General Music Chat

I once was an IV technician in a hospital. My favorite music teacher is an OB-GYN who started a music/arts school in Ohio.

Joseph, sometimes you gotta take a leap of faith. This country has been hi-jacked with insecurity. This is easy for me to say since I have a husband to support me financially. But if I were in the boat that you are in, I would go toward my passion. You could teach music on the side or do something to earn a little income to put food on the table and pay the bills. I think that you should indeed follow your passion.

http://www.billymacmusic.com use this for inspiration.

Joseph
You are far, far ahead of me. You already have a CD, you have produced your own songs, you not only play it all but sing as well.

The question is really financial. Correct? Suppose you had a million dollars in your bank account, you would have gone for the band, would you not?

To quote your own song: "do the best you can with what you got"

The answer I am waiting for is whether or not it makes sense to sign up with a label at this point. I am waiting for that answer because I have never got to the level of signing up.

The musicians can be hired. I see plenty of ads on Craigslist where musicians do anything for hire. They will play Marry had a little lamb twice the speed and backwards if you pay them. (Something I struggle with to this day)

Would it be beneficial at this point to seek a manager?

I ask this because I really have no idea about music industry as a business.

Thank you all...it helps to have access to people that understand the situation (which is why I like this site so much-back to the original point)!

SP, you are absolutely right (although I was hoping to have somebody to blame when I screw it up! Jus' kiddin'!). The toughest thing for me is just having the jahones to do what I need to do. I've always been "The safe guy", but now I'm watching time and oppurtunities slip away...

Kramerguy, thst story sounds really familiar...it seems like I've always sacrificed my desires for a job that I really didn't believe in...and you are right about the financial end, too. One of the things that's really stressing me at this point is that, between my girlfriend and I, we are more or less financial secure. I feel confident that I could work a part time job and still live comfortably. Knowing that, the fact that I stay at this job (and put off my music) is like a needle in my brain!

Black57, I really do appreciate the input. Sometimes, just having someone say "go for it" can be an added boost.
My chick and I are doing our budget as we speak. Hopefully, I can get this ball rolling this year!!

Black57, I really do appreciate the input. Sometimes, just having someone say "go for it" can be an added boost.
My chick and I are doing our budget as we speak. Hopefully, I can get this ball rolling this year!!

Joseph, that is exactly why I said what I said. I know that sometimes we need to be given direct permission to do what is in our hearts. You will be fine.

Joseph
You are far, far ahead of me. You already have a CD, you have produced your own songs, you not only play it all but sing as well.

The question is really financial. Correct? Suppose you had a million dollars in your bank account, you would have gone for the band, would you not?

To quote your own song: "do the best you can with what you got"

The answer I am waiting for is whether or not it makes sense to sign up with a label at this point. I am waiting for that answer because I have never got to the level of signing up.

The musicians can be hired. I see plenty of ads on Craigslist where musicians do anything for hire. They will play Marry had a little lamb twice the speed and backwards if you pay them. (Something I struggle with to this day)

Would it be beneficial at this point to seek a manager?

I ask this because I really have no idea about music industry as a business.

Me personally, I would not hire an agent or sign with a label. To me, you will end up doing all the work and they will pocket all the money. You can record your own CD and employ a recording engineer who needs the cash. Be your own agent by going from one establishment to another peddling your wares.

AlexanderN,
Sorry, I didn't ignore you-you must have posted while I did...you are right-I should listen to myself more often!

I think a manager is a good idea, as long as you can find a reliable one (and I don't know how you can tell). An experienced manager can help you get where you need to be-to build a following, get gigs, airplay, etc.

You guys already know I hung up the full time RN job for my sanity.
oops, too late
There is not a damned thing wrong with arranging around your musical asperations. Thamk God my Jeanette supports me the way she does. As I progress in the musical realm I will have to rearrange. And I will.

Some people live to work. I work to live.

I think this is the coolest thread i have ever seen on here, not that I have been here verry long "I HAVNT". I have had a full time job since I was 15 and its hard to focus on a full time carer and focus enough time and efort on the greatest pashion in my life. The music has always kept me sain in the worst times in my life. Even when I was completly and uterly lost in drugs,booze. I feel like it help me reach the other side of that part of my life. So as for your ?, If you can manage it do it. Im 42 now and evry day I say to myself I can still get to my dreams.PEACE. "MUSIC ITS WHAT MOVES MY WORLD, WITHOUT IT THERES NO ME"

Well thanks SP, but I really haven't achieved much success, but what I have done, I consider to have achieved well beyond anything I ever dreamed of actually achieving just two years ago. What I've achieved in reality is just getting into a project that shows a lot of potential to be more than just local. It could fizz out, become unsustainable (tour regionally or nationally, yet not pay enough), but whatever happens, I'm glad I wouldn't let the naysayers get to me (this time) and went for it, worked my ass off learning and practicing, and on my scale of 'success' it paid in volumes.

