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Being a musician is a fiscal disaster

#21
If you look at music, and a possible career or even side income in it, as a serious burden of time, money, energy etc - then honestly it is not something to pursue. If it is not an absolute passion for you then find something that is and then you have found your calling. I really really enjoy lots of things, but not enough to put in the energy it requires to follow them. Music, however, consumes me and makes the "expense" much more trivial and acceptable. I also don't think you have to go to all the shows and buy music to start out in the business - spend time on youtube and play play play. Search out others on craigslist nearby and play with others, much better for your musical advancement than just going to a show. Joining the jazz project at your University is an excellent idea, you will meet other musicians and instructors who know others in the industry. And most importantly make sure you learn how to play various types of musical styles to keep your options open as your move forward. Remember, if it ever starts not being fun it is time to find another hobby, life is too short.
 
#22
HeavyJazz77 said:
The days of the original rock/jazz performer making a decent living have all but passed. We're in the Entitlement Days where the public has to have things instantly and for free as some sort of fabricated right. Keep it alive as a passionate hobby and get a day job. ...to eat and by cool gear!

And good for you for buying the recordings in hard copy! Glad I'm not the only one. IPods sounds like crap!!
Click to expand...

I also think times have changed, but not sure I am to the point where it is as bad as many play it out to be. The business of music changed I think the most, but there are still many, many musicians out there making livings. The gigging bar band lifestyle is drying up for sure, but not sure there was ever a great living in that anyway. I always thought a good living in music is more like the lottery, but there are winners out there for sure. Those that will succeed in music from here are the ones that learn the new business of music and work within it. Also, there is a excellent chance I am completely wrong as well :D
 
#25
Life is about establishing priorities. You have limited resources like most everyone else. You are asking strangers to establish your priorities for you. This is silly. Only you can establish your priorities in life.
This is not an either/or situation. It is a spectrum. One end of the spectrum = you stop playing and establish other priorities. The other end of the spectrum = you establish playing music as your number one priority and become willing to "starve" to enable that. Of course, there are many points on the spectrum in between these two extremes.
So, man up and choose your priorities. Assuming you do so, congratulations, you've become a man.
 
#26
Making it as a musician requires you to be much more than just a musician. If you look at those persons who are "making it" they are doing much more than just playing well. They have over time developed a brand. This may require playing, writing, producing, teaching, and yes a lot of travel whether it be local, regional, or national. For me for many years music was just a hobby. Now it has become more than a serious hobby as I am trying to create my own brand. At first, when I started gigging with professional musicians they said I sounded good in terms of my physical execution but I needed to go back and study more. So I started studying to learn more about what it was/is I am playing. Next I was told I needed to learn more about the business, so I'm doing that now as well as studying, and associating myself with successful people in the industry. You have to be 'out there' to establish yourself and yes it does cost. I have no interest in becoming famous or "that well known", just want to be known to a certain degree as a solid cat in the industry. Now having said that I'm taking my time as I still have a day job. Having a day job is a killer for many instances. I have been in situations where guys like the way I play and want to bring me on for a show, or a tour, or go into the studio, but because of my availability I don't get the call. I can't make practice at 1pm on a Monday because I'm working. Still I am trying to move from a local presence into a regional presence. Several months ago I went to a bass clinic where a National Clinician heard me play and subsequently invited me to give a clinic for their local organization. This gives me the opportunity to gain a regional presence and experience as a known clinician and it's being done on a weekend so I can make it. Had I not spent the money for the clinic, travel to the clinic, food after the clinic, I would not have been given the opportunity that I now have. I say it depends on what you want and how much you want it. People are out there who can help you on your way but yes you have to "invest" in your future. See the link below for the info on my clinic. Brittany Frompovich, a National Clinician gave me the opportunity and Adam Nitti and Webb Thomas were nice enough to provide one liners for me to boost my opportunity and help create a draw. I know Adam from meeting him at a clinc, hanging out with him for awhile and keeping lines of communication between us and I also sent him a recorded sample of my playing. Webb Thomas went to Berklee and is a personal friend and well respected Jazz Drummer out of Philly that I have had the pleasure of gigging with. After I improved as a bassist he allowed me to gig with him. My info is at the bottom of the page.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#27
Unprofessional said:
Life is about establishing priorities. You have limited resources like most everyone else. You are asking strangers to establish your priorities for you. This is silly. Only you can establish your priorities in life.
This is not an either/or situation. It is a spectrum. One end of the spectrum = you stop playing and establish other priorities. The other end of the spectrum = you establish playing music as your number one priority and become willing to "starve" to enable that. Of course, there are many points on the spectrum in between these two extremes.
So, man up and choose your priorities. Assuming you do so, congratulations, you've become a man.
Click to expand...

I understand your point, no one else can decide how I should live my life. I'm not really asking strangers to decide my priorities for me, I'm asking strangers how they've established their priorities and how that affects them as a person and musician.
 
