Question How many play music full-time? Day gig?

[CW Zing]

I started out with the aspiration of being a full-time bassist, going on tour, etc. It just didn't pan out, esp. when one needs to rely on three or four other bandmates who may or may not be on the same page musically or agenda-wise. Just a tough gig when your bandmates don't have the sac to disregard their own ego; I would come in to rehearsal with an idea and they've all got to go "their way or the highway..." frustrating.

I've got three or four full-length cds as souveniers of the 90's. I'll always have that! Most were recorded using my one and only SR5. It just fit the groove pocket like a good leather wallet...

Oh I drive a bus for Metro Transit in Seattle, and play once or twice a month doing classic rock covers. My next full-time band would have to be a jam band so we can get paid for noodling all night!

 

[SharonG]

I live to play. I play to live.

But I don't play for a living.

Well said. I gave gigging a half hearted try after college, but I did not have the confidence to go at it full tilt. Even so, it was an experience I am thankful for. My day gig is medicine. Like any job there are good days and bad, but I've always got music to bring me back to center. I am lucky enough to gig very regularly with one band made up of pros (I'm the hack) that is a whole lotta fun. I have to pinch myself sometimes - I can't believe I'm in with people that good! My other band is all original and gets together when real life allows, but the music comes from the soul. I like my day job enough to hang on to it, but the music is too much fun to pass up!

 

[tkarter]

My day gig pays for the fun I get to have in music that doesn't pay as well.

When the band fires up though I am in heaven. Even if it is 4 hours of covering those dreaded Skynyrd tunes.

tk

 

[Psycho Ward]

I played professionally for over thirty years, toured for twenty two. I came off the road about ten years ago to be a Dad.

Then I took up bass guitar for my mid-life crisis, (already had a convertible, still had my hair and couldn’t afford an affair), and I’m having a blast. I still play a lot, mostly as a keyboard/wind controller guy, but I limit my traveling for gigs.
My wife makes all the real money and I stay home with the kids, I took care of my parents till the end. I came home at the right time for my family I guess.

I love playing bass and EBMM basses are my main instruments. I wish I gigged more as a bassist, but I’m still a student of the bass, it’s a totally different function than where I came from.

... Plus I'm a King now, that's pretty cool!

 

[fidooda]

day gig: clicking refresh for www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/

night gig: mostly bass and some synth (after the little ones go to bed). My neighbors are still impressed the kids can sleep thru all my racket.

played mostly cover bands when i was younger, now it's pretty much only original material (last 3 years). I would love to play professionaly but i would have to practice a LOT more to achieve anything close to that. I now play around 5-7 concerts per year....i like that pace.

 

[Franky]

im tutoring high school children bass at the moment (in my spare time, when i have it)

my day job (if you can call it that) is a full time uni student studying contemporary music (where im playing for about 5 or 6 hours a day and then practicing about 2 hours).

so i guess that counts ?

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I used to gig full time with a band called Midnight Crystal. We made our first 7 million sellers in the 60's....but then I turned 14 (and woke up) . Actually, I'm an engineer by day. I do wish I had discovered lighter strings back in the 60's. I'm sure I would have played tons more. The music school I attended kept us in really heavy strings.....I think to toughen up our fingers. I don't think I ever saw anything lighter than a 13 high E string till this year.

jack

 

[heavychevy]

not a full time player, but I'm a self employed general contractor/ truck driver/ father of 2...so I pretty much whore myself out to make money! BTW, is this Jack (last poster) from NEMS?

 

[JimB52]

I think about music full time, but three kids and a big mortgage conflict with full time play for pay.
I'm a video editor at NFL Films to pay the bills.


Jim B

 

[Ole Man Blues]

I play mainly at our Church and play at other Church's on occasion. I play about 75 times a year. Not to mention hours of Church practice.

I drive a tractor-trailer for a living..........I'd much rather be gigging for a living....

OMB

 

[pe-arce]

Im currently finishing my Bachelor of Music majoring in Jazz bass (electric and upright). I have about a month and a half to go but for about the last year and a half I've been a full time musician outside of the study with anywhere from 3-9 gigs a week playing background jazz in bars/functions ect as well as with a couple of funk/soul bands around town playin to drunk punters. Also playing for a few solo artists here and there. When I've finished my degree i'll just continue playing gigs as im earning enough to support myself now. It's pritty sweet.

