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My goals, out there in the open

O

oniman7

Jun 1, 2010
2,490
10
Saint Augustine, Florida
#1
Some of these could be done tomorrow. Some in 15 years. Some maybe never. If I achieve even a few of them, I'll be happy. For now they're just something to work for when I need inspiration. More about me and the goals at the bottom

1. Learn new instruments. Specifically, vocal lessons, piano, upright bass, cello, mandocello/bouzouki/octave mandolin, and drums really interest me.

2. Get an original composition placed in TV, movie, or (preferably) a video game.

3. Write a song (instrumentally) that makes somebody cry given no context. To me, the best in music is all about that powerful, overwhelming emotion when you get goosebumps and tear up a little. Triumph, sadness, anger, whatever it is.

4. Compose, arrange, produce, and record an entirely original album, suite, odyssey, or other complete thematic musical work by myself.

5. Record a rendition or bass cover of one of my favorite songs, place it on YouTube, get over 25,000 social media hits, and receive at least 95% positive feedback.

6. Watch one of my students play a successful gig on their instrument.

7. Be able to live at least 1 year off of money made from music.

8. Ability to play a gig with no rehearsals (will have a shot at this soon), sight read/improvise a show, or pick up a song while listening to it.

9. Be a part of a rock band and have at least a Gold record.

10. Play to a sold out world stadium, Rock Am Ring, Rock in Rio, Ozzfest, etc. Bonus points if favorite bands are headlining.

11. Be comfortable enough singing to do a significant amount of portions on a live or recording gig.

12. Achieve status as a "go-to guy" in my area when somebody needs bass work.

13. The last for now, and possibly the hardest to achieve: Have a project (song or work of some sort) that I look at and am 100% satisfied with, would change nothing, and am convinced I have made it my best work.

Didn't know where to put this, but this is probably my favorite part of the forum, and it seemed to fit, so I stuck it here. Can be moved if necessary.

I've been re thinking a lot of things about my music career. I'm 17. Graduated high school in the summer. This spring I'll be going to my community college for Entertainment Technology.

I've never been somebody to lay out schedules and deadlines and goals and such, but with music, I know what I want (many things) and I thought it would help to set some that I can work towards every day. Then I decided it would be fun to share them with people!

I can read music, play bass and classical, and know theory. I've recently stepped up my practice routine and try to get at least 4 hours in a day. More is better. Practice includes bass, theory, keyboard, composition, etc.

If you guys feel like you want to share some of your own, comment, give me advice, it's all welcome. I love Talkbass!
 
#2
Hey I got a goal for ya Mr. 17 years old. Go to bed it's 4 AM on a school night! Who do ya think you are? Some grumpy old insomniac like me or something!

No seriously good luck with the goals and dreams. You forgot the most important one though. It's scoring heavy with the babes that counts! ;)
 
#3
Bert Slide said:
Hey I got a goal for ya Mr. 17 years old. Go to bed it's 4 AM on a school night! Who do ya think you are? Some grumpy old insomniac like me or something!

No seriously good luck with the goals and dreams. You forgot the most important one though. It's scoring heavy with the babes that counts! ;)
Click to expand...

Missed the part about being a graduate ;) thanks though.
 
#5
Man, you've got similar goals as me and I'm four years older. All I've learned is to practice, practice, and practice after that. Hoping someone who's reached some of these goals will comment because I'm also looking out at the horizon and would like a roadmap to get there. Good Luck!
 
#7
Success in all things is at least 50% who you know.
The only way you develop a reputation as someone good to work with
is by going out there and working with the people.

You should consider adding a goal of networking with your local music scene,
developing relationships with people in local bands/promoters/studios/music rags/radio.
 
#9
mambo4 said:
Success in all things is at least 50% who you know.
The only way you develop a reputation as someone good to work with
is by going out there and working with the people.

You should consider adding a goal of networking with your local music scene,
developing relationships with people in local bands/promoters/studios/music rags/radio.
Click to expand...

I have started doing that but don't know how to make a quantifiable goal out of it. I just started talking to the other bass/guitar teacher at the studio I teach (I'm the new guy) and he invited me to go with him and some friends to see Victor Wooten. I guess that's progress.
 
