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What Should I Do With My Life?

#41
Honestly as a teacher, I would recommend that if you want to stick with music you should be a public school teacher, here is why. If you teach music in a middle school for instance, you will 1. have summers and other holidays off, 2. get decent enough pay, 3. you'll be teaching a subject you care about, 4. your principal probably wont know much about music so your job should be pretty secure if you try your best, 5. You're not a core subject teacher so theres less pressure and less stressing over homework and test grades, etc. 6. Nights and weekends off for gigging. This doesn't have to be a permanent solution but it might be something to try out while you stabilize yourself with solid income and prepare to move on into the music world. God bless with your journey!
 
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#42
My thoughts and experience...
  • Pretty much all the people I know who are earning their living in the arts had no B plan.
  • Regarding any kind of audio engineering/production just about everyone I know who's earning a living at it didn't go to school for it.
  • College is a huge waste of money for someone who doesn't really want to go.
  • College is a huge waste of money for someone who doesn't need to go.
  • To be successful in the arts education isn't what's important. What's important is desire, commitment, work ethic, creativity, talent, organizational skills, the ability to get along well with others, the ability to get things done, and salesmanship. You don't need to have all of those, and all of them can be developed - but that's what will make you successful not school.
  • Information is plentiful. You can learn everything you need to learn on the internet, and in books. It's action that's needed.
  • If you want to be successful, as soon as you're done with HS commit to your career as though it's your full-time job. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I guarantee the money will come if you do that and work on all the above mentioned skills. If you have no desire to do that, this might not be the right career choice for you.
  • If you really want to do this, start now. Today. That's a good test to see how much you really want it. Start saving for Protools if you don't already have it, find a free version, start researching and asking questions as you are here. What will you have to learn, what will you have to study, what can you start learning about right this second!
  • Learn to fail and keep putting one foot in front of the other. If you're a person who easily gives up, decide to change that right this second.
  • Practice affirming success. While new-agey, it actually works. If you get to a point where you have 0 doubt that you'll be successful, the success will come. If you think it's impossible, it will be impossible.
  • If you need help in that last area there are lots of positive thinking books available. Off the top of my head, "You'll See It When You Believe It", by Wayne Dyer. There are more practical, less spiritual books available also.
I spit these things out like this because I happen to be one of those guys in their 50s embarking on a career change. I wouldn't label myself grumpy, just yet :), but I know this - I've been very close to earning a good living playing bass several times, with no education in it whatsoever. A long time ago someone advised me to drop everything else, but I had to be more practical. "NOOOO... must have a plan B!!!" I listened to Mom, and Dad, and Bob and Bill and all the other well meaning people. I believe in retrospect had I listened to that woman who advised me to be single focused, I'd currently be earning my living with music. She is, and she's doing great! I do have a pretty decent life outside of music, so I feel I got a fair deal in the trade off (have a wife, some money, own an apartment I rent out, and get to vacation lots), but music doesn't pay my bills and music is what I love most. Back on topic though, my new career training has within it guidelines for being a successful entrepreneur. One of the things that keeps getting reiterated is having a single focus. Pinpoint what you want to do, and do it. If that means putting the rest of the world on hold for 2 or 3 years so be it.

If you want a plan B, you can have that. Don't be surprised if you only reap half the rewards you otherwise may have with your plan A. It even makes mathematical sense.

Best of luck in whatever you decide.
 
