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Did I ruin my life?
- Thread starter azfryguy
- Start date
go back to high school, then go to college, then get a job, in the meantime continue to playing bass and pursuing for your rock star dream, if happens that you become to be the next rock idol great for you , if not, then you will have a good paid day job so you can buy all those boutique basses and be the envy of many in talkbass.com 
"now 5 years down the road music is my life I dont care if I suck or if I will never make a carrier out of it, I will always play and enjoy music."
I copied that from your myspace. honestly if this is your attitude towards music, it was probably a mistake to drop out of high school to try to make it big. I view it as this: if you are making enough money and can support yourself with music before you drop out of school, then go for it. this was my case, i dropped out of college, but after a few months i decided i wanted to get better and here i am back in school, but for music this time.
long story short, go back to school and keep it up until you have a career path planned out!
I copied that from your myspace. honestly if this is your attitude towards music, it was probably a mistake to drop out of high school to try to make it big. I view it as this: if you are making enough money and can support yourself with music before you drop out of school, then go for it. this was my case, i dropped out of college, but after a few months i decided i wanted to get better and here i am back in school, but for music this time.
long story short, go back to school and keep it up until you have a career path planned out!
Yeah, having an education can be a good thing.
Get the college thing going once you get your GED, be sure to major in music, then go for your masters in music. If you seriously want to get into music, be serious.
Also, you might want to think about a location that has more opportunities as far as gigging/playing/studio/etc... if your current city cannot support your music.
Get the college thing going once you get your GED, be sure to major in music, then go for your masters in music. If you seriously want to get into music, be serious.
Also, you might want to think about a location that has more opportunities as far as gigging/playing/studio/etc... if your current city cannot support your music.
get your ged and go to community college in this economy you'll need to have some sort of edge music may seem like your whole life right now but it can always be apart of your life even if you have a different day job it's never too late
You're too young to have ruined your life. Don't do another damn thing until you go back and got your HS diploma, or else you'll really know what a ruined life is.
And stop being so whiny and hard on yourself. Work hard. Apply yourself to your studies. Ask for help. You're smarter than you think, if you let yourself be. With education, you'll have more choices than you can imagine.
Good luck, youth.
And stop being so whiny and hard on yourself. Work hard. Apply yourself to your studies. Ask for help. You're smarter than you think, if you let yourself be. With education, you'll have more choices than you can imagine.
Good luck, youth.
1- an education to better yourself, hone your talent, and surround yourself with good musicians. They will inspire you and expose you to ides you never thought of before.
2- to meet people who will network with you. As I tell anybody who wants to go to music school - half of what you go to school for is to impress your teachers, so get your act together before you go to school - don't expect to go to school and to be magically made into a genius.
I moved out to Los Angeles, thinking I was pretty hot, and got a cold bucket of water in the face the first week I was there- there are hundreds just like you in LA, and most of them are better than you are. Get used to it, but don't let it get you down. The breakthrough for me was the realization that there were only four things needed for success: 1- Be there on time and be focused. 2- Play the part beyond their expectations. 3- Be happy and friendly, and drama free. 4 - have ideas ready to go - lyrics, riffs, arranging, if asked.
You can luck out at your age and get in with some great musicians and form a band that goes to the top. But, at 17, you need to be showing your ideas and skills- recording, writing, etc., so, if you meet some other creative, you will have something to show him or her. You could be two days away from meeting the next John Lennon, but, if you don't have something to show him, then you'll miss out.
I will add one more piece of advice: View what you do as if it were a day job: spend 7 hours a day at it, divvied up into practice, writing, performance, and business, and fergawd'sake, do NOT ignore the business end of it. Getting buzzed & chillin' is all cool until it interferes with your progress and your music. The music scene may look like one big party to some, but it's not. Whatever you do, set musical goals and achieve them. Focus on those goals, and have faith in yourself, no matter if you decided to go back to school or not. find them and make them happen.
Tip: you are already ahead of the game - by understanding the position you are in, and being willing to ask more experienced musicians and take action, you are way down the road. You're doing good. Keep at it.
2- to meet people who will network with you. As I tell anybody who wants to go to music school - half of what you go to school for is to impress your teachers, so get your act together before you go to school - don't expect to go to school and to be magically made into a genius.
