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Why do you like to play?

What’s MOST important to you - performing, making money, or playing music you lik

  • Being on Stage (the high from performing)

    Votes: 78 36.3%

  • Making Money (show me the money).

    Votes: 9 4.2%

  • Because you like writing/creating music.

    Votes: 97 45.1%

  • Because you like making music as a hobby

    Votes: 31 14.4%
  • Total voters
    215
#41
bassybill said:
For me, performing music that I like in front of a good crowd for money is the reason I do it. I can't really separate those factors, they're all important to me and I couldn't pick one over the others, except maybe to say that I wouldn't enjoy performing stuff I didn't like. Luckily I like a wide range of stuff and so all sorts of gigs meet my needs in that respect.
Click to expand...

Really dig into your inter self, and try to separate the two and vote - thanks.
 
#42
ChrisB2 said:
I thought about it seriously, and the options just don't work for me. I love to play live music that people enjoy with a group I enjoy playing with, and getting paid for it. So I guess all three rolled into one??? No one single element is more important than the others, they're all interconnected.
Click to expand...

I know it’s not easy - but, pick just one anyway and vote. Thanks.
 
#44
Art matters to me. When younger, it was about doing my own art. In middle age, it is about doing artsy interpretations of what's popular for fun and profit. I promised myself to be ready to leave it all behind, at 50, if I am ready, and want to. I turn 49 in August. The party ain't over, yet.
 
#45
My vote is creating/writing music, just playing music would be just fine as well. I think I would still play even if I knew no one would ever hear me again. I've learned to enjoy performing and being on stage, I was not natural at it. Having people cheer is more like validation of them getting what I am trying to say musically. Money would be a nice part of that equation, another form of validation, plus you kind of need money to eat.
 
#46
I play music because I find it to be the most enjoyable way to make a living of all the other methods I've tried. I don't have to get up early in the morning. I have lots of time to practice. I get to travel to other states and sometimes other countries playing for enthusiastic audiences. Being a musician still works for me and there is nothing I would rather do after 45 years in the business.
 
#48
LordRyan said:
I play music because I find it to be the most enjoyable way to make a living of all the other methods I've tried. I don't have to get up early in the morning. I have lots of time to practice. I get to travel to other states and sometimes other countries playing for enthusiastic audiences. Being a musician still works for me and there is nothing I would rather do after 45 years in the business.
Click to expand...

With all the hired guns, teachers and etc, I'm somewhat surprised "Money" isn't getiing more votes.

Thanks for the comment and hopefully vote.
 
#50
For me, ultimately it's the "High" I get from being onstage.

I really do enjoy playing music with my bandmates, they are my friends so I do like that as well.
I like to think money is there to pay me for all the crap that goes along with being onstage i.e. being my own roadie.
 
#52
If anything I'd have more than those reasons, in this order:

1. Playing music, for the sake of just playing and (eventually) creating. To me, little human inventions and endeavors are as awesome as creative ones (especially the artistic ones)... and music happens to be the greatest artistic outlet for me.

1. (tied) Being onstage. Eventhough I'm a rookie in that department, I KNOW I want to be up there performing. All I need right now is to join a working band that already has some gigs. Maybe hard, but attainable.

2. Catharsis. There are few (if any) activities I have this passion for, and plenty of times when I play I feel very relieved from everything. If I didn't have music as a hobby, I'd be pretty screwed by now.

3. Meeting like-minded people I can mingle and socialize with. I'm a lone wolf and music gives me a social outlet I feel comfortable in. Not with everyone, of course, but with more than any other social environment (extended family included).

4. (Maybe) Making some cash on the side would be nice, but if I only play for free, I wouldn't mind too much unless the venue owners make a lot of cash BECAUSE of my band.

5. (Maybe) I'd like to find myself involved in and surrounded by a tasty musical scene with cool people as long as it is healthy (maybe like classic rockers without the drugs, or something quite bohemian-like... and never like the Norwegian black metal scene!)


P.S. I was thinking if anyone (in all seriousness) plays music mainly because they want the hot groupies... If they happen, it would be a nice plus; hey, it's healthy to be honest ;)
 
#53
Clef_de_fa said:
Because as a teen it kept me away from drugs, I have something to do/learn in which I could express myself etc. So I devoted a lot of years and countless hours doing scales, exercise, theory, harmony, solfege, history and of course learn to play and reproduce what is on the sheet infront of me.

I like so much to just practice and see that I improve.
Click to expand...

True, and I add this other reason to my (already long) list. I enjoy some ways of practicing, I don't enjoy much some other ways... but when the cumulative effect of that practice shows in improved technique, theoretical and practical knowledge, musicianship, etc. ... it makes me feel very satisfied and proud to call myself a musician and know I'm becoming a better one.
 
#57
I got into playing because I wanted to be the bass player at my church (a position I still occupy).

Separate from that? Making music I like with people whose company I enjoy. Figuring out a song and then hearing my contribution to the song mesh with everyone else's.

I haven't played a lot of gigs, paid or otherwise, but I'm hoping that will change soon.
 
#59
No carrot option, couldn't vote.

I like the connections you get while playing music. It can be about firing your own synapses whilst playing alone, connecting with an audience, connecting with other musicians, connecting with the universe and channelling the music...

Had a great jam last night where the musicians and audience were really grooving off each other and there were a few moments where ...

"Wow! Did I really just play that? That was awesome!"


Yeah, it's about being inspired.

I voted
 

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