They grow up fast..you'll do fine.Here's my oldest.
Dont mind the shorts in the first pic..that was back in the day.
Dont mind the shorts in the first pic..that was back in the day.
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Bass Players with Kids
- Thread starter D Bopp
- Start date
RaginRog
Last guy you want to see is Employee Relations guy
Zombie thread....just had twin girls a couple of weeks ago...I think my days of playing in cover bands is numbered. I anticipate weekday practices before 7:30-8 will be a pain. I've been to one so far because my wife urged me to go, but having 2 will likely be an incredible challenge. I repaid the favor by watching the kids while she went for her first pedicure in many weeks. The girlies are adorable.
We have a 15 year old daughter. I understand she will be back to being friendly after her teen years. She's ok. The teen years are a bit challenging though.
I have a 3yo son, and currently expecting my 2nd child in late February.
I can tell circumstances regarding this birth are going to be completely different. With the first, I only belonged to my church band. Although I took about 3.5 weeks off to convalesce, I was able to stay somewhat caught up thru updates from our Minister of Music, so church, family, and job was doable.
Now, some 3 years later, a few bandmates and I as well as several singers from our church have formed a splinter group consisting of original songs. We'll play-for-pay, perform at church/community functions and do weddings/special occasions... so we rehearse together a LOT more frequently than our church band.
We (the splinter group) are gearing up to start working on more originals as well as perfecting our current tracks for a CD. This is going to take some creative juggling on my and hubby's part.
I'm hoping to have a good solid plan in place when baby comes.
I can tell circumstances regarding this birth are going to be completely different. With the first, I only belonged to my church band. Although I took about 3.5 weeks off to convalesce, I was able to stay somewhat caught up thru updates from our Minister of Music, so church, family, and job was doable.
Now, some 3 years later, a few bandmates and I as well as several singers from our church have formed a splinter group consisting of original songs. We'll play-for-pay, perform at church/community functions and do weddings/special occasions... so we rehearse together a LOT more frequently than our church band.
We (the splinter group) are gearing up to start working on more originals as well as perfecting our current tracks for a CD. This is going to take some creative juggling on my and hubby's part.
I'm hoping to have a good solid plan in place when baby comes.
RaginRog
Last guy you want to see is Employee Relations guy
I'm 99% certain I will quit one of the two bands I'm in, unless they are willing to work with me on practice days and times.
It was nice to read a female perspective...
- Oct 18, 2012
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I have one son who is now grown (24 years old). He doesn't play any instruments but likes the same music that I do, mostly classic rock. His first concert was KISS, Aerosmith and Ted Nugent.
As far as balancing you music and family is concerned, it really comes down to personal choice. My parents divorced when I was 8 and my father was almost never around. I made a vow when I was very young that I would always be there for my children. When my son was very young, I took time off from bands so I could spend more time with him. I don't regret it all.
The time will go by very quickly. Your child will be frown before you know it. Remember that your first obligation is always to your family first. If that means that you can't play in a band for a while then that is what you must do. You owe it to your children to be there as much as possible but balance in your personal life, career life and hobbies are also important.
As far as balancing you music and family is concerned, it really comes down to personal choice. My parents divorced when I was 8 and my father was almost never around. I made a vow when I was very young that I would always be there for my children. When my son was very young, I took time off from bands so I could spend more time with him. I don't regret it all.
The time will go by very quickly. Your child will be frown before you know it. Remember that your first obligation is always to your family first. If that means that you can't play in a band for a while then that is what you must do. You owe it to your children to be there as much as possible but balance in your personal life, career life and hobbies are also important.
Congratulations. man! Fatherhood is the most beautiful insanity ever! Don't force music on them, just let it be a part of their world. My kids think its strange when they got to their friends' homes and look around and don't see instruments. Not being a musician is a foreign concept to them. My sons are 10 and 7 and my daughter just turned 2. They love it and its part of their life. They go with me when possible to set up sound gigs and if I do a family friendly activity like a festival or something, they are there for sure. They love helping me set up and work the show. It's a beautiful thing. If they stay with it (and it really looks like they will) They will be the 5th generation of musicians in our family.
Just curious... How will you wear your bass when you're in the third trimester and all sorts of big bellied?
And congrats!
Just curious... How will you wear your bass when you're in the third trimester and all sorts of big bellied?
And congrats!
Thanks!
Last time I simply adjusted my strap as I got bigger, and I would adjust where my guitar rested on me (more to the right side), depending on how I felt and how active the baby was. I was able to play up until the very evening I went to the hospital to deliver.
Hopefully I'll be able to do the same this time around.
We've got five kids. Ages range from 5 to 21. Boys are oldest and youngest. I have three extremely attractive daughters in between, an 18 year old and a set of 14 year old twins. 
Here's my oldest...several years ago when he was still little. He's active duty in the Air Force
Here's my little guy jamming out in his P bass.
They will shift your paradigm concerning focus and love!!
Here's my oldest...several years ago when he was still little. He's active duty in the Air Force
Here's my little guy jamming out in his P bass.
They will shift your paradigm concerning focus and love!!
Congratulations!
This will be the best thing that ever happened to you but you won't be picking up the bass so much. I've now got two boys: (3 year old and 10 week old) so know what I'm talking about.