I moved out to Los Angeles, thinking I was pretty hot, and got a cold bucket of water in the face the first week I was there- there are hundreds just like you in LA, and most of them are better than you are. Get used to it, but don't let it get you down. The breakthrough for me was the realization that there were only four things needed for success: 1- Be there on time and be focused. 2- Play the part beyond their expectations. 3- Be happy and friendly, and drama free. 4 - have ideas ready to go - lyrics, riffs, arranging, if asked.
You can luck out at your age and get in with some great musicians and form a band that goes to the top. But, at 17, you need to be showing your ideas and skills- recording, writing, etc., so, if you meet some other creative, you will have something to show him or her. You could be two days away from meeting the next John Lennon, but, if you don't have something to show him, then you'll miss out.
I will add one more piece of advice: View what you do as if it were a day job: spend 7 hours a day at it, divvied up into practice, writing, performance, and business, and fergawd'sake, do NOT ignore the business end of it. Getting buzzed & chillin' is all cool until it interferes with your progress and your music. The music scene may look like one big party to some, but it's not. Whatever you do, set musical goals and achieve them. Focus on those goals, and have faith in yourself, no matter if you decided to go back to school or not. find them and make them happen.
Tip: you are already ahead of the game - by understanding the position you are in, and being willing to ask more experienced musicians and take action, you are way down the road. You're doing good. Keep at it.
I watched your youtube vids. You definitely have some talent. That said, there are a lot of guys out there with talent who never get anywhere. So you need to have a backup plan.
I can't reiterate enough the points about getting your education. At least get your GED. Then, look into college, or technical school or a trade. You like playing bass, what about studying music? Or, maybe studying electronics, and get into pedal design. Bass can always be your passion, and you will only get better and learn more. But you can pay the bills doing a lot of things, and you might just learn something along the way.
Life is never over until they put you in the box and the worms nibble on your bum. Until then, don't let life get you down. Own your life. Realize that every day is a new opportunity to get closer to every goal you set for yourself.
I can't reiterate enough the points about getting your education. At least get your GED. Then, look into college, or technical school or a trade. You like playing bass, what about studying music? Or, maybe studying electronics, and get into pedal design. Bass can always be your passion, and you will only get better and learn more. But you can pay the bills doing a lot of things, and you might just learn something along the way.
Life is never over until they put you in the box and the worms nibble on your bum. Until then, don't let life get you down. Own your life. Realize that every day is a new opportunity to get closer to every goal you set for yourself.
Only shot to have made it big by age 17 is to have been in a boy band. Your chances of making it big as a studio musician at any age are very, very slim regardless of how good you are. And you darn well aren't going to do that by dropping out of school. I disagree with your statement that it's not what you know, but who you know. It's definitely both. Being a successful studio musician requires a lot of knowledge and skill which I'm certain you don't have at age 17, regardless of how naturally gifted or talented you might be. You need years of study, lots of experience, a good musical education, and a bunch of big breaks. If you really want to make a run at it, get busy with the things you can control, and put yourself in the best possible position to take advantage of any big breaks that come your way.
The only thing I have to add is to try to get in the habit of having a positive attitude and thinking positive thoughts. Negative thoughts can actually breed negative results. A positive attitute can make the difference between getting where you want vs. wallowing where you are.
Get your HS diploma or GED equivalent. That should be the bare minimum for your general education.
And try to look at all your assumptions (for example, that you'd be a a hot shot music star by now) and ask yourself "why do/did I assume that?" And try and think carefully, logically, and honestly about those things (that is, when you think of an answer, ask yourself "why?" Keep doing this until you can't ask any more questions and you distill the final truths. Even then, if you ponder on what you think are final answers, you will often discover more examination is needed.)
And try to look at all your assumptions (for example, that you'd be a a hot shot music star by now) and ask yourself "why do/did I assume that?" And try and think carefully, logically, and honestly about those things (that is, when you think of an answer, ask yourself "why?" Keep doing this until you can't ask any more questions and you distill the final truths. Even then, if you ponder on what you think are final answers, you will often discover more examination is needed.)
