A well employed, well paid, uninteresting college grad. Who dreams of being a ditch-digger with a few good stories????
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Leaving school for a national tour
- Thread starter jarrhead
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A well employed, well paid, uninteresting college grad. Who dreams of being a ditch-digger with a few good stories????
That's true, and yes you do learn something, but there are just some things, such as touring, that you just can't learn in school. Yes, school can teach you to be responsible and organized, but you don't know how to apply it until you go out there and prove yourself.
I'm not saying drop out. That would be dumb, but if it's really a good band and you think you can do something with it, give it a shot, but be prepared for the consequences if it doesn't work out like you hoped.
The band is called Oakcrest. They're centered in hope mills. I just talked to their manager.
Remember, this is IF and ONLY IF I can play with them. There are NO Guarantees as of now. I just want to have as much time to prepare as possible if I happen to be able to take this chance.
I started crying I was laughing so hard when I read this.
I don't really know you or your life station enough to really say one way or the other. If you have enough personal motivation... or if you have an external source of motivation that is strict enough... that will keep you up on your school while all the exciting tour stuff is going on then I'd say probably. If not I wouldn't consider it. Yeah the tour will be awesome and once in a lifetime experience, but what if once it's over you don't end up going on with other tours and whatnot and your school fell by the way side and you have to start it up again behind the curve? I'm experiencing that now (should have gone to college right after high school, now I have a family and job I have to juggle in once/if I get the opportunity to start) and I can tell you it is not fun at ALL.
This is wjhat every one dream's of, i say go for it, and if it blows up in your face, thats what summer school is for
But then again im only 12.
But then again im only 12.
I agree with Guy N. Cognito. A national touring band that's looking for a local 14 year-old bassist? Seems like they could a better job then that. I mean really, even if they can only afford a local person, you'd think that they'd at least want an accomplished professional, right? BTW, what kind of genre are they? If you only have to play straight riffs that are memorized, then it probably wouldn't be that hard. But seriously, if any improvising is required I doubt a 14 year old has the skills to do so.
Your post about college grad with money leads me to believe you're not an idiot. I'm with guy incognito on this one, if I were you my BS-meter would have exploded by now.
I don't want to burst your bubble, and they obviously know that you're in school, but do they know just how very much of a minor you are? Like, not taking ability into consideration because I'm sure that you can play circles of 4ths around me, but 14 is a HA-UUUUUGE liability...I'm assuming. It'd in all likelihood be cheaper and easier to hire someone older unless there's a drastic deficit of bassists/guitarists without gigs.
That said, good job.
slowburnaz
Commercial User
I forgot to add the disclaimer:
Great as the picture I painted may seem, if the parents say 'no way'... you've just gotta suck it up and do it their way. You're 14, and they know much more about what is good for you than you could possibly appreciate at this point in your life.
That's true, and yes you do learn something, but there are just some things, such as touring, that you just can't learn in school. Yes, school can teach you to be responsible and organized, but you don't know how to apply it until you go out there and prove yourself.
I'm not saying drop out. That would be dumb, but if it's really a good band and you think you can do something with it, give it a shot, but be prepared for the consequences if it doesn't work out like you hoped.
"Touring" isn't exactly a life lesson that prepares one for life.
Something to keep in mind : The vast majority of people who take time off from school and say "I'll start back after a semester", or "I'll get tutored" don't follow through.
We can't make decisions for you, but keep in mind that the people you meet in the future will form their opinions ABOUT you based on your past history.
School prepares you for life by opening doors that would otherwise be closed to a "non-graduate". If this was a band that had a major deal, a hit on the charts, or something other to offer besides "they're gonna tour" I would say "go for it, but don't forget your priorities". But in this case I would lean toward staying in school. You have the rest of your life to tour, make records, etc ... and only a few years (realistically) when you can get an education that will truly "benefit" you for the rest of your life.
Think long and hard about it. You may not think that it is that important of a decision, but in reality, it could be a real turning point in your life... for "better", or for "worse".
We can't make decisions for you, but keep in mind that the people you meet in the future will form their opinions ABOUT you based on your past history.
School prepares you for life by opening doors that would otherwise be closed to a "non-graduate". If this was a band that had a major deal, a hit on the charts, or something other to offer besides "they're gonna tour" I would say "go for it, but don't forget your priorities". But in this case I would lean toward staying in school. You have the rest of your life to tour, make records, etc ... and only a few years (realistically) when you can get an education that will truly "benefit" you for the rest of your life.
Think long and hard about it. You may not think that it is that important of a decision, but in reality, it could be a real turning point in your life... for "better", or for "worse".
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These guys?
Have you told them you're 14?...........
They've got a busy schedule. Lots of bar gigs, which will be a challenge for a 14 year old. My guess is alot of pros will audition for this band.
You might be getting a tad ahead of yourself.
I am old. Like you could be my grandson old. And cynical. But fair.
It varies from person to person if this can work out.
Music wise you will cut it. Probably.
I would be scared to let my kids or grandchildren do that.
I know people who are more together at 11 than the "adults" I deal with.
I've never toured or even worked a band full time locally.
But I do know (and have played with) people who did tour.
(With nationally famous acts, with well recorded groups, major symphonies)
Can you do your with schoolwork with distractions?
Are you truly driven and focused?
Has your work in school been stellar?
Can you get along with stupid, irritating people?
Can you eat almost anything and stay well?
