Why do YOU play music?

Just "food for thought."

I read both of these statements (by Aristotle Onassis) years ago and I modified it to relate to music.

If women didn't exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning.

Without the presence of women in the world, there would be no reason for men to exist

......changed by myself to:

If "audiences" didn't exist, all the "music" in the world would have no meaning.

Without the presence of "audiences" in the world, there would be no reason for "musicians" to exist.

I think about these statements when I think about "why do I play music and beat myself over the head making sure I get maximum practice in every day?

Is it for the paycheck? Is it for recognition? Is it to bolster my self-importance? Is it for status or prestige? Is it to impress my peers? Is it for the adulation from others? Is it for my own listening pleasure? Is it an outlet for creative juices? Is it just something to do as a hobby same as someone might crochet or bowl? Is it to distract others and help them get their minds off their problems? Is it to try and make the world a better place through my music? Is it to please (my) God who gave me the music talent and asks that I use the gift as a conduit for Him?

This is "food for thought" for me because......would I myself find enjoyment in playing and would I continue to practice every day if there was no one to hear me play and no "audiences" to play to? I ask myself that question because audiences for live music are starting to dwindle and so if I can pinpoint the actual reason I'm still playing, then I can readjust my practice sessions accordingly! And maybe free up some time to have a beer and a pizza with friends more often.

Ever since I got my Genos, I’ve put in at least two hours a day on it...just for me.

😊

I have to admit that I'm a much much better listener than player, so I do fit well in the 'audience' category.

Why I play?
Simply because I love to play, specially if I feel I manage to make it sound like music.
Also because it make me relax and stress down from everything else around me.

Some years ago, when gig as duo or trio, I also learned that it gave a lot of joy (and some income) to entertain others.
But nowadays, it's mostly for my own pleasure. It's a lovely hobby.

I play music because i enjoy it..
I even enjoy doing my piano lessons for half an hour a day..
After a long day at work sitting behind my keyboards works like the ultimate stress relieve valve..
It makes me relax, and i feel reborn after one or two hours playing..
No more then 2 hours tough, because after that my back starts to hurt..


I don't like playing for others..
Because i have learned that i get stressed by doing so..
And thats exactly the opposite from what i want to achieve..
So i decided long ago to only play in my home with a headset on..


I think its as many players as many reasons we will find..
And the good thing is, all reasons are okay as long as you like what you are doing.

I 'do' because I 'am'. BTW, I'm not a navel-gazer.

I've been tossing this around for a while now. Reason being I might have to move out of the big city which means, relatively speaking, no more audiences to play to. My state is becoming more uninhabitable by the day....pure chaos. My friend moved down to Myrtle Beach quite a while ago. Came back up to be near his kids. Lasted a year and he just went back down to buy another house to get away from it all again.

I'm listening to what it's like down there and I could really go for the peace and quiet. But....will I miss playing music "to an audience?" I think I figured it out today. YES......I would. THAT is the reason I play....not for myself. So if I move, I'll have the "peace and quiet," but......I will clearly miss the "entertaining audiences."

I'll sleep on it some more.

You can ALWAYS find an audience for good music, and you definitely make good music.

Thanks Don, but, truth be told, I've only ever known "big city life" and the massive amounts of audiences that go with it. My problem (?) is I've never played bars and restaurants. I've been lucky enough to do nothing but parties all my life. Just not sure I'd be any good for anything else.

But, I could go for a job like yours. Maybe I could move to Louisiana and have YOUR job? And pick up some extra money wrestling alligators during the week!

C'mon down! Everybody wants my job!

Like I say to my crowd: "my wife told me to go out and do something today"

No thanks Don - I played a gig last night and was longing for my bed - how you can do the gig you do is amazing (night after night). Hope you are feeling better!

It helps that it is the only thing I really have to do all day! I can sleep until I wake up in the mornings. I'm now checking my forums and then will eat a leisurely breakfast. Normally then I would decide between fishing and golf, but I have been pretty much slowed down on those for the past two months because of health. That leaves just the music and I thank God I have that!

Mark is absolutely correct. If it were not for the ladies, most of us would be out of business. The ladies enjoy hearing us sing and play, they love to dance and party, they love singing along with us. The guys, well they're in the audiences because of the ladies. For the most part, they could care less about the music. They would would rather watch TV sports, drink beer, fart, belch and eat fattening food than dance with the ladies. Yes, there are exceptions, but they tend to be rare. I always performed for the ladies and they were usually the ones dropping the money in the tip jar. And I loved it when those ladies came up to me, gave be a big hug and kiss, and told me how much they enjoyed my performances. I sure do miss that part about being on stage.

Now, I play in my office, just to keep busy during the winter months. When warm weather rolls around in about a month and a half, I'll be on that sailboat sailing over the horizon to Saint Somewhere while sipping on a tall glass of Jim Beam Honey Bourbon. Oh Yeah!

All the best,

Gary

I absolutely hate that some think this stereotype is typical, or normal. I can't even begin to comment further, except to say that my view from the stage has never looked like that.

+++1

chas

Dave and Chas, obviously, you guys didn't realize I was being facetious.

Sure glad I drink,

Gary

I play music because I can't seem to stop playing music. I've tried, but it keeps drawing me back.

Whatever I play music all my negative emotions are gone.
When I Play I am happy – music is my love and my friend.

John C.

'LIKE' BUTTON PRESSED! (But that option is not here)

Same here..gave it up + sold everything in 2013..back in 2015..at the same crossroads again..

Only time I'm happy is when I'm playing - I need help

Everyone gets burned out. At least I did, but when I returned to stage after 2 years off, I scaled down to 250 from 600 gigs a year. And 2 years, back in the chemical industry was enough to retire from that!

Music was the thing that brought me out of a terribly abusive childhood. I could support my brothers. It paid for school. Today, it's an integral part of every communications project I complete. It is my relaxation.

And Dave and Chas may not like it, but, before I quit drinking in 1988, feeling good and getting noticed by the ladies wasn't all that bad.


Russ Lay

Hi Mark,
For me it’s just a hobby, but a very enjoyable one. Gotten me thru some tough times ie able to focus on something pleasant instead of bad.
Purely for my own listening pleasure.

I don't know, Gary.....you wrote about exactly the way it is, and then you do a 180.....are you also a politician....they're good at that!

Anyway, understandably, if you were popular with the ladies, the way I see it is you have the formula...the class of a Caesar Romero, the charm of a Cary Grant, and....the looks of a Paul Newman, and......probably the stage presence of a Liberace.

I should have been a politician myself!