Sorry to hear your story man. Having had quite a few depressions, some severe, some mild, here are some things I've come to believe in my (short) life that have helped my outlook on life and may help you. Or if not, you can of course disregard them:
- There's no such thing as "ruining your life". You can ruin the plans you had for life. But hey, life will often do that for you anyway, as no one's life has ever or will ever unfold one hundred percent as planned or wished.
That is not to say that you shouldn't care whether you're going to be a succesful member of society or a destitute heroin-junkie. Of course you should aim high, for the goals you find most desirable.
But **** happens. And whatever happens, there you are. Enjoy where you are or take steps to change your position. It's never never too late. Just remember that you are never worthless, whatever happens.
- Every single second you are alive and awake (barring stuff like diseases and accidents) you make decisions. Which means, if you're stuck in a rut, every single second you can decide to do things differently. I personally find it kind of depressing when people don't realise this and just decide to hang in front of the TV all the time. Go. Do. Make. Look around you. Do something you've never done before once in a while. Experience life. Don't get caught in reading, dreaming and talking about life. That's not living.
- When you do feel alive, remember: There is more to life than living.
- If your options to escape a bad place are limited, start working on expanding them in whichever way you can. This will, in the vast majority of cases, entail an education of some sorts.
- There is no honor in hurting. It does not make you noble in some way to undergo a depression, it just makes you be depressed. Being unhappy does not build character, doing something about it does.
- Don't panic, but: You are responsible for your own happiness. You and you alone. Sure, your family, friends, loved ones and sometimes strangers will probably want you to be happy too, but you are the only one responsible for it. This can be a liberating and invigorating thought, but can also be scary and daunting. Just do what you have to do. And: Don't Hurt Others.
Of course: all IMHO.
Good luck man. You'll be fine.
- There's no such thing as "ruining your life". You can ruin the plans you had for life. But hey, life will often do that for you anyway, as no one's life has ever or will ever unfold one hundred percent as planned or wished.
That is not to say that you shouldn't care whether you're going to be a succesful member of society or a destitute heroin-junkie. Of course you should aim high, for the goals you find most desirable.
But **** happens. And whatever happens, there you are. Enjoy where you are or take steps to change your position. It's never never too late. Just remember that you are never worthless, whatever happens.
- Every single second you are alive and awake (barring stuff like diseases and accidents) you make decisions. Which means, if you're stuck in a rut, every single second you can decide to do things differently. I personally find it kind of depressing when people don't realise this and just decide to hang in front of the TV all the time. Go. Do. Make. Look around you. Do something you've never done before once in a while. Experience life. Don't get caught in reading, dreaming and talking about life. That's not living.
- When you do feel alive, remember: There is more to life than living.
- If your options to escape a bad place are limited, start working on expanding them in whichever way you can. This will, in the vast majority of cases, entail an education of some sorts.
- There is no honor in hurting. It does not make you noble in some way to undergo a depression, it just makes you be depressed. Being unhappy does not build character, doing something about it does.
- Don't panic, but: You are responsible for your own happiness. You and you alone. Sure, your family, friends, loved ones and sometimes strangers will probably want you to be happy too, but you are the only one responsible for it. This can be a liberating and invigorating thought, but can also be scary and daunting. Just do what you have to do. And: Don't Hurt Others.
Of course: all IMHO.
Good luck man. You'll be fine.
I've been trying to go back to school since I was 27.
I turned 50 last month.
I should go back to school.
I turned 50 last month.
I should go back to school.
Dude - I don't care who you think you're going to be. Chances are you won't be anyone without a HS diploma. GED is really just as good, so thank God you're doing that.
At least you came to the realization that you were ruining your life at the tender age of 17. A decade later the situation would be truly pathetic. As it is now, no fault, no loss.
True story: A good friend's dad was/is a great guitarist, grew up during the classic rock era and all that. Got involved in bands/trying to make it for many years. Didn't bother finishing high school. Later in life, he had never made it in the music scene, he was working for a machinist topped out at 15 bucks an hour at the age of 45. Thankfully he FINALLY got his GED and went to Coke where he makes a bit more.
My point is, don't do that.
