• 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?

#41
If nothing interests you maybe that's just inexperience. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I graduated high school. I didn't really know what working was like outside from a stint of saying 'would you like fries with that'.

I'll say this much, if you don't want to amuse idiots for the rest of your life find a good trade. You want to get as far away from being a fry cook as possible. The more skilled and less replaceable you are the less BS you have to entertain.

Doing both makes sense to me. What exactly precludes gigging every week and holding down a day job? Some jobs even make touring feasible.
 
#42
BassNoobSuomi said:
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...
Click to expand...

If you love to play, go to school, learn to read, get in a band and write. Pick up some work as a session player. As a middle-aged tradesman I can tell you that it's a trap. No benefits or climbing the "ladder". You are stuck there for the rest if your life unless you start your own business but that's a different animal. It's too late for me but you should just do what you love or you'll just be "running out the clock" on your life.
 
#43
BassNoobSuomi said:
It's that, or 3 months of prison or public service. (I'm not kidding, dude)
Click to expand...

Haha. I had a German friend who'd been living in the states for years. He was pretty shocked when he got his draft letter one day. He'd forgotten about that.

Think about which trades will give you flexibility to be a musician. Some will, some won't. Look into it.
 
#45
Rickenmonster said:
You are stuck there for the rest if your life unless you start your own business but that's a different animal. It's too late for me but you should just do what you love or you'll just be "running out the clock" on your life.
Click to expand...

That's the exact thing i'm afraid of. I'm trying hard to try convince myself to go for it. But i'm just as afraid of ending up as a mooch, Having to sponge of other people just so i can eat.
Btw: I'v already "written" about 20-ish songs thanks to my lack of things to do around the house. (I've actually gotten only half of it on paper thanks to mt limited knowledge of theory)
 
#47
BassNoobSuomi said:
That's the exact thing i'm afraid of. I'm trying hard to try convince myself to go for it. But i'm just as afraid of ending up as a mooch, Having to sponge of other people just so i can eat.
Btw: I'v already "written" about 20-ish songs thanks to my lack of things to do around the house. (I've actually gotten only half of it on paper thanks to mt limited knowledge of theory)
Click to expand...

Regardless of what you do with your life, do yourself a favor and shake off the cynicism. It's a very destructive trait. If you carry that into the real world, it can only lead to trouble. You will go much further with a good attitude and a positive outlook. Whether it's school or work, look around you and find those people who you can learn from. A poor attitude will eventually lead to bouncing from one thing to the next in life because people will not want to be around you.

As for having a purpose in this life, I am of the belief that there is a bigger purpose behind everything. It's not always easy to see and often question why horrible things happen. I always try to look for the good things even when things look bad. I am speaking here from experience. My wife died earlier this year and now I am alone raising my kids. I am not angry about this because I feel blessed to have two wonderful daughters. Also, I know that one day we will all be reunited in gods kingdom.

Again, no matter what you decide to do, give it your all and bring a positive outlook. People will respond positively if you do this.
 
#50
My advice?

Forget going to college to learn moire about playing the bass. Go to college to learn business. Most musicians/artists I meet struggle more with biz concepts than their art. Learn the biz side and you'll probably be fine, regardless of the path you pursue later.
 
#52
msact said:
Regardless of what you do with your life, do yourself a favor and shake off the cynicism. It's a very destructive trait. If you carry that into the real world, it can only lead to trouble. You will go much further with a good attitude and a positive outlook. Whether it's school or work, look around you and find those people who you can learn from. A poor attitude will eventually lead to bouncing from one thing to the next in life because people will not want to be around you.

As for having a purpose in this life, I am of the belief that there is a bigger purpose behind everything. It's not always easy to see and often question why horrible things happen. I always try to look for the good things even when things look bad. I am speaking here from experience. My wife died earlier this year and now I am alone raising my kids. I am not angry about this because I feel blessed to have two wonderful daughters. Also, I know that one day we will all be reunited in gods kingdom.

Again, no matter what you decide to do, give it your all and bring a positive outlook. People will respond positively if you do this.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear about the tragedy in your life, but very much appreciate your positive attitude regarding matters.
 
#53
To the O.P. . . . really, the fact that you're posting about these things at age 15 is not as bad a sign as some are making it out to be. There are plenty of people my age (42 this month) and above who are asking "What to do with my life?" (or "wife," as the case may be). For now I'd say keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities that come your way, and keep your mind open to opportunities that may not directly tie to music.
 
#54
Learn a trade, I suggest electrician, plumber, or carpenter as they will always be in demand. Apprentice under someone that is very good at what they do, start your own business after getting your ticket and working for that person for a few years. While you do this, play a lot of music, play in bands ect. You can easily make enough money doing house calls, which are generally easy and small jobs that pay well, and have enough time to play music on the side. If you hit it big in music while you do it, even better; chances are that you wont, but you will make a good living.

lowsound
 
#55
BassNoobSuomi said:
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.
Click to expand...


Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that's life. The harsh reality is that if you bank on being one of the few who only plays music for a living, there's a much greater chance of you living on the street .

Get an education first, you're only 15. Trust me, that's not old by any measure (unless you were a dog or cat). Relax, enjoy this time in your life. You may think it's taking forever, but not long from now you'll be looking back in awe of how fast it went by.

Like many here, I've been around a few times. When I was your age (I'm 40 now) I had stars in my eyes too. I was going to be a famous bass player, never going to marry or have kids. Well, I'm not famous. I don't play music for a living. I've been married for five years to my soulmate, and we're talking about having kids.

Never say never. Your mind, like your body won't be 15 forever, and things are going to change more than you can imagine right now.

Get a trade or something that will pay the bills and make you some money to live on. There's always weeknight / weekend gigs, and if you're good enough, you could teach on the side too.

Adult life is all about compromise and sacrifice. You're likely going to have to do a lot of things you don't like or even hate in life to get by. But again, that's life.
 
#56
To the OP you are only fifteen and thinking about it which is good. Keep your grades up,
it's not that hard. If your parents are paying your way through school or you get scholarships, you should take advantage of that free ride. But if you have no backing......
ignore the naysayers and go for it, they're just pissed because they couldn't make it happen.
But you better start pimping now, clock is ticking. You need to start making contacts....
If you fail, go to college and become indebted at a terrible interest rate for a huge portion of your life ( at least if you are a us citizen).
Do you happen to have any famous relatives?
 
#57
BassNoobSuomi said:
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.
Click to expand...

Since when is studying music irresponsible? You're 15 - why are you worrying about what to do if and when you have a family? Live now.

My advice is, if you're going to do it, do it full on. Don't worry about what may happen - make it happen. You'll always have time to get it together if need be.
 
#58
I'm 18 now, and I remember when I was 15 heaps of my friends wanted to do various things they would never even consider now we're about to leave school.

Just keep your mind open. If it comes to crunch time and you still only want to do music? Meh, do it. People do manage to make a living off it.

But limiting yourself now is a poor idea.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back