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I have participated in several conversations lately about the ability for one to make a living from music (i.e. most of your income is from playing gigs, selling recordings, etc). My belief is that most of us have 2 jobs - one as a musician and another part-time job to make ends meet. However, I have friends who think it is impossible.

Not impossible, but really really hard in this day and age. Gigs actually pay less than they did in the 70's and 80's, fewer venues as so many places would rather have kareoke or a DJ for entertainment. And the venues you can play at don't want to pay or only want to pay door and expect you to bring the crowd. The 2 people I know that make a living playing music, make much of their bank on teaching. It can be done though. Certain cover acts get paid a decent wage. Cruise line gigs, weddings, and the other corporate routes.

If I had to support myself with my musical " talents " I would starve.

Can I personally - no. Full time job pays the bills, music can make some cash to buy more guitars!
Can some people? yes. Unless one has the lucky combination of skills and opportunity, it is very difficult to make a good living at music, but one can do it by working multiple bands, giving lessons, etc.

The question it seems to me, is are you willing / able to spend your life traveling?

When I stopped being willing to do that I stopped assuming I could support myself (as I sometimes did) playing music.

lots of folks find a way though - play in two local bands, work in a music store - get insurance through the spouse etc. But don't you know it ain't easy...

Talbot

Why try and ruin a good thing by turning it into a job.

Jahva wrote:Why try and ruin a good thing by turning it into a job.

Yeah man !

Am I making a living as a musician ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAUNlO6-rlk

Yeah, the whole life on the road and live off of gig wages thing is behind. Gas is so expensive these days, you'd be lucky if the money from the show paid for your gas.

Now, it's pretty much just a matter of getting lucky. When you're young you feel like you're something special and it's just a matter of time before somebody sees you sparkling in the distance.

The only thing I've gotten from music is compliments. My payment is the enjoyment of it.

My job hasn't paid much.
But the retirement plan is Heaven . . .

SCReams wrote:Yeah, the whole life on the road and live off of gig wages thing is behind. Gas is so expensive these days, you'd be lucky if the money from the show paid for your gas.

Now, it's pretty much just a matter of getting lucky. When you're young you feel like you're something special and it's just a matter of time before somebody sees you sparkling in the distance.

The only thing I've gotten from music is compliments. My payment is the enjoyment of it.

From today's Bob Lefzits blog:


you were taught by your parents that you were great and if you just believed in yourself you would succeed, but this is categorically untrue.

And as stated earlier, success is dependent upon education and hard work, something that's abhorred in Snookiville. Today's wannabe musicians can make great YouTube videos and social network and spam you to death, but they rarely make great music.

This is something that's been evidenced by great musicians from John Lennon to Elton John to... They weren't blowhards, telling us they were great, it's just that they weren't all humble and touchy-feely, they radiated an inner strength we were drawn to, as opposed to a modern "musician" who drapes himself in diamonds and then declares bankruptcy.

And you always start off far from the radar screen. That's what today's wannabe musicians don't get. Recognition comes LAST! Be happy to play the gig most people don't go to, that's where you hone your chops.

And ask for more. This is what people hate about the Eagles, their confidence and their demands, their desire to do it their way. People would rather drag you down into the hole they're in, they want you to apologize and make like you're just like them.

Playing Seagoville tonight . . . who is John Lennon . . .

Here is an unpopular opinion. Without the chemistry of the Beatles, Lennon would have spent his life washing dishes in a London pub.

You can become wildly popular with so so music talent.

Just ask whoever wrote Achy Breaky Heart . . . BAH HUMBUG ...

"A job" is what you do to earn a living.

"Your Music" is what you do because it is a labor of love.

If you can cross the barrier, you are one of the lucky ones.
But selling out is a definite problem, unless you like doing weddings etc.

It's been paying my grocery and gas bills as of late though...

I find that there are season of life where we don't really see how this one connects to the next one, but every experience is building a tower on top of the past.

I've quit my "career" 3 times in my life. The last time was 1994-1997. It was my wife who encouraged me to do something with the songs I continued to write during that time. Having a support is very important, but once there was a little success, she was afraid and became my biggest obstacle. I had to wait for her though it felt like time was running out.

Anyway, I was 41 when I signed with a record label. That's unheard of!?

The point is that if you really concentrate (a skill lost) on making music people want or need, there is always a place for you.

And if you are trying to help someone with your God-given ability, there will be others who will help you do that. You won't see them or even know that they exist until the time comes that you are prepared and ready.

So it's always been a matter of faith. Real faith is preparing for something inevitable tomorrow which looks impossible today.



Here's a great article for anyone who knows they are called to be a musician full-time

http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/why-m ... _263105242



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