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Serious Life Question

#41
Go to college and get a degree in Music. Then teach it. Highschool music teacher... whatever.

Dont stop pursuing your passion in music. Just make sure you have a backup career.

You are still young and its possible you may have a change of heart at some point. Just make sure you have something to fall back on financially. Otherwise you might be stuck working dead-end jobs for the rest of your life.

Personally, I made myself finish university before getting involved in a band. I knew I would be obssessed with the band/music and I am. Now I can pay my bills and pursue my passion.
 
#43
Bass of Justice said:
who knows anything about being an electrician?
seems like pretty solid income and it has many applications in music.

just thinking out loud. a good idea?
Click to expand...

I would still advise getting a music education and possibly teaching music (fairly good day job, lots of vacation time, also has to do with music), but as far as I know, being an electrician is a decent enough job.
 
#46
Being an electrician, beyond the knowledge, can be physical work if you're in construction. Some corporations hire electrician to work on their plants. Some electricians work for subcontractors that corporations hire. It can be tough work...heat/cold in unfinished buildings, etc.

If you have a Union Local in your area, stop by and ask questions. You start out as a newbie apprentice and work your way up to journeyman based on what you know and experience.

There are lots of skilled trades available. Many community colleges offer two year programs for these type of careers. You might want to check out: Link Removed
 
#47
The bums lost. Get a job sir.

But seriously always hedge your bets you can go to college and meet bandmates on your level there. Especially if you go to a good music school. Not to mention a lot of younger people don't realize you have a ******** of time to practice in college especially the first two years before it gets harder.
 
#48
My advice is going to be a little different.

When you've graduated college move out of your parents house immediately. Learn what its like to actually provide for yourself. You shouldn't go to school at this point. If you are not serious about school your grades will show it. College isn't highschool. Take this time to find out what your passion is outside of music.

When you get sick of working your ass off in outside whether or hot resteraunts for 60 hours a week at minimum wage between your 2 jobs (because that's what it will take to pay the rent in your 500 sq ft apartment) go back to school. I'm guessing this will take about a year to get to this point. If you still don't know what you want to major in, go to a junior college and get an associates degree that will transfer to any 4 year university and wipe out a lot of their requirements.

If you want to be a music teacher, go to college for it. If you want to teach guitar in a local music store or want to be a rock star, don't worry about the education. No one cares that Paul McCartney didn't graduate from Berklee.
 
#49
I was presented with this same dilemma at your age. My dad pretty much said the same thing as your mom, but countered with that he would pay for any 4 year degree other than music that I wanted to get and once done if I still wanted to go after music I could.

So I took him up on it, did some research on job markets and went after a very specialized degree. 10 years later and I've never regretted the choice. I'm 28 and own a bunch of custom bass gear, 2 cars, and built a new home in the last year mostly out of pocket. I still play bass like a mad man, and probably still have about the same chances of making it famous as I did back then.

A couple of things I would caution is that I was one of those high school students where it came easy but I hated it. Once I got to college I took it seriously and graduated with a 3.98 GPA. I got the job I have because I took college seriously and after my first semester didn't need my parents help anymore because I got scholarships for it all. My parents divorced when I was 6 and I was raised by my mother who was always broke so my goal in life was to not raise my kids on Ramen noodles.

I've heard a ton of people also comment that those that went into music college with very little talent or musical knowledge got better but the Stevie Vai's of the world were already good. Don't think Berklee or where ever is going to automatically make you Victor Wooten if you don't already show signs of Wootenage. Thats my 2 cents. Anyway good luck and I hope you succeed.
 
#51
I will just add another vote to get an education or training in one of the skilled trades instead of trying to make a living as a gigging musician. The few people I know that tried to make music as a living are either really poor or gave it up. You can alway quit the day job if your big break comes along.
 
#52
Bass of Justice said:
I am 17. Recently, I informed my mom that I had never planned on going to college, that I wanted to be a musician. Then of course she goes off on me about how its not a realistic goal and that many people want to be musicians but most of them don't make it.

I know I will have to work a low paying job for years, but I'm not afraid of being poor, as long as I make enough to live, my main concern is music. I'm much more afraid that I'll spend my whole life doing something I have absolutely no passion for. Nothing is as important to me as music.

I'm unsure now though if she's right and I'm making a foolish decision as young people typically do. I don't know what I'm asking, I guess just looking for some guidance.

Any wisdom/inspiration is much appreciated, especially from you veterans ;)
Click to expand...

You'll find more opportunities in music and musicians at college than pumping gas and "trying to make it".

College and being a musician isn't exclusive of eachother.
 
#53
There are many great, solid responses in this thread.

My advice is also similar to others, do you want to be a session player, or do you want to play in an awesome original band???

If you want to be a session player, you will have to go to some music college or major in music. This is the clear next step to get the skills and connections for pursuing such a path, the exceptions to this would be very small. Also in saying that, you would have to be pretty good already at your instrument already with a solid notion of music theory.

If you wanted to be in an original rock band, i think your path can be very different. You won't need to be amazing on your instrument, and you won't need to practice for hours each day. What you will need however is a drive and determination like no other, the luck and hardwork that is required to put together an amazing rock band, and patience, cause believe me original bands take alot of time to put together, and than even more time as you play many shows for little money, and just generally live in poverty sometimes. If the thought you being a few days drive from home, your bus breaks down, the temperature is so humid and hot, and all you have to eat is a can of tuna, and the show you play that night only has 15 people, if that thought doesn't interest you, than maybe being in a original rock band is not a great idea.
 

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