#43
OP: Where do you live? Somewhere in the USA? If you have looked at schools down there and everything is looking too expensive to you, you might want to consider pursuing education in Canada. There are quality universities/colleges/technical schools up here, you just gotta do some research and see what's out there. I could be wrong, but I think you could possibly save quite a bit of money by getting your schooling up here. There'd be some things to consider though:

- Cost of living (groceries and material goods anyways) is generally more expensive up here

- Rent can be pretty horrid too, at least in certain cities, ie., Vancouver and Toronto

- There'd definitely be some serious paperwork to do - I'm thinking student visa for starters, what all else I couldn't say, but it might get a bit onerous and/or expensive

- If you can attend school wherever you are living right now (and remain under your parent's roof...I'm assuming you're still living with them), and they would charge you zero or minimal rent, that might actually be the cheaper route than moving to Canada

...and all that is only assuming that going to college or university is actually what you want to do. Like a lot of things in life, sometimes the only way to find out is to actually try it, but that, of course, can end up being an expensive mistake, one that I am familiar with; I went to university for exactly one semester (fresh out of high school), and I crashed and burned hard - not due to partying and/or stupidity, but after 13 years of grade school/junior high/high school, I was just friggin' burnt out on sitting in a classroom and having teachers blab at me all day. I have also learned that I am a person who needs to be on his feet and moving all day, so a lot of university degrees would be wasted on me anyways - a trade would be more up my alley.

Trades/technical versus university: I can't speak for any other country, but I can say that here in Canada, the trades have a lot more respect than they did once upon a time, and a journeyman tradesperson can make as much, and often more, as someone with a university degree. A few years ago I was considering going into an appliance repair program, and managed to convince an appliance repair guy to let me job shadow him. He told me that most years he makes in the low six figures, ie., $100, 000 per year or a bit better. Even in Canadian dollars, that's nothing to sneeze at...:)

Not sure if there is anything else I can add here, if I think of something, maybe I'll post a bit more, but I hope this helps.

EDIT: I guess I should have reread the post that started this thread before posting my reply. OP - if your focus is on music and/or recording and audio production, maybe you should see if there are any studios reasonably close by that might let you "apprentice" there, even if it is in an unofficial and/or unpaid capacity. Obviously you couldn't spend 8, 10, 12 hours per day at a place where you aren't making money, but if they'd let you swing by for a couple of hours per day 3 - 5 days per week, that experience could be invaluable. The rest of the time you cold be working an "actual" job to get funds together, and/or pursuing musical education (even if it is just one or two courses, and keep in mind, there are lots of online offerings; you don't necessarily have to attend a real, physical institution.)
 
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#44
I have a nephew who went to a state school originally to study music, but got interested in audio production. That is what he does now. He travels with a sound company doing major concerts around the country.
Do the school thing even if it is a community college for starters. It will do you well over time.
 
#46
As with any business plan, you need to look at supply and demand. The unfortunate truth (and a lot of musicians don't want to believe it) is that the music industry as we've known it is dying. At the same time, it seems that there are more and more musicians being pumped out of colleges ready to fight over whatever gigs are still out there. Could you get lucky? Sure. I know people who have been lucky enough to land big gigs with world-renowned artists but that is by far the exception and luck tends to play a huge role in such situations (there is no shortage of suitable players for any given gig). As for sessions, don't make the mistake of looking to pros who came up even as recently as the 90s or beginning of the 2000s because the session scene has changed significantly since then. Recording and producing? Same thing. Producers are a dime a dozen and studio downsizing has been the trend for the past while. If you're serious about wanting to explore the crumbling avenue of the music business then you need to get as informed as you can be. Read articles on the state of the industry and talk to people who actually work in it (as opposed to people who have impressions of it that may be drastically outdated and inaccurate).
 
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#47
You sound exactly as I did. I knew that continuing education past 12th grade at that point was a waste of everyone's time. I just couldn't bare the thought of sitting in yet another classroom "learning" bla bla bla. I wanted to be a musician damn it. oddly, no one was hiring musicians out of high school. So, rather than bang around the same old town, I joined the Navy. Never intended for one second to stay in more than my 4 year agreement, I got out and took whatever financial benefit I received and paid for Audio Engineering school in NYC. My thought was, I can be in the music business as an audio engineer and work on my music on the side and perhaps I can network with the talent that I work with.