Although I still get to rehearse once a week and gig twice a month I am completely hands on when at home so simply don't get a chance to practice like before.
Friends tell me that once you get a good bedtime routine established with the kids then you get some of your evening back so can at least have some practice time again.
PS: Hold on tight, it's a hell of a ride!
This will be the best thing that ever happened to you but you won't be picking up the bass so much. I've now got two boys: (3 year old and 10 week old) so know what I'm talking about.
Although I still get to rehearse once a week and gig twice a month I am completely hands on when at home so simply don't get a chance to practice like before.
Friends tell me that once you get a good bedtime routine established with the kids then you get some of your evening back so can at least have some practice time again.
PS: Hold on tight, it's a hell of a ride!
Bass'd In Colorado
Supporting Member
Oops, I must have done it backwards. Had twin girls seven years ago. Just picked up Bass Guitar I will be 50 this year. I have been playing for six months they think I'm a bass guitar god now that is funny stuff.. They have no idea.. I have one playing drums already and I have one playing guitar it's a great ensemble kids are awesome.. I will show pictures soon
Congrats dad to be. When you got married your life had to make adjustments. However, when junior flip hits the scene, your life will radically change and no longer be your own. Everything will revolve around your child.
I am the proud father of my nine year old daughter. Life is never dull nor boring. It's something new every day.
I am the proud father of my nine year old daughter. Life is never dull nor boring. It's something new every day.
said many times before kids can be both rewarding and challenging. We had one son, born 1991, I gave up playing on the road, sold most of my gear to raise a family. Only couple years ago did I throw myself back into. Am blessed to have a musical family, (wife plays guitar, sings, plays Scottish tenor-we did Grade 4 competitions for 2 years- plays a little mandolin, bohran). Our son (22 now) is a just a beast on drums, gifted early and in need of a gig now (last project didn't pan out) if anyone needs a full tilt metal drummer but he can play just about anything you throw at him (love's big band stuff too).
here's a sample.....
here's a sample.....
Congrats on the twin girls! I know all about this as mine are now 8 1/2 years old and heading into third grade this fall. My late wife and I had our girls after many years of trying and they are my greatest blessing. I am now alone with them and I have to say I wouldn't have been able to survive the loss of my wife without them. Cherish them always!
My kids actually got me back into playing. I gave it up many years ago due to work, family, etc. My girls are now learning piano and guitar. Them starting to learn is what got me interested again.
I think part of the key as a new parent/musician is to use your "restriction" as motivation. I had my first son while I was studying music in college, I had a rough couple weeks of adjustment when he first came home, but got back on the practice train pretty hard once the little fellow had his schedule established. Being a true dude/musician before becoming a parent/dude/musician, I used my new responsibility to hone in my practice skills and time management. Seems like those things have come up in this thread a lot.
Things got SUPER crazy though when my son turned 1.5 and my wife discovered she was pregnant again (surprise!). Then, we found out there were twins in there! They are a little over one now and somehow I've managed to have one of the most productive musical years in recent memory.
Granted, I had a near decade long career from my mid-teens to mid-twenties where I was playing 100-175 gigs a year as well as lots of studio experience before I had kids. I think if I was trying to do all of that now, with three kids three and under, I'd have a heart attack, be really disappointed or just quit.
With a supportive partner/spouse and a relatively tameable kid load, I think gigging is definitely possible. Every aspect of one's life changes when kids come into the picture, but it doesn't mean that life is over...different, yes, but I think what one does with it is completely in their own hands.
Watching my kids take notice of music and really dig it in those early, early stages is probably one of the greatest gifts I've been given in this life!!
Good luck to all the groovy musical moms and dads out there!!
Things got SUPER crazy though when my son turned 1.5 and my wife discovered she was pregnant again (surprise!). Then, we found out there were twins in there! They are a little over one now and somehow I've managed to have one of the most productive musical years in recent memory.
Granted, I had a near decade long career from my mid-teens to mid-twenties where I was playing 100-175 gigs a year as well as lots of studio experience before I had kids. I think if I was trying to do all of that now, with three kids three and under, I'd have a heart attack, be really disappointed or just quit.
With a supportive partner/spouse and a relatively tameable kid load, I think gigging is definitely possible. Every aspect of one's life changes when kids come into the picture, but it doesn't mean that life is over...different, yes, but I think what one does with it is completely in their own hands.
Watching my kids take notice of music and really dig it in those early, early stages is probably one of the greatest gifts I've been given in this life!!
Good luck to all the groovy musical moms and dads out there!!
RaginRog
Last guy you want to see is Employee Relations guy
Thank you for the advice...and very sorry your wife is no longer with you to enjoy seeing your little ladies grow up.
My twin girls just turned 3 a month ago, and they are the cutest little mixed chicks you'll ever see. They were born while I was going through an Arabic course at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, which is tough enough without kids. Thank God I was able to juggle marriage, fatherhood, school, and part time bass duties at the local church. AND I graduated near the top of my class. 
Since they were born I haven't been able to find the time necessary to put toward a serious gig. Only recently have I started getting involved in my church's music ministry.
Since they were born I haven't been able to find the time necessary to put toward a serious gig. Only recently have I started getting involved in my church's music ministry.
