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Double Bass What to do when the work dries up?

darrenmccarthy

darrenmccarthy

Jun 1, 2011
85
16
#1
Hi , I'm experiencing a lull in work now summer is here - teaching has finished for a few months and for whatever reason I'm not as busy as I have been , I was wondering what my fellow professionals do with their time when the work isn't as plentiful ?
Sure, I could practice 8 hours a day but its hard to do such a thing when you are stressed about paying the bills.

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
darrenmccarthy said:
Hi , I'm experiencing a lull in work now summer is here - teaching has finished for a few months and for whatever reason I'm not as busy as I have been , I was wondering what my fellow professionals do with their time when the work isn't as plentiful ?
Sure, I could practice 8 hours a day but its hard to do such a thing when you are stressed about paying the bills.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Work in the garden!
 
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#3
Well...

Unemployment benefits aren’t much, but they are helpful. On top of that, any bs day gig is useful. It’s stressful being broke and trying to pay the bills. Another sad option is selling stuff and hustling in addition.

I understand, I’ve been there.
 
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#4
There is absolutely no shame in taking a day job or doing odd jobs just to pay the bills where you have to!

I always try to keep the following in mind:

- Do something that moves your musical life forward every day. This could be practice, advertising for new students, writing, etc.
- Try to do jobs that you get something out of other than money. Usually finding a gig where you meet new people or work on some nonmusical but helpful skill has worked for me in the past.
- Work on setting up new work and re-evaluate what you're doing while you have the time.
 
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#5
I'm not arguing but my life works differently: Instead of finding a day job that moves my musical life forward, I have built a career based in part on the strengths that make me an OK musician.

My training and experience as an improviser is an integral part of my approach to the practice of law. As I've found myself saying already twice this past week, "It's all about being prepared to grasp what the moment has to offer. Whether advocating for a client in court, making a ten-minute networking presentation or blowing over a jazz standard, it's all become the same thing to me now."
 
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#6
I'm not sure if this will be of any help but there are some jobs, particularly in the medical field, that allow for extreme flexibility. I know some people who only have to commit to one weekend shift a month to stay on the roster. When they want to they don't have much trouble getting 40-60 hours a week either. A lab tech where I work is a Grammy nominated guitarist.

The problem would be the schooling as these types of jobs require 2 years of community college and I'm not sure to what extent you could work around it when work is good. For per diem work, they make about $30-36 an hour. It's not great but it would be reliable.

Just thought I'd throw it out there. Sorry it is causing you stress.
 
#10
It has always seemed to me, "When one door closes....." When I was actually working as an independent contractor in L.A., it always seemed a good idea to have lots of varied musical contacts and relationships instead of relying on one set of people in a particular working group. This could include record companies, writers, publishers, recording and touring artists. Although I loved, and still do, playing with certain musicians, I never allowed myself to be part of a package deal. I believed, and still do, that it's better to stand on your own musical merits, accomplishments and resume. My 2 Cents. YMMV.
 
#13
I am sorry that work is slow. Find something you like and do it.

The county is taking frontage on my ranch and I am building fenceline alone by hand when not going to class. The exercise has really been good for me. I got bids starting around $6000and I am doing it for about $1400 plus lots of Gatorade. .
 
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