Did that for 8 years and then the early 90's music bust happened. Not enough music being made to support the needs of pre and post production staff. Lay offs, job to job at a VERY meager salary. Worked "freelance" on Audio for Video for music videos. Then THEY went away. Bailed out and worked my way into an IT position. Met my soon to be ex-wife and gave up music altogether. Kids came. Job to job earning even more money. Divorce. And now, at 53, I still sit in a cubicle making decent money and having got back into music a few years ago. My intension is to try to make it my living once my youngest son graduates high school in 2.5 years (his and his brothers college paid for by the years of sitting in a cubicle).

So, how will I do that at 56 when I couldn't do it at 23? Beats me! But, that's the goal.

Advise from someone who's done exactly what you're thinking of doing. It's gut check time dude. I'd advise a military stint (Go Coast Guard. It's "safer"). You can earn some educational benefit to use after you get out as well as earning quite a bit of money while in. I never felt so rich as when I was in. Just didn't have all the financial responsibilities that one has as they get older. You can get into bands while in the service and improve on your chops and music theory.

Avoid Audio Engineering school at all cost!!! I don't mean to sound like sour grapes here but, you must be realistic. There just isn't that much need for positions in audio like they once were. And even if you do get a job, it's for peanuts. You'll probably find yourself being considered for the "Sound Department guy" at Guitar Center or something, after paying tons of money and learning more math. Yes, math. "Huh? Math for audio school?" Yup, a TON of it. If you don't do well in Algebra, forget it.

Do some people make a good living at it? Sure, but, you have just as good a chance at making a good living at performing music. Do THAT instead. And all it'll cost you is a decent rig.

I know what kind of guy you are. You're me. Take whatever money you have from the service and go get some ******** college degree and worm your way into some sort of job that you can get through each day without slitting your wrist. Live a life and always try to improve yourself. Continue to be a low-end lover and if you're lucky, you'll satisfy that creative side of you while still being able to eat and live under a warm shelter.

Don't stay in your home town working at Target and realistically expect to get into a bar band and have it "go places". Just because it DOES happen, doesn't mean it'll happen when you want it to happen.

Oh yea, and DON'T GET MARRIED!!!!!!!!

Just my 2 cents. ;-) Good luck bass brother.
 
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#48
I would encourage you to attend community college and study a broad scope of liberal arts in order to

A: obtain credits that can be leveraged into a transfer degree
B: expand your scope of interests/study to possibly find something emotionally compelling that can support your lifestyle

Best of luck and hard work!
 
#49
Once upon a time my father (a professional musician who left college to hit the road) told me to study music, play as much as possible, and love the craft but NEVER rely upon it as my source of income.

He was fortunate to leverage his technical abilities into a Union-supported audio visual production career and continue to play.

The upshot of his advice was:

"Son if you have to play for a living- it will become work and you might not love playing as much. You may then have to rely on drugs and womanizing for fun and, God forbid, even THAT might become a chore after a while!"

14 year old Baby Goose:

"Thanks Dad!"

bass12 said:
As with any business plan, you need to look at supply and demand. The unfortunate truth (and a lot of musicians don't want to believe it) is that the music industry as we've known it is dying. At the same time, it seems that there are more and more musicians being pumped out of colleges ready to fight over whatever gigs are still out there. Could you get lucky? Sure. I know people who have been lucky enough to land big gigs with world-renowned artists but that is by far the exception and luck tends to play a huge role in such situations (there is no shortage of suitable players for any given gig). As for sessions, don't make the mistake of looking to pros who came up even as recently as the 90s or beginning of the 2000s because the session scene has changed significantly since then. Recording and producing? Same thing. Producers are a dime a dozen and studio downsizing has been the trend for the past while. If you're serious about wanting to explore the crumbling avenue of the music business then you need to get as informed as you can be. Read articles on the state of the industry and talk to people who actually work in it (as opposed to people who have impressions of it that may be drastically outdated and inaccurate).
Click to expand...
 
