hey! lately ive been thinking more and more about my career. up to now ive been planning on going into computer programming, with gigs on the side. but you all seem to be very successful, and im starting to have second thoughts. obivously i would have to take courses in music, for the resume if nothing else. but, and i know that this is somewhat of a personal question, does the whole gig scene pay well? im kinda clueless here, so much so im not even sure of what questions to ask. if anyone has any tips, please divulge them. thanks so much! Zack

Zack....
Ya gotta love it to be in it full time.
No one pays your insurance.
No paid holidays.
Sick days are a nighmare.
No pension plan
Forget socializing or going out with the family on weekends.
You probably would never get to kiss your wife at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve.

If you have the opportunity for a good day job with a future, perks and bennies... I think moonlighting in music will suit you just fine.

You can always go into it later after you get a few safety nets set up. At least that is how I did it.

Eddie

That's OK - he could kiss mine ... she's always home alone on New Years Eve !

Seriously: This job is not for the weak. It is a full time eat/drink/sleep obsession. When you are not doing musical stuff you need to do marketing and business related stuff. When THAT'S done you need to work on gear maintenance and modifications. Wardrobe, schedules, phone skills (Mine NEVER stops ringing) After my 5 day vacation I had 53 emails to answer too.

The BUSINESS of music is as hard as any other business, so prepare yourself. There will be competition, bad conditions, labor issues, space restraints, you name it .... It's not an easy job. Look at how many full timers we have here compared to the part timers or casual players ...... the odds are way out of proportion. The only real open market that is not yet flooded, is the senior circuit - and that a lot of little one hr. shows all over the place, so good, solid transportation is a MUST too.

Music is a gift, and it's great to be able to make a living while you share your gift, but be warned - it's really demanding on your personal life. If you are not called to it with an unyeilding, overwhelming voice .... you might not be cut out for it.

Try a day job first and see how many gigs you can book around that schedule ..... weigh the two salaries, benifits (what are THEY??) and time factors and see if it's still for you.

Eddie's right about the family thing too - it takes a very strong, faithful, understanding woman to stay married to a full time musician......or a bumbling idiot, that works too.



[This message has been edited by Uncle Dave (edited 07-31-2002).]

Well said guys. I can support every statement.
DonM

Zack,
I have to fully agree with what the guys said. If you work for yourself you have to do all of the work as well as finding the next job and advertizing etc.
I work now as a computer technical lead training people how to use the computers to build systems. I have teams of people that I mentor and guide and I enjoy what I do. They key thing is enjoying what you are doing. I tell people I am going to "play work." If you are good at what you do the rest seems to follow.
I also enjoy playing "jamming" with groups and people. Fun stuff only. I have played for weddings and that scene but not for a living. I have worked as a professional magician and entertainer for over 30 years and that has been fun and profitable but it has the same challenges as listed above. It is nice to be able to start into it with a backup plan.
The college I went to had a school of music as well as computer science. A lot of people thought I was there for the music. The computer part was easy for me so, as a lazy person, I just went with it. Since you are a bit younger than me and at a pivotal point in your life I would suggest you try a few things out. While in college I performed at parties, around town, every chance I could get. It paid for all my books and spending money. I still feel what I did was the right decision for me (but only me). Only you can make that kind of decision for yourself. I would highly suggest you try a variety of things out first before that kind of career planning. Remember that the wonderful thing about it is you can change your mind later on.

"Find something you love to do and you will never have to work again."
This basically means if you enjoy what you are doing it really isn't work.

I have a cousin who says: "Man plans... G-d laughs."

I hope some of this makes sense and helps you a bit.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

- Brian

hey brian, and the rest of you. thanks for your replies. first of all, those of you who mentioned the whole insurance and sick days thing have an excellent point, and it is one that i had not thought of. you gotta truly love it to wanna take those kind of risks. although i very much enjoy playing for crowds, i find that nothing quite beats the quiet solitude of me and the logical processes of programming. i have played at quite a few functions around town, including a parade, during which i was up on the back of a truck, (do you how hard it is to hit a Em7 chord when the truck turns and the board is going one way and you the other??) and at quite a few fancy dinners and parties.i havent really had much of a chance to build up that much experience, since i only started a few years ago. but i definitely have tasted the joy. so taking what you all have said into account, and i thank you for your wisdom, i think im going to continue in the way i had originally intended. computers, gigs on the side. oh, and brian, thats one of my favorite sayings. but we still gotta make our own choices, even if what we plan and try for is for naught. we gotta put forth that effort. :-) so thanks so much for all your wisdom. Zack

[This message has been edited by Zack (edited 08-01-2002).]