day jobs, music and life
Paul Sanwald
I just got a new job within the company I work for (I'm a
programmer, like a lot of folks here). it's great because it means I
get a raise which I haven't gotten in forever, but it also means that
I will be working full time and have more responsibilities, etc.
like probably almost everyone here I have struggled a lot to balance
music and paying the bills, generally always putting music first. for
me, this has meant a lot of sacrifices career wise, none of which I
regret in the slightest.
I know a lot of people on here (dan, mark, jack, pt, etc) have been
seriously dedicated to music/guitar for a long time while still
managing to work a day job. I'd really love to hear from all of y'all
that do this any thoughts you may have on the subject, things you
regret, things you don't regret, advice, etc. just a general
discussion on music and what you do to pay the bills, and how that has
affected your artistic life over time.
--paul
tomw
pcsa...@pobox.com says...
> I know a lot of people on here (dan, mark, jack, pt, etc) have been
> seriously dedicated to music/guitar for a long time while still
> managing to work a day job. I'd really love to hear from all of y'all
> that do this any thoughts you may have on the subject, things you
> regret, things you don't regret, advice, etc. just a general
> discussion on music and what you do to pay the bills, and how that has
> affected your artistic life over time.
>
> --paul
>
Back in the day when I put the music before work, I never had enough
money to put into gear and I found that to be a problem. Just keeping my
guitar strung and one working amp was a strain. Of course, I had a
family to support and every dollar I put into the music I took away from
them. When my daughter approached college age making money became my
priority. When she graduated from college for the first time in my life
I had disposable income.
Looking back, I wish I had been more serious about work earlier, and
more selective about the music I played. When I started playing I had a
lot to learn, but a lot of the stuff I learned on the bandstand was just
about being on the bandstand, and not so much about music. I can safely
say that I've learned *way* more since I quit gigging, just by
listening, holing up in the music room, and talking to y'all. It's kind
of pathetic being a "hobby boy", but IMHO it's more pathetic to be on
the bandstand with nothing to say.
My advice: keep a good day job and be very disciplined about the music.
Don't take a gig just to be working.
--
Tom Walls
the guy at the Temple of Zeus
Rick Ross
become the owner of the company
hire good staff
close the door to your office and practice
take a break..put out a few fires...foster the illusion that everyone is
doing a great job..
practice more...
go home...tell your great staff you'll be in a little late tomorrow..
why? none of their business but you've got a gig tonight
"Paul Sanwald" <pcsa...@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:1503c94e.04051...@posting.google.com...
Jens Weisse
(so it'll be a while until I'll be the boss, haha). I don't have family, so
I am doing ok as far as time for practice and playing is concerned. I rarely
get to hang out with friends who are not musicians, though. Rehearsal twice
a week, with two different groups (Big Band and Combo).
There have been times when I was very depressed about my playing, because I
didn't have time to practice. I am trying to spend as much time as possible
playing or listening. The one thing that helps me the most to stay motivated
is attending workshops, lurking in this group (thanks for all the great
material!), and reading good books about playing.
I agree completely with not wasting your time with stuff that you don't
really like, or plaing with people who don't take the music seriously (e.g.
the ego-jazzers). It's bad for you and will get you down. Don't do it.
Jens
Pt
>pcsa...@pobox.com (Paul Sanwald) wrote in message news:<1503c94e.04051...@posting.google.com>...
>===========================
>For the past seven years I've worked a day job and spent a lot of time
>raising a kid. Prior to being a dad I had a lot more time for music,
>but parenthood sort of won out and music took a back seat. It wasn't
>an easy adjustment; at times I was kind of bitter about the lack of
>progress in my music and I think I unloaded some of that bitterness on
>this group. sorry guys. Well, as luck (or misfortune) would have it,
>my job in the "high tech field" was "restructured" out of existence a
>couple weeks ago, and now I am working more diligently than ever on
>playing, teaching, writing, editing and arranging music. I don't know
>how long I can hold out doing just music, but it certainly is an
>interesting turn of events and I feel thatI have a lot more maturity
>and perspective to bring to my musical endeavors now.
>
>-Mark R
Good luck with your endeavors.
And take advantage of the time you have for your music but don't
neglect your family.
I've been there too.
