• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Becoming a fulltime musician

I find this video fairly insightful. There are others like it. If you are willing to accept the possibility of this kind of stress connected to your livelihood then you might be able to survive as a musician, assuming you can get to this level of success.

This is simply one artists story and their specific situation. Keep in mind some of the issues discussed here are Covid issues because of when this was recorded.


 
  • Like
Reactions: Cormoran315
One word: don't.

In my experience - and I've been in this game for 45+ years - one knows that they are going to be a professional musician by the time they're 18 - often way sooner than that - about 90% of the time.

I knew that I was NOT going to be a professional musician by my 17th birthday. Did that stop me from practising, gigging, recording etc. ? Absolutely not. Have I earned money in the process ? I most certainly have BUT I never had to rely on that money for any daily/monthly expenses. This approach allowed me freedom to do what I wanted with whom I wanted when it came to music. I did NOT have that luxury in my daily job, trust me...:D...which made me appreciate my freedom as an artist even more.

My $0.02 only...

Wishing you the best of luck.
 
Quincy Jones has a fantastic audio book called 12 Notes On Life and Creativity.
This is an excellent read about the ups and downs in the music business and life lessons that anyone can use.
I would recommend this to any musician.

The successful succeed because they are willing to do what others are not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cormoran315