But I don't want any more or less, so I guess that's about as good as it gets.
 
#15
I am just behind where I want to be and way behind where I wanted to be.

I only started playing again this past Christmas and things have gone well. I am taking lessons, practicing as much as I can, taking every opportunity to learn, and have even played onstage with friends at a couple of jam sessions where everyone said I did well, and most importantly I had a great time.

That being said, I am now 45 y/o and I have wanted to play bass since 4th or 5th grade.

I bought a bass when I was in the military at 20 y/o and took lessons and played for less than a year when I put it down and did not touch another bass for 25 years. I did not have the patience, attention span, or drive to do it back then and the lessons just could not hold my attention. Read music, practice scales, read music, practice scales, read music... add nauseum. Beer and girls were way more fun at the time.

So, I am where I can reasonably expect to be and happy with my progress, but I am 25 years behind where I wanted to be and honestly should be.
 
#16
I'm 47 and playing in a power trio rock band with an incredible guitar player and drummer. The guitarist is my brother and the drummer is a longtime friend I consider a brother. We play only covers we like and a few originals. We fight sometimes like any family but we get over it quickly and move on. We all have other jobs and are booked every Fri. and Sat. nite with paying gigs in small clubs.

We have only been back in this city and playing together since last Summer and the money and gigs keep getting bigger but we realize there is a pretty low ceiling on how far we can go at our age, esp. if we refuse to tailor our sets for LCD demand.

You know, I hadn't really thought of it but now that you ask, I guess I am right where I want to be.
 
#17
Where am I at? Gigging part-time around New England and eastern NY state for 30+ years I'm as well established as I can be without quitting my day job.

As it is I turn down gig offers all the time, mainly at the request of my wife who would like me home instead.

My only disappointment is how much impact the down economy has had on wages. The number of venues that "pass the hat" as part or all of the pay is increasing rapidly and my overall earnings from music have been going downhill for a few years now.
 
#18
I can't complain since I have LOTS of music-related work where I live. My only regret is that my town is not exactly the "Land of opportunities" and it's practically impossible here to live an exciting experience as a musician (like touring and recording with a world-class band). For years I've wanted to try something in the U.S. to see if I can "make it" or not, but it's very difficult for a person like me (Colombian, single, no kids and a paid-per-hour job) to get an U.S. visa, at least in my experience (not to mention that such errands imply a big expense that I can't take so often).
 
#19
IMHO very few should be where they want to be as we could all be better and more succesfull. I am not where i wanted to be but i am pretty comfortable where i am. When i started 41 years ago I wanted to be the bass player in the next Led Zeppelin. But I paid for college by playing weddings, clubs etc and my day time career has been very good financially but still allowed me to continue playing all these years. Did some light studio work and played some great venues in the mid 80's such as MSG, Beacon, Nassau Col, and CBGB's and places like that doing originals with other bands. I consider myself a pretty good musician and most guys i play with tell me the same.

I just wish i could find the perfect band for this time in my life so icould play with one and not 3 to fill me personal preference for gigging capacity. thought i had it several times in the past but sh@t happens.
 
#20
I'm 53, gigged in the 80's, retired from music due to mostly 3-11's shift work. MY WIFE and I just recognized our 25th wedding anniversary this week. Unfortunately she's been on a ventilator since last summer. Radiology just showed up to insert a feeding tube through her nose into her stomach. I see my psychologist every other week.

No, I'm not where I want to be.
 

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