Can you say no to all alcohol, drugs and any other stupid or wasteful vices, (this is a family forum- I can't be more descriptive, but guess) even if everyone around wants to do it?
Can you walk away? Can you just say no?
Are the people you would be touring with going to get you in trouble (Drug bust, stupid fights?)
A key question--Would you go to church every week or two? Even on tour?
What about money?
Expenses? Medical insurance?
If all of these things can be worked out and you can stand it, you will have interesting stories.
My guess is your parents may be fair and honest about the project.
(Most such gigs have a major reason they did get not an adult who would take the gig. The adults can sense a bad deal when you might not. And say no when you may not)
Very hard to say when we don't really know you as a person.
It could work, but there are a lot of places for things to break down, especially as you are young.
Many of the players who have toured ultimately end up doing some other job/profession. School success is important. Keep your options open.
Money and good management are key to success in entertainment. You are rather young for dealing effectively with the business end.
It varies from person to person if this can work out.
Music wise you will cut it. Probably.
I would be scared to let my kids or grandchildren do that.
I know people who are more together at 11 than the "adults" I deal with.
I've never toured or even worked a band full time locally.
But I do know (and have played with) people who did tour.
(With nationally famous acts, with well recorded groups, major symphonies)
Can you do your with schoolwork with distractions?
Are you truly driven and focused?
Has your work in school been stellar?
Can you get along with stupid, irritating people?
Can you eat almost anything and stay well?
Can you say no to all alcohol, drugs and any other stupid or wasteful vices, (this is a family forum- I can't be more descriptive, but guess) even if everyone around wants to do it?
Can you walk away? Can you just say no?
Are the people you would be touring with going to get you in trouble (Drug bust, stupid fights?)
A key question--Would you go to church every week or two? Even on tour?
What about money?
Expenses? Medical insurance?
If all of these things can be worked out and you can stand it, you will have interesting stories.
My guess is your parents may be fair and honest about the project.
(Most such gigs have a major reason they did get not an adult who would take the gig. The adults can sense a bad deal when you might not. And say no when you may not)
Very hard to say when we don't really know you as a person.
It could work, but there are a lot of places for things to break down, especially as you are young.
Many of the players who have toured ultimately end up doing some other job/profession. School success is important. Keep your options open.
Money and good management are key to success in entertainment. You are rather young for dealing effectively with the business end.
I just listened to them and I don't think they are worth risking school over. I find it very hard to believe that they would even be offered a tour with RJA. I just don't see that band getting that big.
I did a tour with a band out of Florida as a try out and i turned the position down but its something now I don't know if I will ever let myself live down because they did get huge.
I have over the years met quite a few people in touring acts that are on tour just about year round who take online college courses and it works fine. They just do it on the drives.
I did a tour with a band out of Florida as a try out and i turned the position down but its something now I don't know if I will ever let myself live down because they did get huge.
I have over the years met quite a few people in touring acts that are on tour just about year round who take online college courses and it works fine. They just do it on the drives.
Yes, those guys. They know i'm 14. The main issue we worked out was schooling, so now I have about 9 months to make a decision on my education. Why not start now? I'll have the best insight in 9 months, better than if i started three months from now.
I don't know though. I've seen ads for these guys needed a bassist for three months or so and nobody's even bothered.
I did say IF and ONLY IF, NO GUARANTEES, so I don't think i'm getting ahead of myself.
Why not prepare?
That's just like planning two seperate ways: One way if I get a good salary job, and the other if I don't get it.
If I dont make this band or something arises, option one is school.
If I DO make this band and tour, will I have to tutor, or what?
You catch my drift?
I don't know though. I've seen ads for these guys needed a bassist for three months or so and nobody's even bothered.
I did say IF and ONLY IF, NO GUARANTEES, so I don't think i'm getting ahead of myself.
Why not prepare?
That's just like planning two seperate ways: One way if I get a good salary job, and the other if I don't get it.
If I dont make this band or something arises, option one is school.
If I DO make this band and tour, will I have to tutor, or what?
You catch my drift?
More deals about the tour would be helpful.
If you only miss 8 days a semester I don't see the problem. You shouldn't even need a tutor. Unless I missed something and you'd be missing more than 8, in which case can you technically move on to the next grade? The 8 days rule at my school involves summer school if you do miss more than 8.
If I were you, I would consider the situation yourself, and talk it over with your parents. Not old people who wish they could have made it as a musician, and view this tour as a chance (not to insult anyone here).
If you're doing it for experience, and not in hopes that you'll become a world famous musician, and you've considered all the consequences but think that the benefits out way them, then I guess you should go for it.
And like others are asking, what kind of band wants a 14 year old who 'knows all his scales and modes.' Do you know the members? Do you think you have a chance at try-outs?
If you only miss 8 days a semester I don't see the problem. You shouldn't even need a tutor. Unless I missed something and you'd be missing more than 8, in which case can you technically move on to the next grade? The 8 days rule at my school involves summer school if you do miss more than 8.
If I were you, I would consider the situation yourself, and talk it over with your parents. Not old people who wish they could have made it as a musician, and view this tour as a chance (not to insult anyone here).
If you're doing it for experience, and not in hopes that you'll become a world famous musician, and you've considered all the consequences but think that the benefits out way them, then I guess you should go for it.
And like others are asking, what kind of band wants a 14 year old who 'knows all his scales and modes.' Do you know the members? Do you think you have a chance at try-outs?
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