• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Playing as a career

#22
The part that was left out is that when you enlist, your primary function is a soldier. There is still a chance that you could see combat action if needed. It's a small chance but it could happen. Not sure if you can audition prior to enlisting or not. If you have to enlist first and do not pass the audition, chances are you will be placed in the infantry and it will be very likely that you could be sent to a combat situation. When I enlisted to become an MP, we were told that if we could not qualify with a .45 caliber hand gun, we would be assigned to the infantry. I assume the same applies for positions within the military. Research it before you decide to enlist.
 
#24
Kmonk said:
The part that was left out is that when you enlist, your primary function is a soldier. There is still a chance that you could see combat action if needed. It's a small chance but it could happen. Not sure if you can audition prior to enlisting or not. If you have to enlist first and do not pass the audition, chances are you will be placed in the infantry and it will be very likely that you could be sent to a combat situation. When I enlisted to become an MP, we were told that if we could not qualify with a .45 caliber hand gun, we would be assigned to the infantry. I assume the same applies for positions within the military. Research it before you decide to enlist.
Click to expand...

Good point - you want to think long and hard about whether an active combat soldier is something you ever want to have a chance/risk of becoming - it's not something to take lightly, even if it's only a chance. You'd also want to consider even whether the military life would be something that you would be suited for - military discipline, being posted to different places, giving up the freedom to make certain decisions about your life. It's certainly not something that everyone is comfortable with.
 
#26
One of the best bassists I ever heard played with the West Point band - he was jamming with some local musicians and did a home recording session. Those people knew Ahmad Jamal, and that's how he landed that gig to play with him for a number of years.

Not easy - you aren't exactly the only one looking to go that route - but it is a more realistic option than many others. Good luck.
 
#27
I know a civilian bass player who subs with a regional air force band occasionally.
He's employed by a symphony orchestra, but is no slouch on electric.
He really enjoys these opportunities and tells me the talent level is on a par (or sometimes better) than his orchestral peers
(and this is one of the regional air force bands, not the national band)

How he managed to get these gigs I don't know if there are so many bass players around, but expect considerable competition.
(and frankly if it all falls through, I'd prefer to be in the air force than the army)

Link Removed
 
#28
Folks, if you don't understand army life (especially that of Army musicians) please refrain from speculating. You're not helping.


OP - you absolutely can audition before you enlist. Also, consider checking out the other services, as well. I can tell you for sure that life is better in the Air Force than the Army. But I can also tell you the audition for the AF is considerably harder.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregC
#29
The Navy Band is also harder. I played trombone in high school and college. When the draft was knocking on my door I decided to try out for the Navy Band. They didn't need a trombone player, but did need a baritone player. I borrowed a baritone from my old high school, practiced it for a couple of weeks then promptly failed the audition. By that time I had received a notice to report for a physical so I quickly made the decision to join the Air Force to stay out of Vietnam. Bad choice. With the Air Force I served two 12 month tours in Vietnam.
 
#30
I'm a Vet and this is a decent plan. You get to travel the world, constant practice and gigs to play, money for college and yes after 20 you can retire and teach and gig or whatever. This makes a lot of sense. If you happen to get married and have kids, you'll qualify for on post housing, get a housing and extra food allowance, clothing/uniform allowance, free medical care for you and your family (even to have babies once you make them) and still be a young man when you get out. If you do a full 20 you retire with full benefits to include health care. I didn't retire but I even have a burial benefit where my wife and I can be buried in the same plot at a Veterans Memorial Cemetary. Cost to me, nothing, cost for my wife only $500 and we both qualify for free headstones/markers. I know you are a long way from this but it will be something to think about years down the road. I have a stste gov't job now and when I retire one of the benefits is a burail allowance. Thus no financial burden on my family at all when I pass. You have to think about your future years down the road. Man this sounds like a plan if you can hack the Military Lifestyle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leo Smith
#32
I'm in Canada, so it may be a little different here, but I play regularly with multiple military musicians on weekends. It seems like one of the best gigs out there if you don't mind being relocated. A good salary as a musician is a pretty rare thing, never mind the benefits and pension.

I will say that they are all pretty phenomenal players, and many of them play multiple instruments. If your hoping to go this path you had better be able to play.

I can't comment on the military life.
 
#33
Nick,
Sent you a contact on FB to help here. Give him a call.
One other thing to consider: You may have a better placement if you hold off your service until after college. If you're a stronger player on both Electric and Double Bass you have a shot at getting in one of the more premier bands (The Airmen of Note, etc.) and a little better assignments. Just a thought.
They will also pay on your student loans, but some of the guys who've done the Service Bands will know more about that.
I might get some Music School under your belt before you go in if you can afford it.
Good luck and keep me posted!
Roy
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pacman and tat2jim
#34
Pacman said:
Folks, if you don't understand army life (especially that of Army musicians) please refrain from speculating. You're not helping.
Click to expand...
My apologies. I'd be really interested to hear your take on living that life. I guess the main thing that I wanted to say was that it is a particular kind of life, more so than many other jobs are, and you want to consider that carefully. Of course, being a professional musician outside of the military is a particular kind of life too - working late nights when everyone else is socialising, perhaps having opposite working hours to your spouse, hustling for gigs - and you'd want to consider that carefully too.
 
#36
Pacman said:
Folks, if you don't understand army life (especially that of Army musicians) please refrain from speculating. You're not helping.


OP - you absolutely can audition before you enlist. Also, consider checking out the other services, as well. I can tell you for sure that life is better in the Air Force than the Army. But I can also tell you the audition for the AF is considerably harder.
Click to expand...


i recommend listening to Packard here - he's served as a bassist in two services...and is a Chief, too, so he knows what he's talking about...absolutely look into the other services...for a long time, the Navy required bassists to double on tuba, believe it or not, which is no longer required, but my point is, look at all of the requirements of all the services...being a bandsman is hard work, and the auditions are a bear...i sat next to the navy band enlisted program managers, and their senior enlisted advisor was a Master Chief who was a bass player...not only was their audition requirements super difficult, playing music isn't going to be the only thing you're doing as you advance...these guys book gigs, lead bands, travel all over the place doing gigs and sessions, the whole bit - it's the total band experience, not just strapping on a bass and playing some tunes, it's management, and everything else that comes with it...and you get the added bonus of being a service member...i'm not a bandsman, but i just went over 20 years in the navy last month...it's a great feeling...keep looking into it - good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leo Smith, Pacman and Roy Vogt

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back