#10
oniman7 said:
I have started doing that but don't know how to make a quantifiable goal out of it.
Click to expand...

If networking were easily quantifiable, everyone would just do it. The fact that that you have to physically be in the places where the local music scene happens, and willingly get in peoples faces (nicely, sincerely) and show them you have something to offer, that is, The fact that it takes a lot of time and effort, is what keeps most bands in the basement.

It's hard work, you have to extend yourself a lot which can be challenging depending on your level of introvert/extrovertness.

The best advice I can think of is learn do more than just play music: cultivate a broad set of skills useful in a music scene. Learn to run sound, or be a booker, or do promotions, or write for a local music rag, or be a band photographer, or recording engineering and so forth. And of course be pleasant and helpful to work with.

The only good part is that the network grows exponentially with each new person who comes to view you as someone worth working with. Over time, people start referring you to others. But getting to that point takes a lot of foot work, and there's no shortcut.
 
#11
1. Become the best musician I can be.

2. Become proficient on as many different instruments as I can (primarily drums, bass and keys).

3. Not let my ego get in the way of where my music can go as I pursue it and letting the love of my art guide me in whatever direction music may take me.
 
#12
Put in some time today and I feel good about myself.

Did a little over an hour of vocal practice

About 45 minutes channeling creative energy through my MIDI controller

Taught an hour lesson (Making that $$)

Spent another 3 hours practicing and trying to record a bass cover for one of my favorite songs.

I learned a lot of things. One of them being "Make sure the camera is charged".
 
#14
JimmyM said:
My advice:

Don't let your practice get slack, and stay off the crack.
Click to expand...

haha, thanks for your two cents. The second one is easy. The first one is a little more challenging every now and again.

I like all the other goals people have posted here, too. Keep it coming!

I did a couple pretty good takes of "Nightmare" by Avenged Sevenfold. As soon as I get some latency issues figured out and get the video working, I'll post that. It'll be a solid first step to number 5. Hopefully the first of many I can do.
 
#15
Oh, one other one...it's cool to have big goals and everything, but you have to do it for the love because unless you win the rock star lottery, big money may never come your way. Very possible to make a decent to good living, but if it isn't fun, the lack of money in the early stages can be very discouraging.
 
#16
JimmyM said:
Oh, one other one...it's cool to have big goals and everything, but you have to do it for the love because unless you win the rock star lottery, big money may never come your way. Very possible to make a decent to good living, but if it isn't fun, the lack of money in the early stages can be very discouraging.
Click to expand...

I've prepared for this.

I am going to get a degree in Entertainment Technology. It's a 2 year degree. I will have the option to take a test to gain entrance to the local wing of the IATSE, and I'll have skills to work sound equipment, lighting rigs, multimedia technology, recording etc.

My goal (assuming the rockstar plan fails -- which it probably will) is to freelance doing lessons, sub gigs, cover gigs, session work, recording. By getting the degree I expand my job opportunities to anything requiring A/V technology. Still close enough to something I love doing, and I love working with computers.
 
#17
You're going to Full Sail? ;) Boy, that's a lot of money to pay to get into a flaky business like music. For the money that costs, I'd rather buy a bunch of recording gear and a decent PA/lighting rig for myself and teach myself how to use it. It ain't brain surgery, and you get to keep the gear.
 
#18
JimmyM said:
You're going to Full Sail? ;) Boy, that's a lot of money to pay to get into a flaky business like music. For the money that costs, I'd rather buy a bunch of recording gear and a decent PA/lighting rig for myself and teach myself how to use it. It ain't brain surgery, and you get to keep the gear.
Click to expand...

No no no. Looked at that, looked at the $80K price tag, that was that.

It's actually a course offered at my state college. A local sound engineer pointed me there and said he'd vouch for me for admission and scholarship.
 
#19
Oh, then by all means give it a shot! Soundguys seem to make the best money on our gigs from what I can see. Sure, they have a lot more expenses and work a lot harder, but it can pretty good paydays once you make the initial investment if you know what you're doing.
 

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