How to tell my parents?

[Freez]

"Making a living in music" can encompass A LOT of things. You're young, and you want to follow a dream. Good for you. And shame on anyone trying to talk you out of it. It is a fact that great reward is never obtained without some risk. The beauty of your situation is that you ARE young. If music doesn't work out, you have time to do something else. But if you dedicate yourself to it, and are able to maintain the level of passion you have now, there's no reason you can't make a comfortable living in some aspect of the music business. There are never any guarantees in life, and ANYONE that thinks a degree in anything is a first class ticket to a great career is fooling themselves. I can show you all kinds of people with degrees that are not working in their chosen fields. If you are driven to succeed, if you can keep your focus, and if you can't wait to get out of bed in the morning because you absolutely love what you do, then that my friend is a better indicator of future success than any degree. As for dad, well, you're on your own there!

John Lennon's aunt Mimi once said "a guitars alright John, but you'll never make a living on it". Is that an extreme example? Of course. But I can tell you one thing for certain you do NOT want to be sitting around in your middle age, waiting to retire from some job you find meaningless, wondering how different things might have been if you'd only followed your heart. Better to try and fail than settle for something...less than.

 

[BayStateBass]

Oh boy, this one's a toughie.....so many points of view.

First of all, it's tough to expect to make a living playing music. There are thousands of really good musicians out there who are playing for free, or have the guitar case open for donations. If music is your passion and you don't make it as a performer, there are other options such as teaching, working in the recording industry, equipment sales/factory rep, and others. But, realistically, the music industry is hard, constantly fluctuating, and very unforgiving.

As was previously stated, teaching is a viable option....if you really like to teach. Not a gravy-train. I went to college to be a high school history/social studies teacher but was never able to find a job, so I've made a career as an HVAC technician. When you're a history major, there's not much you can do other than go to law school or teach. In truth, I'm not sure I would have liked it all that much. But I don't like being an HVAC guy either, it just pays the bills. But it's steady, reliable, pays well, and I have a nice lifestyle.

As a responsible parent, I would tell my child to look at the reality of a career, what employment oppportunities are like, and remind them that when you make your favorite activity a job, sometimes it becomes just that........a job, and you lose your love of it over time. It's tough to know what you want to do for the rest of your life when you're 18. Not impossible, but tough. I would encourage my child to be realistic and use common sense.

As a responsible parent.

Then there is the other side. And I can relate to this. I took jobs, learned trades, went to school, and always kept my "eyes on the prize" (i.e. THE MONEY). It's worked out well for me financially and I've been successful with what I do. Yet I get up every day, dread going to work, and wish I'd made different choices. If I could turn back the clock, I'd have done what I really wanted to do....enter the medical field. But now, at 40 (ish), with a wife, two kids, a mortgage, and responsibility, I've played my cards and now I have to live with the choices I made. I envy those who followed their dreams and did what they needed to, because it's likely that they will die with far fewer regrets than I will.

Take it from someone who went the "responsible" route. It ain't all that fun. There can be a lot of regret later on. And then you wind up pushing 40 and wondering where the time went and where your fun was.

My advice to anyone faced with this is remember.....it's your life. Make the choices that are right for you because nobody has to live with them but you. Remember, you will either benefit from them or suffer.....

But it's all part of that thing we call "life".