 

[ronnyG]

Currently my band (except our original drummer) and I moved to LA. No day gig..we just play. However we are broke since we are working on an EP and using studio drummers and friends until our orig drummer gets here (supposedly in Nov)..or...we find a suitable replacement.

Our producer and manager are pretty well connected so if things go right (it's all about the music, timing and a little luck) we should get a decent deal..however the process is slow. we have been selling off some gear we don't use to live on..but that is finite..eventually we will need day gigs..or play out at nights again if no cash flow comes in the next few months or so.

It's a bit of an adventure to say the least being the proverbial "starving musicians" and you do go hungry (we all are very skinny lol) but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd rather die pursuing my dream (but lets hope no one dies lol) then have money now and be trapped the rest of my life in a 9 to 5...but it's not too glamorous right now. We all share a 2br apt and half of one room is converted to a guitar workshop to maintain and mod our axes. As well we have no furniture..just equipment and chords everywhere.and one area converted to a photo studio to take pics of stuff to sell on evilbay and craigs. I currently sleep on the floor in the living room and at times wake up with an effects pedal digging into my face and tangled up in a chord..fun fun.

But as long as my MMSR is within arms reach (she sleeps on the floor next to me) then all is well. This life style will make for an interesting bio one day I can tell you that. As far as rehersal space we are fortunate there, we don't have to pay as our producer has a HUGE loft in Downtown LA we can use..and someone else we know in Hollywood let us set up a smaller rehersal space in the guest house.

 

[RobW]

I'm a video editor at NFL Films to pay the bills.


Jim B

cool, that sounds like it could be a real interesting job.

 

[ampegjoel]

Well -my story-ill start at the begining played bass since i was about 12 years old formal lessons for years -theory ect jazz ect-had enough formality around 20 21 -did the bar band -and the orig song band thing for a bit-never found anyone musiclay 100% or even close compadible --I didnt want to do this for a living -have a father who has been with a national act (key board player ) since around '70 -still going strong- on tour every year- lost count of the albums ---my point is -its a tuff road to hoe -seems cool its not that cool lot of work-dedication -finding some way in hell not to get board with it -and you sacrifice a "normal" life -anyway im a carpentry contractor-it pays the bills -dont hate it dont love it -after about 25 years -lol-yes i also play keys however -as a bass player migrated to them- i can hold my own usually i can get the right sound ( voicings) by accident-lol-and along with MM basses i like my vintage keyboards as well- so far as really making -playing for a living -you know most times its more luck than sheer talent and ability
By all means i dont want those to be discourging words if anyone reads this i mean go for it -make your opertunities try to get yourself in the right place at the right time -

 

[tkarter]

Well -my story-ill start at the begining played bass since i was about 12 years old formal lessons for years -theory ect jazz ect-had enough formality around 20 21 -did the bar band -and the orig song band thing for a bit-never found anyone musiclay 100% or even close compadible --I didnt want to do this for a living -have a father who has been with a national act (key board player ) since around '70 -still going strong- on tour every year- lost count of the albums ---my point is -its a tuff road to hoe -seems cool its not that cool lot of work-dedication -finding some way in hell not to get board with it -and you sacrifice a "normal" life -anyway im a carpentry contractor-it pays the bills -dont hate it dont love it -after about 25 years -lol-yes i also play keys however -as a bass player migrated to them- i can hold my own usually i can get the right sound ( voicings) by accident-lol-and along with MM basses i like my vintage keyboards as well- so far as really making -playing for a living -you know most times its more luck than sheer talent and ability
By all means i dont want those to be discourging words if anyone reads this i mean go for it -make your opertunities try to get yourself in the right place at the right time -

Interesting. I have done much the same outside the music world. I have a good day gig now. Not always.

No profession will be life long one unless you are lucky.

imho

tk

 

[JimB52]

cool, that sounds like it could be a real interesting job.

Rob, it sure can be, but, like most jobs, not as much fun as it used to be.


Jim B