Pt
Tone
If you have a TV disconnect the antenna or cable and only use it for
DVD/video viewing. You might not get some up to the second TV based
gags but you'll have more discretionary time.
If you really need to unwind, take a nap, and if you need to see some
advertisements, go to www.yahoo.com ;-)
BTW I know all about playing along with the TV as ear training, did
lots of it myself before I had a job but unless you're religious about
it and put your guitar stand right in front of the TV you'll probably
waste time.
Tone
DVD/video viewing. You might not get some up to the second TV based
gags but you'll have more discretionary time. If you really need to
advertisements go to www.yahoo.com ;-)
BTW I know all about playing along with the TV as ear training, did
lots of it myself before I had a job but unless you're religious about
it and put your guitar stand right in front of the TV you'll probably
waste time.
Sorry if this got posted more than once, "google groups" gave me
server errors so I reposted... since this is a time critical issue :)
Pt
One good thing about playing with the TV.
You learn to find the keys to the songs quickly.
Especially on 30 second advertisements.
Pt
Max Smith
Reminds me of when I first started playing guitar, I'd set the radio to
a station and try to play along with everything that came on - try to
grab everything I could on one pass - would spend hours that way.
--
I'm Max Smith and I approve this message.
"When all you have is a hammer, you get pretty damn good at driving nails."
Marc Sabatella
and weekends were generally free. Completely free. Aside from any
basic housekeeping chores, there were at least 50 waking hours every
week when I could do what I pleased. I practiced a lot, wrote a lot,
did some recording sessions that I was able to fund out of my own
pocket, etc. Plus I went biking, skiing, played tennis, etc.
Now that I am doing music full time, every minute I am not actually on a
gig, some part of me is thinking about what I could or should be doing
to further my career. I find less time for things like practice than I
did when I had a day job.
That's not to say there aren't advantages to having music as a career,
or that I regret the choice I made. Just this: don't downplay the
amount of time and energy you are able to devote to music now. The
grass isn't necessarily any greener on the other side...
--------------
Marc Sabatella
ma...@outsideshore.com
The Outside Shore
Music, art, & educational materials:
http://www.outsideshore.com/
Pt
Very good post Marc.
Like you I worked long hard hours and spent all my free time
recording, writing, studying, listening to and playing music.
At work I would be thinking music all the time.
It's a wonder I did my job well.
Last year I took an early retirement and now I finally have the time
to spend on my music.
At first I got in 3 bands at the same time along with jamming weekly.
Today I am in one band (occasionally sit in with another on bass) and
I can't find the time to practice.
But I have more time than ever before.
I played poorly at my last rehearsal which is something I haven't done
in years.
I pick up my guitar ten times a day to play things that go through my
head but I just don't have the incentive to work on what I am supposed
to work on.
I better straighten out my act!!
Pt
Dan Adler
> I just got a new job within the company I work for (I'm a
> programmer, like a lot of folks here). it's great because it means I
> get a raise which I haven't gotten in forever, but it also means that
> I will be working full time and have more responsibilities, etc.
I think the time slicing issue exists for everyone. During my college
years I taught guitar and did a lot of music gigs that had nothing to
do with jazz, and I think that made me realize that I never wanted to
"work" in music.
Jack Zucker
most of whom wore "Ozzy" caps and wanted to be the next Randy Rhoads...
--
Experience a revolutionary way to approach the instrument.
Introducing Sheets of Sound for Guitar
"Let the music govern the way you play guitar instead of the guitar
governing the way you play music!"
Check it out at:
http://www.sheetsofsound.net
"Dan Adler" <d...@danadler.com> wrote in message
news:820e87.040514...@posting.google.com...
kuboken
> That happened to me too, Dan. Additionally, I was teaching 40 kids a week,
> most of whom wore "Ozzy" caps and wanted to be the next Randy Rhoads...
Well, I was one of those! I picked up the guitar after hearing Randy;
my first band was a Judas Priest cover band (not MY band, but the
first band I joined in hs).
Ken
Jack Zucker
Nothing wrong with that. I just remember trying to show one kid how you can
play the pentatonic scale in 3rds which result in enharmonic 4ths and how
cool that was, etc. and he replied, spoken with a stoner's drawl, "I can't
play that man...It's not tough enough. The rest of the band would kick my
ass..."
