Coming to terms with Reality...

[_tom_]

you could probably make a decent argument for doing a job which you don't loathe (i.e. you can do it without wanting to top yourself at the end of every day and quite enjoy it) but which isn't one of your main hobbies either. And obviously which is pretty secure and reasonably well-paid too. and which lets you still do your hobbies in your spare time.

I'm kind of doing this and it's good but work still does become a bit of a chore especially on the slower shifts. Still hoping for something a bit more exciting to come along but things are working out ok so far :)

I think I realised I'd probably never "make it" when I was about 18. Mainly because of a lack of good local musicians other than guitarists! Still trying to get a band going this year though because I reckon with a good singer we could actually make at least one decent album with everything I've written helped by the input of other musicians!

[gwEm]

its a tough one, i never thought that i would ever earn proper money as a musician.. except maybe very early on when i was scr@ping it by as a drum'n'bass DJ.

so for me, its always been for fun, and what great fun it is too! as others have said you might even enjoy your playing and gigs more now the pressures off.

theres nothing like writing a few new tunes, or drinking deep from the goblet of rock on stage. in a way, if you like that stuff, then the money isn't important at all.

a bit of post-gig interest from the young ladies is always good for the confidence too, and you don't need to get paid for that either!

[TheyCallMeVolume]

its a tough one, i never thought that i would ever earn proper money as a musician.. except maybe very early on when i was scr@ping it by as a drum'n'bass DJ.

so for me, its always been for fun, and what great fun it is too! as others have said you might even enjoy your playing and gigs more now the pressures off.

theres nothing like writing a few new tunes, or drinking deep from the goblet of rock on stage. in a way, if you like that stuff, then the money isn't important at all.

a bit of post-gig interest from the young ladies is always good for the confidence too, and you don't need to get paid for that either!

One of the lucky few!

I like your new profile pic by the way. Great action shot!

[dave_mc]

I'm kind of doing this and it's good but work still does become a bit of a chore especially on the slower shifts. Still hoping for something a bit more exciting to come along but things are working out ok so far :)

oh yeah i mean there are negative aspects to everything.

[PhilKing]

When I was 18 I went on a tour of the US Forces bases in Germany for 3 months and we were then returning with the chance of supporting Sweet on their UK tour (this was back in 1972).  I thought that I was going to make money out of music but then the reality hit, the band split because 3 months on minimum wage and living out of the van brings out all the personality differences.  I had to get a real job and then I played in a few semi-pro & cover bands.  I worked in music retail for about 3 years, which let me see what my life would be like if I didn't change (no offence meant to anyone who is making their living from music, but some of the guys who worked the working men's club circuits for a living back then would put anyone off!).  So I finally pulled my finger out and got a real career in IT.

I haven't lost interest in playing and through the years have been lucky enough to pick up a lot of nice gear.  However as I have advanced in my job I have lost the time I used to have to play.  With the damage that hurricane Sandy caused on the house and some gear, I haven't played much since last October.  However I still love to play and once we get the house in a better state I'll be setting up a bigger and better room to do some recording and playing in.  I still have the dream alive that I could go back out an play, so don't give it up at all.

btw.  don't give up on the ladies of the road either :)

[Nadz1lla]

I know your pain, Steve. Although I keep trying to write songs and record them in my own spare time, I currently hold two full-time jobs just to try and get my debts paid off. I'm 31 so the record deal ship had already sailed probably five or six years ago. Music is something I do for enjoyment now, but there is always still that hope that when I finally do release my E.P (followed by my album the year after) that people will buy it and enjoy it.

I will release it, that is still happening, but I doubt anything big will come of it, no matter how much I dream of supporting Devin Townsend on a UK tour!  :lol:

[Oli]

Unfortunately, very very few people make money from being able to play guitar. Obviously I'm omitting teaching in this, but that's a different story.

Being a session musician is often a very far cry from what your expectations may be. Studio work is not a glamorous job, there is a lot of waiting around for artists to arrive (talking in a 'big' studio here, with chart records), and then when you have to record, you cannot have a dozen takes at something, you have to be spot on. d there's not really any sight of tabs, you might get the names of the chords if you're lucky, and you have to know them. There are a handful of musicians who can make a living, but it's not really the musicians you need to know, it's the producers and the managers who book the work!

