Trigger Warning: Making money as a musician...

[dbsfgyd1]

What I tell my wife if she says something about cost of basses or bass gear;

All the basses & other gear I currently have and have ever had in the past is equivalent to about 1/8 the value of a well equipped bass boat and worth about 1/2 of that ring you wear that we traded up to by our 35th anniversary. Be glad I’m not into bass fishing and you aren’t (more) into jewelry, AND I can make money with my stuff….

The way I've looked at it, it's a self funding avocation.

I had a buddy of mine that went to Florida to golf often in the winter. Not including his ever changing sets of clubs, videos, lessons, shoes, clothes, and hats, used to spend with green fees, transportation, accommodations, food and bar tab admitted to his misses, about $600 a trip. I suspect the actual tab was quite a bit higher. Maybe being a musician is not such a problem if properly handled.

I got a lot of spousal support by sharing the revenue. Occasional dinner out, a nice weekend away. I've even funded a couple of modest vacations from playing goes a long way on the home front.

 

[IamGroot]

The happiest jazz musicians I know are physicians and Lawyers, with a few PhD Scientists thrown in.

When they play music, its becasue they want to, not because they have to.

 

[fhm555]

When asked if I make any money at music I tell folks sure, and at the rate I'm going I should have my gear paid for by the time I'm seventy.

 

[FenderBassist]

Had lots of opportunities to play in the Tri-State area years ago.

Never made much money after all the expenses were paid,

but they were good days and worth all the work.

 

[Killing Floor]

I just learned Jimi Hendrix is penniless.

 

[Paul New]

I just learned Jimi Hendrix is penniless.

Jim Morrison and Janet Joplin too!

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Money is validation. I don't need a lot, but I do need some. Playing in a stinky little bar band is fun, for sure, but it also takes a lot of actual work. And time. I live an hour away from most of the venues I play. Driving to and from, along with load-in, load-out, is often a seven hour day.