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Playing as a career

Nick Thorpe

Nick Thorpe

Jun 3, 2013
202
176
Boston, MA
#1
I made the decision a while ago that I'd like to make a career out of playing bass. I've gotten tons of help and advice from guys on and off of this website and learned a lot! But today in class, my orchestra director told me about a new idea I hadn't thought of before: military band. He said you have to pass the audition (and he thought I could pass it easily) plus whatever physical fitness exam they require (shouldn't be a problem). He told me that you get to travel all over the world playing in various military ensembles, and after serving 20 years you can retire around age 40 and receive health benefits + retirement checks for the rest of your life. So my plan might be this:

-Enlist in the army band on bass guitar when I graduate high school, age 18
-Play in the army band and use the financial aid for college and such to get my masters while in the US (my teacher said you could do that, but it doesn't sound right)
-Retire from the army band after 20 years around age 40 w/ a masters degree in electric bass
-Find a college where I can teach (He said army band career + masters is a good resume for a college gig)
-Do studio/teaching/sit-in work in addition to receiving retirement checks to live off of

How many gaps are in this plan? Assuming I'm a good enough player, is this a somewhat realistic plan or am I dreaming here?

Any help/career advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
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#2
I think you are approaching this in a very mature way considering you are still a high school student. Most kids your age aren't even thinking about a career. One thing I would ask, are you able to audition before you enlist? I had a friend do something very similar in the Air Force, and after he enlisted, he auditioned for the Air Force band, and didn't make it. Kind of sucked for him, and he didn't enjoy the job he ended up having during his 4 year stint.
 
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#4
In all seriousness, 20 years may not sound like that long of a time, but those are arguably the most important 20 years of your life.

Take a long hard look in the mirror and decide if the next time you have free time to yourself you want to be fat in the middle, bald on top, and hairy in all the places you wish you weren't.
 
#5
When you enlist though, it's not for 20 years. You sign up for shorter stints. After 4 years he may find that it's not for him, and he has started the process of college and having a way to pay for it. And I doubt that joining the Army band is going to cause you to be fat, bald, and hairy... That can happen anywhere...
 
#6
I've had some friends that are involved with military music (Air Force and Marines). I don't know anything about the Army's music programs, but I would guess there will be stiff competition, since I think most of the contenders would be joining up following their college music careers. This doesn't mean you don't have a chance, but just have a realistic look at where your chops are at. Best of luck!
 
#8
You need to talk to armybass. Scott did his stint in the Army jazz band, traveled the world, got to use lots of great gear, and developed into one great player and a hell of a nice guy. I'm sure he could give you the down low as someone who's been there and done that.
 
#9
I've known people that were in military bands, it is probably the best military duty you could have.

I bought my first good drum set from a military drummer, he suggested that it might be a good deal for me at the time. I didn't look seriously at, but maybe I should have.
 
#10
Just make sure you have a 'plan B' for when life changes things up on you, and be flexible enough to act quickly when it does. Your tastes/plans/desires/etc. will probably change over time, be prepared for that also.

FWIW, I'm 40, and recommend that one research careers, what they pay, and their demand, and how these factors change over time. IMO it would be better to earn enough income to be able to afford to do what you want on the side than to do what you want for a living. I'd love to work at my local indie shop and tune/play basses all day long, but it wouldn't pay the bills. In HS I was told that I'd probably be working a job that didn't exist back then, and that's exactly what happened.

Also, there's a good, short book that I strongly recommend you go read before proceeding - it's called "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" - don't judge it by the name, just read it, and see if that helps your perspective.

Best of luck!

(BTW, when opportunity meets with preparation, 'luck' occurs!)

Eric
 
#11
gbrooding said:
I think you are approaching this in a very mature way considering you are still a high school student. Most kids your age aren't even thinking about a career. One thing I would ask, are you able to audition before you enlist? I had a friend do something very similar in the Air Force, and after he enlisted, he auditioned for the Air Force band, and didn't make it. Kind of sucked for him, and he didn't enjoy the job he ended up having during his 4 year stint.
Click to expand...

I asked about it and he said I could audition before I enlist, and even have a mock/preliminary audition before I tie myself down to anything.
 
#13
gbrooding said:
And I doubt that joining the Army band is going to cause you to be fat, bald, and hairy... That can happen anywhere...
Click to expand...

That was my point. It's going to happen, it's just a question of where he wants to be when it does - youth is the one thing you get that no one can take away from you, I would think long and hard about committing to sell the whole thing away in one shot.

Think about where you want to be in 5 years before you worry about where you'll be in 20.
 
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#16
A lot of people have misconceptions about military life. In addition to what you put in your original post, don't forget you can (and will, if you want to) gig with civilians the entire time you're in. I did a total of 24 years - 14 Army and 10 Air Force. It's a great way to make a living, and you walk away with a paycheck and benefits for the rest of your life.
 
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#18
Razman said:
Just make sure you have a 'plan B' for when life changes things up on you, and be flexible enough to act quickly when it does. Your tastes/plans/desires/etc. will probably change over time, be prepared for that also.

FWIW, I'm 40, and recommend that one research careers, what they pay, and their demand, and how these factors change over time. IMO it would be better to earn enough income to be able to afford to do what you want on the side than to do what you want for a living. I'd love to work at my local indie shop and tune/play basses all day long, but it wouldn't pay the bills. In HS I was told that I'd probably be working a job that didn't exist back then, and that's exactly what happened.

Also, there's a good, short book that I strongly recommend you go read before proceeding - it's called "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" - don't judge it by the name, just read it, and see if that helps your perspective.

Best of luck!

(BTW, when opportunity meets with preparation, 'luck' occurs!)

Eric
Click to expand...
To be honest, I think that people tend to go both ways on this. Some prefer to do a job that they don't love (not that they hate it, necessarily!) and pursue their life goals/dreams etc on the side. Many others simply can't stomach this, and have a need to do something in their productive hours/years that fulfils them in that way. I think a lot of it is related to personality type, and I'm not saying that one is better than the other, and I personally think you might be more fortunate from many points of view as the former!

I am saying this not only as someone who ditched a conventional career to play music, but as someone who is giving up that 'dream job' of playing music full-time in order to do something else that is, I hope, even more fulfilling to me.
 
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#19
I leave for boot camp at the end of December to start my path to be an army bass player. I just took the audition and passed a few months ago (it is heavy duty). I have a degree in performance and still did not pass with very high marks. A lot of people pass but only the highest scores get whatever spots are open. Good luck. I would love to answer any specific questions you have, but I only know about the Army Band.
 
#20
- Consider the odds on getting into the Army Band on bass. Competition will be very tough.
- Since the Army Band is the first step on your list, consider alternatives if you don't make the cut for the Army Band.
- Possibly go to college first and try and get in the college jazz band on bass. I did this on upright bass.
- Join the Army and play on the side while building up your GI bill for college.
- Consider the alternatives to a college major on bass guitar. The field is very narrow and it may be hard to find a teaching position that supports you.
- If all else fails, complete college and get a degree in a more in demand field. Play bass on the side to help with your college bills
- When you graduate from college, have a day job and possibly teach bass on the side and play in a band or two for extra income.

I'm NOT trying to discourage you, but I see a lot of tough competition in your plan. Also if you are in the Army these days, you may deploy a lot and the need for a band will probably be low. You always need backup plans if your first choice fails.

I wish you the best with your plans, but always keep other doors open.
 

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