#28
I just payed off my last purchase of music equipment a new amp. I'm done!
Unless it is a cheap 100 buck fixer up no more guitars ,basses for me...no sir! I feel great when I get gig pay now knowing its not going to anywhere else like a equipment payment.
I take my gas out of what I made that night and the rest is profit. As for my time? who cares I would do it for free to tell the truth, its my social outlet and keep me out of a shrinks chair ;)
 
#30
I play music because I have to. The most important thing you can do (besides play your butt off) is network with other musicians and raise your value to them.

This means, what can you bring to the table that typical bass players can't? Can you sing? Run a PA? Book gigs? Play keys bass? Play multiple genres? Play the snot out of one genre? Do you dress well? Do you have graphic design experience?

Chances are you have strengths in some areas that help bands. Play off your strengths and work on your weaknesses.
 
#32
I believe you should find your calling in the real world and start a career/profession of some sort, i.e..... a real job. Do not play music with goals of becoming a millionaire. I play as an escape from the real world, for my soul, it is a high like no other, another language. I could play/practice for days, weeks at a time and love every minute. Point is, for myself, I have a regular career path/job where I bring in income. When I retire, or have more time to play, then I will probably play around with some bands locally. But, I do it for enjoyment mostly, I honestly am not looking to make money with music. Heck, I would probably pay to play with quality musicians, for the sheer excitement.
 
#36
I've made a living playing music for nearly 30 years. I'm not rich and I never will be, and I couldn't care less. If you can make a living doing something you really love, you're doing better than 99% of the population. I've been very lucky, but persistence pays off more than anything (even talent to some extent).

I agree with Jazz Ad - musical equipment these days is extremely cheap compared to when I started out. My first decent amp (a Fender Twin) cost nearly $2000 (in the mid-80s), and I think I paid about $900 for a standard Telecaster - a hell of a lot of money in those days. Decent gear costs a fraction in comparison if you consider inflation, and Mexican Fenders and the like make it easy for anyone to own a quality instrument. Recording music is also very cheap with today's technology, and with the Internet, getting it heard is much easier as well. So it's not all bad news - the "good old days" had their fair share of problems.

The one thing I would say is that you should always try and see great musicians live whenever possible. You can build a CD collection slowly (buying stuff second hand), you can build up gear slowly, but those memories of people I saw live are irreplaceable to me. Most of the great bands I saw have long broken up, and many of the great musicians I've seen are dead. I don't regret a cent spent seeing great musicians - I'll remember those shows until the day I die. Sorry, I don't mean to get too deep, but that was always a big priority when I was young (and still is).

It's never been easy to be a professional musician in any era, but it sure as hell beats working in some damn office doing something you despise. I wish you all the best.

Regards,
MarkM
 
#37
Dogbertday said:
The most important thing you can do (besides play your butt off) is network with other musicians and raise your value to them.
Click to expand...
Bingo! Networking is maybe the most important aspect of being a musician. As a singing bass player I am in demand. I sing lead in a bar band and back-up in 2 original bands. I'm mediocre at both things but, all the local bands know I have the ability and since I am friendly and supportive of them I am gigged up at all times.
I know insanely talented guys who don't network and if they have to they are condescending jerks who go through bands like socks. ******** don't get offers. They get bad reps and they get shunned.
 
#38
You work, you go to school, and play music as you are able to survive unless Mommy and Daddy are footing the bills.

There is no musical free ride, it's work like any other job, and the better you are at the work, the better the money you make and the less you have to rely on a day job.
 
#39
MarkMgibson said:
I've made a living playing music for nearly 30 years. I'm not rich and I never will be, and I couldn't care less. If you can make a living doing something you really love, you're doing better than 99% of the population. I've been very lucky, but persistence pays off more than anything (even talent to some extent).

I agree with Jazz Ad - musical equipment these days is extremely cheap compared to when I started out. My first decent amp (a Fender Twin) cost nearly $2000 (in the mid-80s), and I think I paid about $900 for a standard Telecaster - a hell of a lot of money in those days. Decent gear costs a fraction in comparison if you consider inflation, and Mexican Fenders and the like make it easy for anyone to own a quality instrument. Recording music is also very cheap with today's technology, and with the Internet, getting it heard is much easier as well. So it's not all bad news - the "good old days" had their fair share of problems.

The one thing I would say is that you should always try and see great musicians live whenever possible. You can build a CD collection slowly (buying stuff second hand), you can build up gear slowly, but those memories of people I saw live are irreplaceable to me. Most of the great bands I saw have long broken up, and many of the great musicians I've seen are dead. I don't regret a cent spent seeing great musicians - I'll remember those shows until the day I die. Sorry, I don't mean to get too deep, but that was always a big priority when I was young (and still is).

It's never been easy to be a professional musician in any era, but it sure as hell beats working in some damn office doing something you despise. I wish you all the best.

Regards,
MarkM
Click to expand...

Thanks! Your point about seeing live music makes a lot of sense to me. It kills three birds with one stone, that is improving skill, networking and it's fun. That seems to be the best way to spend my time and money when I can.
 

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