• 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.

What to do with my life?

BassNoobSuomi

BassNoobSuomi

Guest
Jun 9, 2012
317
270
Jyväskylä. Finland
#1
Ok, just want to say this first. Most threads i've started here on talkbass have been whining or asking what to do. But i'm 15, so it's sort of comes naturally from me right now (Sorry).

So, Here's the deal. I've got one year left until i have to learn a trade so i can make a living. But i don't really give a fraction of a rat's arse about anything other than music right now. And my parents are constantly preaching financial responsibility on me.

I really don't want to end up doing something that i dislike, or am simply unintrested in. Call me closed-minded, but right now, i only want to do music. But it seems like it's practically impossible to make a living through music unless i move somewhere with an active music scene, and take every gig i can wether i like it or not.

Am i an idiot for not wanting to do anything else, Or should i go for it?

Sorry for rantyness and the wall of text. But i've been losing sleep over this...
 
#2
Yes you are!

Finish school, get a job and work to advance yourself. If you choose to ignore the advice of others, then at least have the decency to not make others support you as you get older. If you choose to be financially irresponsible, then live with the consequences and don't sponge off society when you are hungry or need a place to live.
 
#5
msact said:
Yes you are!

Finish school, get a job and work to advance yourself. If you choose to ignore the advice of others, then at least have the decency to not make others support you as you get older. If you choose to be financially irresponsible, then live with the consequences and don't sponge off society when you are hungry or need a place to live.
Click to expand...

Yeah, But the tought of doing something i am completely un-intrested in, and music becoming just a hobby is just depressing. My final goal is to be financially stable, but still do something i'm even marginally intrested in. The only thing i'm really intrested in happens to be music. I know it's irresponsible. but i feel that if i don't go for it i'll end up sitting on the couch eating cheap noodles and watching re-runs of krappy sitcoms, with no motivation to get out of bed at morning other than not getting yelled at by my boss.

I know it seems like a stupidly pessimistic and cynicalthing to say, However i know myself well enough that i know how easily i fall into that "Why bother" mindset.

Not trying to object anyhing you said, All of it made sense to me. Just trying to Explain what's going on in my brain right now.
 
#7
msact said:
Well, you are only 15. When you are in your 30's and need to support a family you will feel differently about things.
Click to expand...

That's what my parents are telling me, but i'm not really the type to start a family (He said confidently). If you have a family to support, a job that pays well, and are happy with your life in general. I'm happy for you. But my brain is wired differently. (What a wierd thing to say.)
 
#8
Don't worry about offending me. You asked a question and got an honest answer from someone who has been around the block many many times. As I said, if you choose not to take the advice of those older and wiser then don't go looking for others to support you later on if things don't pan out.

BTW, your parents sound like very wise people. You should listen to them.
 
#10
msact said:
Don't worry about offending me. You asked a question and got an honest answer from someone who has been around the block many many times. As I said, if you choose not to take the advice of those older and wiser then don't go looking for others to support you later on if things don't pan out.

BTW, your parents sound like very wise people. You should listen to them.
Click to expand...

I know, i respect them for that. (as well as for being the reason for my existenc)
It's very clear that you are a smart person, and that you really want to help. I just don't want to end up not having anything to be happy of other than the fact that i'm financially stable. I'm considering a couple of jobs that seem somewhat intresting, but i really want another view on this whole situation.

msact said:
Finish school
Click to expand...

Just noticed these two lines, I have no choice in terms of finishing school. here in finland everyone has a legal responsibility to get the basic education. 9 years of school. i'm on the last one


msact said:
If you choose to be financially irresponsible, then live with the consequences and don't sponge off society when you are hungry or need a place to live.
Click to expand...

The tought of having to sponge off others and not being able to survive without the constant support of others almost disgusts me. Even now when i'm living with my parents i do my best to be as independent as possible.
 
#11
Your brain is not wired differently. You're not different. You're the typical teenager, and I'm not saying it pejoratively. Go to school, work on music on the side. When you have a degree to back you up and out of the way, get more into music. Trust me, I sang the same song a few years back and wished I went through with the degree. (Says a full time accounting student, 30 years old).
 
#13
If everyone did the exact occupation that they wanted, the world would shut down because there'd be a lot of professional video game testers, models, rock stars, and actors. Most of them would be unbearably bad at their occupation and we'd have no one left to ensure that everyone had food, shelter, healthcare, and security.

Since I know that big picture's not going to have much juice with you, here's another angle...

You're not going to like every aspect of being a professional musician. There's a ton of networking, marketing, dealing with idiots and the unscrupulous, playing the music that other people want, and all that while fighting to just survive on the lousy, inconsistent pay.

Find a career that you can stand more than the crappy parts of being a musician and continue to do just the parts you do like about music.