That was when I knew I couldn't do that anymore! LOL
--
Experience a revolutionary way to approach the instrument.
Introducing Sheets of Sound for Guitar
"Let the music govern the way you play guitar instead of the guitar
governing the way you play music!"
Check it out at:
http://www.sheetsofsound.net
"kuboken" <kubo...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:6a4171a7.0405...@posting.google.com...
Pt
>Thanks, pt. The family always gets the first crack at me, then music.
>Sometimes I wonder if those who are totally committed to music might
>be better off not having a family, or not having children. It takes a
>lot of energy.
My kids are in their 20's and moved away, I am divorced and I moved
away.
All I have left is my music.
Pt
Lumpy
> ... I was hired to play in a band and I
> thought there were some mistakes going
> on and the singer (who was the leader)
> just looked at me and said "look, this
> is not a band. I hired you so
> just do what I say..."...
That's the only kind of gig I do. That
"joining a band" stuff is costly, in terms
of my man-hours. Hire me, pay my hourly wage,
I'll do whatever you say. Ask me to join a band,
attend rehearsals, help buy equipment etc.,
and I say "no thanks".
Music is my day job. I don't do freebies.
Lumpy
--
In Your Ears for 40 Years
http://www.lumpymusic.com
Steven Bornfeld
Jack Zucker wrote:
> Hey Ken,
>
> Nothing wrong with that. I just remember trying to show one kid how you can
> play the pentatonic scale in 3rds which result in enharmonic 4ths and how
> cool that was, etc. and he replied, spoken with a stoner's drawl, "I can't
> play that man...It's not tough enough. The rest of the band would kick my
> ass..."
>
> That was when I knew I couldn't do that anymore! LOL
That's pretty funny!
Steve
>
Max Smith
Don't forget the girl down the hall...
Pt
<sixstr...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>Pt wrote:
>
>> On 14 May 2004 12:33:46 -0700, jazz...@hotmail.com (MBR) wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Thanks, pt. The family always gets the first crack at me, then music.
>>>Sometimes I wonder if those who are totally committed to music might
>>>be better off not having a family, or not having children. It takes a
>>>lot of energy.
>>
>>
>>
>> My kids are in their 20's and moved away, I am divorced and I moved
>> away.
>> All I have left is my music.
>>
>> Pt
>
>Don't forget the girl down the hall...
And the one next door.
And the one......
kuboken
> "joining a band" stuff is costly, in terms
> of my man-hours. Hire me, pay my hourly wage,
> I'll do whatever you say. Ask me to join a band,
> attend rehearsals, help buy equipment etc.,
> and I say "no thanks".
>
> Music is my day job. I don't do freebies.
>
> Lumpy
Yeah, I can understand that now. Back then, I was in my teens with
big dreams. After that incident, I had the attitude that "I like sex
but I don't want to be a prostitute..."
Of course, now I realize there is much more to it than that.
Ken
Steve Carter
When I was teaching full-time at Berklee, and gigging a lot, I had
little time to practice. Some teachers just use their lessons as their
own practice or jam sessions, but I actually tried to teach in every
lesson, and, even though I played in all my lessons and ensembles, I
didn't get the kind of practicing I needed. Also, the gigs I had to
take -- for political or financial reasons -- did not always serve to
improve my playing.
For the past 7 years I've worked a day job as a software developer,
and now my practicing is much more efficient and effective. I play far
fewer gigs, but they are only the ones I want to play and I enjoy them
all. I feel more like a "professional" musician now than I did then,
in some ways.
Of course a lot of people, when they hear I quit Berklee say, "Why did
you leave music?"
I didn't leave music. I left Berklee.
From what you guys are saying in this thread, I guess I should be glad
I can't afford to retire. I might hurt my playing! <grin>
Steve
On Thu, 13 May 2004 19:50:40 -0600, "Marc Sabatella"
<ma...@outsideshore.com> wrote:
Steve Carter
www.frogstoryrecords.com
Dan Adler
> I just got a new job within the company I work for (I'm a
> programmer, like a lot of folks here). it's great because it means I
So, the real question is why doesn't Berklee merge with MIT and offer
courses in computer science as part of the curriculum. You could have
arranging followed by finite automata, then some ensemble followed by
graph algorithms :-)