At least you came to the realization that you were ruining your life at the tender age of 17. A decade later the situation would be truly pathetic. As it is now, no fault, no loss.
True story: A good friend's dad was/is a great guitarist, grew up during the classic rock era and all that. Got involved in bands/trying to make it for many years. Didn't bother finishing high school. Later in life, he had never made it in the music scene, he was working for a machinist topped out at 15 bucks an hour at the age of 45. Thankfully he FINALLY got his GED and went to Coke where he makes a bit more.
My point is, don't do that.
Get the GED and go to community college if that community college has a jazz program or a program you can get gigs in and scholarships thats the way to go. The more people you know and the better you get at playing more styles of bass the more opportunities will come.
Actually the more I think about it the more I'm shocked that your parents/mentors allowed you to drop out of school. My parents aren't tyrants by a long stretch, but I'd have been shipped off to boarding school if I told them I was dropping out.
Get your GED, do as well as you can on it. Intelligence doesn't always manifest itself in ordinary ways. If you can, head to ASU or UofA, both good schools and you'll get in state tuition, and you can be a music major if you like. If you can't, community college is perfectly fine for your first two years, and you'll save money as well. Either way higher education affords you an opportunity to become an infinitely better musician and can give you some connections. My younger brother is wrapping up his BA in music, and in the last 4 years he's matured into an extremely well rounded pianist who is very competent with jazz, classical and other styles of music. You can only benefit from what college has to offer. Hell even Kanye makes all his money by bitching about what a waste of money college was.
Get your GED, do as well as you can on it. Intelligence doesn't always manifest itself in ordinary ways. If you can, head to ASU or UofA, both good schools and you'll get in state tuition, and you can be a music major if you like. If you can't, community college is perfectly fine for your first two years, and you'll save money as well. Either way higher education affords you an opportunity to become an infinitely better musician and can give you some connections. My younger brother is wrapping up his BA in music, and in the last 4 years he's matured into an extremely well rounded pianist who is very competent with jazz, classical and other styles of music. You can only benefit from what college has to offer. Hell even Kanye makes all his money by bitching about what a waste of money college was.
All good advice given already.
I just wanted to add, I listened to the myspace link. Holy crap dude! You have some killer chops!
I just wanted to add, I listened to the myspace link. Holy crap dude! You have some killer chops!
- Jun 3, 2006
- 780
- 9
- Disclosures
- Endorse:Artus-Basshanger-Dava-EC-Hartke-Orange-InEarz-SHS-Tigi
It sounds as if you don't have a band or any shows.
If this is the case, why would Ibanez sponsor/endorse you? Companies sponsor/endorse players that are up on stage in front of people on a regular basis so the Ibanez/whatever company name is being promoted.
Not trying to be a downer - just pointing out that fact.
Of course, educate yourself. It will be much harder to do any of the things I mention otherwise.
I know a lot of people that make their living in the music business some of them with MFA's, and the overwhelming majority do not support themselves through performance. They all have ways to supplement their incomes:
1) teach
2) work in a music store
3) sound engineer (live or recording)
3) build/repair instruments, amps, pedals, etc
You can make a living in the music business, but chances are slim that you'll support yourself 100% by performing or as a session player.
You need to get out there and play with people, meet people, and get known. That's where the work comes from. Very few people just "get discovered" and suddenly have a career. It takes many years to develop one.
I know a lot of people that make their living in the music business some of them with MFA's, and the overwhelming majority do not support themselves through performance. They all have ways to supplement their incomes:
1) teach
2) work in a music store
3) sound engineer (live or recording)
3) build/repair instruments, amps, pedals, etc
You can make a living in the music business, but chances are slim that you'll support yourself 100% by performing or as a session player.
You need to get out there and play with people, meet people, and get known. That's where the work comes from. Very few people just "get discovered" and suddenly have a career. It takes many years to develop one.
Some of the best people to know are the ones you meet in school. Get that education AND play at every opportunity. A lot of bands that made it began as high school or college bands. My oldest grandson is your age with a brother one year younger, I'll tell you the same thing I'm telling them -- education is the key to making dreams happen. Go back to school, get that diploma, keep playing your bass and make things happen.