If I could do it over again, I would consider going to dental school. Those guys make six figures working three and a half days a week. That leaves plenty of time and money for all the music and gear you want.
 
#14
[DEL]Accidents[/DEL] Children happen.....

Many of the people I gigged with in my teens have fallen by the wayside due to family/job pressures.
There are few (at least in this town) who make a successful career out of doing nothing but playing music.
Most have learned a skill or a trade that will allow them to pursue their passion.
There's a lot to be said for having the money to be able to buy the tools to further your musical dreams.
Rather doubt your parents will be down with:
"I don't want to get a job, here's my $5000 gear list."
My parents were fully supportive of me being a musician, but I did have to slog along
doing boring stuff like a job till I hit the point where the bulk of my income was generated by music related things.

Having a family is a real eye-opener.
 
#15
hypapanuse said:
OMG I though you said wife.
Click to expand...
:eek: So did I at first!! :p

Live your life. YOUR life. Not your parent's life. If you love music and that is all you want to do then study it.. Study it thoroughly and stay focused on the music. Work hard at it and don't get distracted by women, or drugs, or partying.. I am not saying don't have a relationship or ever let your hair down.. but stay focused on music. Don't get fixated on one aspect of music.. as in say just playing.. look at the business end.. look at the technical end.. If music is all you want to do then go for it.. Go for it now while you are young and you have the time and the stamina to make adjustments along the way. There are ways to make a living in the music business if you look at the entirety iof the music business. If you are fortunate and you get in with a group of people that you can work with and you can earn a living solely by playing great.. it does happen... but consider that you may have to supplement things by working a 8 hour job.. If you do then try to find one that is in or close to the music business.. It is doable.. but it will take work. It is always good to have a backup plan.

Figure out what you like to do, what you are good at doing, combine the two and mix in a very liberal dose of hard work and try to make a career out of that. Success is never guaranteed in anything, but is more likely if you use that formula. First you have to finish school. At 15 I can tell you that the next 2-3 years anything can happen.. but if you want to do music then consider going to uni for it.. Try to begin to prepare yourself from this moment on for that. Music scholarships? Research it.. go for it. I tell you what .. in any career having a degree does not hurt. One of the best keyboardists I have ever had the privilege to play with worked his way through college playing music. Think outside the box.. but plan your work.. and work your plan and most importantly have a plan.
 
#16
Unrepresented said:
If everyone did the exact occupation that they wanted, the world would shut down because there'd be a lot of professional video game testers, models, rock stars, and actors. Most of them would be unbearably bad at their occupation and we'd have no one left to ensure that everyone had food, shelter, healthcare, and security.

Since I know that big picture's not going to have much juice with you, here's another angle...

You're not going to like every aspect of being a professional musician. There's a ton of networking, marketing, dealing with idiots and the unscrupulous, playing the music that other people want, and all that while fighting to just survive on the lousy, inconsistent pay.

Find a career that you can stand more than the crappy parts of being a musician and continue to do just the parts you do like about music.

If I could do it over again, I would consider going to dental school. Those guys make six figures working three and a half days a week. That leaves plenty of time and money for all the music and gear you want.
Click to expand...

Ok. I propably will try to get a job, I'd just need to find something i care about. but i'm really hoping to hear from at least one person who supports option A. Even if i end up doing the responsible thing.

As a side note, Most the jobs i've been considering (Wich still don't intrest me) would basically require me to deal with idiots, and i'd be also doing the things that profit the majority.

Also, That big picture that you just described is basically the main reason i'm really struggling with this. I want to do both, but i can only do one: Get a job and be responsible, or Pursue music, and follow my heart. (Sounds cheesetastic, i know.)

I don't want to retire early and make stupid big money, I just want to make enough money to live on my own. And have a little to money to spare.
 
#17
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

450px-Maslow%27s_Hierarchy_of_Needs.svg.png


Plan accordingly.
 
#19
nojj said:
[DEL]Accidents[/DEL] Children happen.....
Click to expand...
I'm not exactly a ladies man. Heck i've turned down around 3 girls due to the fact that i'm not intrested in a relationship of any type. While I'm not exactly asexual, just don't need anyone in my life.


nojj said:
Rather doubt your parents will be down with:
"I don't want to get a job, here's my $5000 gear list."
Click to expand...
(That's some seriously sig-worthy material.)

I'm pretty much gas-free right now. And my Janky-arse rig gets plenty loud enough for gigging.
 
#20
Find something that you are good at academically and maximize that skill. Get a job in that field, work hard, have a good attitude (this might be the most difficult part) and opportunities to do other things will come to you. If you are good at what you do and have a positive attitude the world will open up to you. If you go into life assuming that you are surrounded by idiots, you are going to have a very difficult time.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back