The music industry really isn't the place I would advise anyone to aspire to work in, there is so little reward for your efforts at the top, and no money below that. It is a shame that is the situation, but if I were you Steve, I'd be pleased with myself for figuring it out before you get into financial trouble.

[Johnny Mac]

Sorry to hear that Steve. Things don't sound that bad for you. A new wife and a good father in law in a business who is willing to teach and pay you. They're good things.
I know the reality of not achieving your dream hurts. One day it will stop. As 38th said. Family is more important.
I had my dream of not making a full time living as a photographer broken by reality at 35. After a few years of making a bit of money from it, I had to face up to the fact that it wasn't enough to live on. I got a job as a brickies labourer and that was a wake up call but it lead into other things.
As the other have said you can still be in a band. Function bands is where the dough is. I'd jump at the chance to do that now for a bit of extra.
Good luck :-)

[MDV]

I dont know that its a bad thing. Greener grass and all that. I did production as my only thing for 2 years, and in the end I didnt like making a passion in life into something that I had to depend on for income. It may seem somewhat churlish to have had a crack at that whip and after doing it, say 'maybe you wouldnt like it anyway', but its a distinct possibility.

The alleviation of concern as to where next months rent will come from from having a regular job is not to be sniffed at either. Dont get me wrong, I'm not a mercenary person and to me money only has the value of what I can do with it, but one of those things is stay off the streets, which is decidedly non-trivial.

I have no one to support but myself, so with a family I can only imagine thats amplified massively, and a regular job is very nearly a must. I think in this day and age you have to be extremely lucky to get to do something artistic as a primary source of income, and you have to be able to take a lot of rough with the smooth for it, its not for everyone.

I'm one week into my first day job in 2 years, and frankly its a relief. I wouldnt trade those 2 years for anything, and I regret nothing; I'm glad I did it, but I very much doubt I would do it again. I now get to keep music as something I do PURELY because I love it, and after having had it as a main job, I'm very glad of that.

[lulusg]

Garden maintenance is a great business and one that provides for a lot of friends here in the south...also you have been playing guitar for a long time and that is sure to be there to enjoy at any time.. There are a lot of musicians at my working place which is a totally unrelated business, but as they bring food, shelter, and clothing for their families  they also find themselves getting together and jamming with friends all the time and having fun. You are  still very young and starting a family requires a solid ground... music is still there to be enjoyed..Best to you Sir...

[clyde billt]

I'm reading a lot of past hurt in these posts guys. All of which I can relate to.
I also had that realisation after being signed up, record deal, management deal, support slots, radio plays then a big dose of real life and how other people can be affected.

To be honest I'm quite glad that it didn't get much further. Some of the industry types (well pretty much all really) were total snakes.
I know so many really talented musicians who are all great people, very few of whom have managed to have a continuous source of income from music.

Stevie man, you have just joined a very large group of people.
We are all over the internet forums and chat rooms, recording stuff and uploading to soundcloud etc, banging out red hot cover versions in your local boozer on a Tuesday night, hanging about luthiers getting setups and refrets done.
Join us dude. It's fun  :lol:

Don't forget that that passion you have doesn't go away at all. Now you will be able to afford to buy gear that you like/need/want and provide for your family.
Thats a much better deal in the long run.

[Philly Q]

From what people are saying, sounds like you may now have the best of both worlds.  You can have a job to bring in a steady living and enjoy your musical pursuits.  Biggest problem will be getting that old chestnut, the "work/life balance", right. 

[ToneMonkey]

I could never make a living with a guitar unless I was a busker that you paid to shut up. I could make a killing doing that.

But I have been helping my best mate set up a garden maintenance business, so if you have any questions I can tell you how we've gone about it. Might not be the best way, but it may be some help. Feel free to PM me.

[Philly Q]

I've just realised there are a lot of people talking about garden maintenance in this thread....

Anyone fancy sorting mine out?  I HATE gardening, I haven't touched it in 20 years.  I did once pay some old geezer to clear it, but he did of it half then disappeared.... I expect his fox-gnawed bones may be somewhere under the brambles.  :|

[38thBeatle]

I've just realised there are a lot of people talking about garden maintenance in this thread....

Anyone fancy sorting mine out?  I HATE gardening, I haven't touched it in 20 years.  I did once pay some old geezer to clear it, but he did of it half then disappeared.... I expect his fox-gnawed bones may be somewhere under the brambles.  :|

He's not under your bed ?