How do you do it?

[Urwordsbreakmed]

I just wanted to know how many people play for a living or as there main source of income. As of know I dont have a job or anything i just play but i want to play for a living.

 

[Figjam]

Have a job, and i just play for fun with my band,

 

[TSanders]

Went on the road for the first time when I was 15. Havent looked back since (7 years now). I have a part time job, and have the chance to play music primarily, and work when I need to.

 

[AnthonyD]

Playing with a group of guys for a hobby - and mostly for free!

 

[Colin]

I played professionally for 8 years in a duo. No money playing in a band but playing in a duo situation 4-5 nights a week in all inner city venues allowed me to live ok. I owned (and still do) the PA. I did burn out though (marriage breakup etc) and had a year off playing guitar. Now I have that hunger to play again and feel just like I did when I first started out. Great times but I don't miss the lugging in/out, being spoken to like an idot from club managers and all the drunken ....heads. If you can set some goals to achieve this and that's what you want, well what are you waiting for? Go for it!

Colin

 

[Alvabass]

I work as a music teacher in two universities in my town as my main job and also play with different bands as a support, which is good because I'm not signed as a full-time teacher and I don't get paid when on vacation, so June-July and December-January gigs are welcome. I'd like to play for a living, but it's very hard to think of it where I live.

 

[Psychicpet]

yep, diversification is the word!!
I teach bass privately and sub in on a few other courses at a local Bilble college music program, a handful of higher profile(aka good paying) gigs, little gigs, some sessions here and there and work part time in a local music shop(where I teach at as well) and do some on-call work at a mental health group home. Then there's the matter of my first CD... and oh ya, my wife is starting up her own business to be the Sugar Momma of the household so I'll finally get to devote some time and energy to "making a living" as a Jazz musician HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
we all know how to make a million bucks playing Jazz right?... start out with 2 million!

 

[phatduckk]

i ususally get free beer at shows
but this whole computer programming gig ive got is where i get money to buy gear

 

[Urwordsbreakmed]

i ususally get free beer at shows
but this whole computer programming gig ive got is where i get money to buy gear

Id rather they just give me money and not the beer i dont drink

 

[phatduckk]

Id rather they just give me money and not the beer i dont drink

the gigs ive play we usually walk away with a few $'s too ... but nothing youd be able to make any sort of living off. punk rock doesnt pay (unless your "famous" obviously) ... i figure i do this cuz i like it and no other reason, if people show up thats great ... and if they like it - well, thats just a bonus

 

[Urwordsbreakmed]

the gigs ive play we usually walk away with a few $'s too ... but nothing youd be able to make any sort of living off. punk rock doesnt pay (unless your "famous" obviously) ... i figure i do this cuz i like it and no other reason, if people show up thats great ... and if they like it - well, thats just a bonus

ya my friend is in a cover band and they only made 38 a person... but im sure the more fans you get the more merch is sold the more money you make... and then you can tour to out of state places and sale more stuff...

 

[pattiejay]

...but i want to play for a living...

playing for a living - sounds good...

but you know what's even better? playing for the glory of God
i do, and i've never looked back since...

 

[pattiejay]

98

 

[CloZer]

id be stuffed without my job's income but the band i play with put all our earnings into one account to pay for transportation, merchandise and promotion as well as various peoples wages that help us out. www.fulc.co.uk

Ive had to take hefty chunks of time off work after much arm twisting with the employer to tour hehe!

Id love to do it full time tho! Sleeping on the floor in an empty flat in Dresden, Germany for 2 weeks and giggin every night is the best thing ive ever done!

 

[Rhythmbug]

playing for a living - sounds good...

but you know what's even better? playing for the glory of God
i do, and i've never looked back since...

you mean playing for a church? Do they pay you?

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm old. It's a hobby for me that keeps me in beer and pays for some gear.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

The ages of our band members range from 49-51, and any time anyone mentions gigging, the rest of us slap him down with a reminder that someone's got to move the equipment. Been there; done that. No more. Strictly a hobby where we have an awesome rehearsal space and we bring in our own audience when we desire.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

I have a full time job, and just play for fun. Kind of like my 'golf', since I don't play golf. It's a hobby, and I have fun at it. Most of the money we make goes back into the band for equipment, costumes, fun stuff. I think I've been paid about $150 over the course of a couple of years in the band.

I don't mind. I'm not in it for the money, just the fun and the free peeks at titties occasionally.

 

[Mobay45]

I play mostly as a hobby, but we did release a CD recently and we do gig a couple of times a month. We all have regular day jobs. I am 50, my lead guitar/singer is 48, my rhythm guitar player is 44? and our drummer is in his mid twenties. We mostly played "drunk rock" a couple of times a month until about 2 years ago when I insisted that we get it together and start letting other people hear some of the music we had been writing. I don't mind just jamming, but what I really like is performing.

 

[AnthonyD]

...We all have regular day jobs. I am 50, my lead guitar/singer is 48, my rhythm guitar player is 44? and our drummer is in his mid twenties... I don't mind just jamming, but what I really like is performing.

Strictly a hobby where we have an awesome rehearsal space and we bring in our own audience when we desire.

Two statements I can totally connect with...

My cousin & I are the youngsters at 40 (he sings & plays guitar). We've got two other guitarists - one in his late 40's, the other is 52. Drums are handled by an Alesis SR-16.

For a couple of years we jammed casually amongst ourselves as a social thing, usually complete with good eats and drink. We'd invent opportunities for friends and family to partake in the festivities - backyard BBQ, dinner party, whatever - and recently all agreed that performing and sharing the music was a great high.

Now we're more agressive at creating opportunities to perform. We've got community centers that we can leverage and we plan to host our own socials. Local sponsored events have also proven eager... Especially at our going rate!

Always for free, and always for fun!