It's tough being a musician. What's new? We all knew that. I wanted to start this thread because I was just beginning to realize what "being part of the scene" actually requires.
Expense 1: The instrument. Let's be honest, getting a rig that's band worthy is probably going to set you back at least 1500. I am including a small amp in there for practice, let's just assume you can run direct and don't need real wattage. That's just for one good quality bass. But who can have just 1?
Expense 2: The running around. If you live in a city, that's pretty cool. But running around kills me. If I want to see a show, I'm draining some gas to do so. I have to travel an hour just to go see MGMT later this month. Speaking of that...
Expense 3: Music. Funny, right? Music is expensive? Yes, it is very much so. Especially if we're talking about live shows. Being a responsible musician requires regular attendance of live music. This is a good thing because live music is fantastic.
But I'm just a college kid. Most of my money is going to gas and school. So as much as I want to attend shows, I really have to decide if it's worth it to do so.
On top of that, if you're a real musician, chances are that you support the art. That means buying records. Let's say you're expanding your collection 2 times a month. Well, that's gonna set you back most likely about 30 dollars including tax. (I live in New York, the taxes here absolutely vampiric)
Expense 4: Time. Time is a killer factor. When your friends want to kick some brews back instead of going to shows, it kind of sucks. Definitely new friends time, but what the heck for? Who says they're wrong? How many hours are you going to throw down this absolutely endless journey? All there is, is a journey. This makes music exciting. This also makes music a time slaying ogre. Opportunity cost here runs high.
It would be cool to hear what other people are doing to minimize their opportunity cost in this economic time bomb
Don't over think it. Take things as they come, and follow your passions. There will always be people to swill beers with, the real question is do you want to be one of those guys talking about what you "could have been", should have done, etc. Listen to Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days", then do your best to not be that guy telling "boring stories of Glory Days".
Time will soldier on regardless of what you plan or do. Try to make everyday worth getting up for. If playing is what you're passionate about, do it. People of similar interests will gravitate towards you, and those who don't share them will move away.
You can't do it all, so you have to decide what's important to you and go after it. Things will never be easier than they are right now. You're young, in college, likely have few obligations on your time or money (other than the necessities). If you truly want something, you'll find ways to make it happen. If you don't, you'll find excuses why you can't.
The pursuit of music is expensive, that's true. But so is anything else that you may be passionate about. Cars, skiing, skirt chasing.... nothing worth having in life is cheap. Basically, you have to decide what you're willing to trade a significant portion of your life for, then go after it.
Maybe that's music, maybe it isn't. If you spend your life looking at the obstacles, you'll never see (or attain) your goals in life. People will let you put your passions on a back burner, especially if it will benefit them somehow.
Envision what you want, and where you want to be. Then set your sites on what you have to do to get there. If that's a trade off you're willing to make, have at it. If not.... move on, and find what keeps you up at night thinking about it, and what occupies your thoughts.
In my opinion, obstacles exist to separate the people who really want something from those who only think they do.