I can't encourage enough for people to ignore the negative and embrace the possibilities, set achievable goals, and then MAKE them happen.

So the question is: Should I keep the music a sideline hobby, even though I obsess about it night and day, or should I find another job to supplement my income, make more time for my passion-and sacrifice those precious benefits in the process?

I don't expect any direct answers, I'm just looking for opinions.



Boy this is one hot topic, I’d like to chime in if you will, I know people with dreams don’t like naysayers but there is a fine line between a naysayer and a realist.

It’s safe to say that most of us can identify with Joseph’s predicament, some of us have been there done that, other will when their time comes.

Joseph talks in terms of passion when relates his feelings for the music, a passion is a powerful force which requires actions but before acting up it is wise to ponder on few things, first one has to define his/her goal and the variables involved in reaching them. For a solo act there are fewer variables involved he or she has to assess the financial situation, transportation, equipment, promotional material and most importantly the material or songs if they are of a quality good enough to built upon.

For an act that requires personnel, like a band, roadies etc. the situation becomes more complicated , there are more questions to be answered such as; do the band mates share the same level of commitment and if so are they in the ideal financial and family ( if any) situation to allow them to see the project for the duration.

We all know how volatile a group or band can be, this is one more aspect that needs to be factored in addition to the other factors listed above.

Joseph if you trust the material you write, your band mates and have enough financial resources to carry you for a while, I’d say go for it but first I'd try to get as many gigs possible until you can replace your job income with the music income or close to it, while doing that include your originals in your song list and study the reaction of the people, if they like them in one venue chances are those songs will be liked in others.

Of course have your CD's at gigs and try to sell as many as possible and maybe in time add posters of the band and some other merchandise items, don't forget between sets and at the end of the gig to mingle with people be as congenial as possible, lastely promote yourself, try to generate a buzz for the band even if you have to exagerate a bit.

While you are trying to promote your artistic side remember is the financial aspect that determines success.

Good Luck

Joseph, this is just my opinion so take it for what it is worth.

The reality of music is its a very hard way to make a true living at. I know a few guys and play music is all they do for a living and they are squeezed to get guitar strings sometimes. I know cause Ive helped a few of them with equipment issues over the years.

I think it would be prudent on your part to maintain some sort of job that gives you health insurance and a decent wage and keep your passion as a serious hobby. The job you have may be too time consuming and having a girlfriend who supports you in this is a great thing.

More than likely your musical career will never produce enough money to be self sufficient. I know this sounds negative but I think its a reality that must be faced. I play in a very active band that gets paid to play 3-5 times a month, which is all the other members want to do, but even if we ramped it up and played 5-6 nights a week, it wouldnt make enough money to keep everyone happy.

I think if you can approach it as a solo/acoustic act you can generate more income. The single/duos in my area get 150-300$ per night, while our band is only covering $100 a man per night, sure we have some shows that get more than that, but $100 a man is about all a local act can expect to do.

Touring even regionally can cost a lot of money. Our singer and bassist were in an original act a couple of years ago that had an oppurtunity to do a regional tour for 9 weeks. He talked to me about it for a 5 piece band and one roadie. They needed to generate $7500 a week to make it break even. Like an above post, one of the members had a very good job and couldnt do it so the whole deal fell apart.

I love bands but you have to make sure the members are on the same page and want the same thing or you will find yourself at square one real quick. Im lucky that i have band mates that kinda want the same thing I do, thats to make good music, entertain an audience and have fun.

Good Luck at whatever you do!

But before you make some major change, do your numbers first. If you cant make it work on paper, then it probably wont work in real life.

Great answers guys.

I think the key to the question (for joe) is simply to assume that if you decide to do music full-time, you in all likelihood not be able to generate the revenue necessary to support yourself in the venture; and that's especially relevant when you have a family or s/o who will have to bear the burdens.

I've personally never even considered quitting my day job, but approached it from the perspective of "how can I make a break for it, and not lose my job / security?", so I make every decision now very carefully, and wouldn't drop the day job unless the opportunity was absolutely profitable - and long term.

Why so many are content to play locally and keep their day jobs is simple: You get to practice, gig, play by your own rules for the most part, and the extra $$ you do earn playing shows enables you to either pad your current budget to help the ends meet, or you can re-invest in new gear (toys!).

I've personally struggled with that one the most, make a go for it and be broke, or be content with the local scene and just have fun? I haven't really made any solid decisions, but kind of taking it as it comes..

The best part of it all is that music is now a staple in my life and I'm a lot happier person because of it.

I agree with jw123 100% (as usual) but I think everyone who has some original music should at least try to produce their own CD eventually and sell it at gigs and on the internet. You don't have to do it all at once. Whenever you get a good song or two record it and when you get enough songs put out a CD. You can still play gigs part-time, keep your day job (hopefully in ths shi*ty economy) and then have another part-time job promoting your own music. That's my immediate goal in music. At this point I'm not interested too much in part-time gigging. I'd rather concentrate on originals and do some more recording. My two cents...