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#50
Maybe something of art/music business related major with a music minor .. ??

and what is Your definition of a Pro player .. ?? i played full time and music was my main source of income for a couple decades ... i considered myself a professional musician for that reason ... but a Pro with hit records ... No ... was i offered jobs with or did some work with folks who had hit records ... Yes ...

in the end , ... art/music will revolve around one's understanding of Business/Electronics ... if you want to make and keep track of your money/career .. !

and thinking of those who just " make it " ... probably a smaller percentage than those of us who have won the lottery ( previously posted ) ...

stay in school and learn as much as you can ... especially before your time and energy get sucked up by home ownership , family stuff , etc , etc ...
 
#51
Noah Shankool said:
I know this sounds like an extremely in-depth question to put on these forums but I really don't know who else to go to. I obviously love to play bass and just create art in general. But I have no idea what to do after high school. I would love to work in a recording studio, maybe even be a producer. I was looking into studying audio production and music but all art schools are extremely expensive. If I were to continue my schooling I'd only want to go to an art school. Even if I wanted to go to a regular college I don't have the grades to get into anything worth it. My questions for you are: Are there any affordable art schools? Are there better ways to study audio production than college? Should I skip schooling altogether? How does a bassist go pro? Are there any plans/ways that you know of that would get me successful through music? PLEASE SHARE!
Click to expand...

No matter what field you chose, education is expensive. The sad reality is that the majority of people who study music never make a living at it. If you are serious about working in a studio, you should find a good one in your area and see if you can work there part-time maybe even intern. Let them know that you are interested in learning production and are considering going to school to learn more. Even if all you do is clean up, empty trash and run errands at first, you will be making contacts which can help you in the future. You will also be in an environment in which you can learn from the people are mixing and producing.
 
#52
Two of the highest paid people I know didn't go to college. they each worked their butts off learning computer programming on their own time because they loved it. One works at google and the other owns his own IT company.
I went to college and got a degree in music history and theory. I intended to get a master's degree and teach, but by the time I was done with my bachelors I never wanted to see the inside of another school again. Now I fix copiers for a living. My wife just finished her master's in education and makes less than 40k a year working easily 60 hours per week.
 
#54
If you want to make money as an artist you need to learn about how to make money and how to manage it. Make sure some of your formal education includes basic business courses and maybe some accounting. It may sound boring and actually be boring but these are tools that will let you stay on top of things when others won't even know they are about to go under.
 
#55
I dropped out of college and quit my job at the gas station to go on the road. I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS. On the other hand, it was a great way to spend my late teens and young adult life into my 30's. Since then, a Plan B emerged and has paid the bills and made it easier to keep playing music when there seems to be less venues all of the time.
Whatever you decide, contribute to yourself and community and keep the music for a rich, full life. You can't go wrong.
 
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#59
My suggestion would be to try to get an internship at a recording studio, if that's a career you think you might be interested in. No better way to learn than to be there and see what everyone does and how they do it. You'll be the gopher but it's valuable experience, better than a big hole in your resume, and you'll make valuable connections in the industry if you're friendly and helpful to your coworkers and the musicians you meet.

If you do that for six months or a year, and like it, you can then apply to the appropriate university program with experience under your belt and connections that will help you land a job after you graduate. A good GPA is nice to have, but nothing will impress grad schools like actual experience in the career of your choice. Get a letter of recommendation from your supervisor and include that in your application materials.

Or, just go straight from the internship to a real paying job, if that's an option.
 
#60
bdwgml said:
Not sure what the requirements are for joining the military as a band member, but that might be an option.
There are a lot of educational benefits that go along with being in the military, both while you're in and after your term is served.
Click to expand...

For the elite service bands, doubling on upright and fender seems required, and killer reading skills. A lot of the folks holding those positions have Bachelor's degrees in performance before they audition. May well be looser for the second-level bands, but guessing that the better you play, the less likely that you end up in a bad situation after you sign up.
 
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