Music as a Job, versus a Hobby, verus a Jobby.

[stevel]

I was watching Brad Paisley - probably on CMT - it was a 5th Gear show.

At the point I was watching it just seemed his heart wasn't in it.

I also re-watched "That Thing You Do" recently and came to the realization that:

1. We all have this "I want to be Rock Star" fantasy when we're growing up, but,

2. The reality is, this can be a lot of work.

It seems to me, the industry is out to make a profit. In "That Thing You Do" the one guy wanted to get in the studio but the Manager's job was basically to keep them on the radio, and on the tour while their song was climbing the charts.

I hear about these people like Paisley doing 300 shows a year.

I mean, at some point, it seems to me, it's got to stop being fun, and being - as bad as going into a cubicle in an office from 9-5 everyday. Different, but, it loses it's fun.

I mean, I hate work. I would rather get up every day and play music. I would rather be able to get my music to millions of people and entertain them (and know that's happening so I can appreciate it). But as soon as it gets to "you have to go on tour and support your album" as opposed to going into the studio to make more music, I would be thinking it's like work.

I hate to be crass, but it's kind of like the old story of the Prostitute or Porn Star - when they get off of work, do they really want to go home and have sex?

Now, I'm sure there are musicians out there who really love the whole "industry" version. But I don't think that's for me (plus I'm too old to ever be a Rock or Pop star now).

I guess where I'm going with this is:

If you have a music job, are you happy with it, or is it a "job" with all the bad stuff that goes along with the typical idea of job.

Is it a hobby for you, and you enjoy it more.

Is it a "jobby" - something you do for fun, but get paid, take it seriously like a job, but it's not your primary source of income.

I teach music at a university, so I'm around music all of the time. So it's very rewarding (though not as much as I'd like it to be from a financial standpoint :-). I would say I have a *really* good job compared to most people - summer off, time with my family, around music, around other musicians, have time to play my own music, etc.

But would I rather just play music at a club every night. Yes. I would if I could survive. But would I want to go on tour as part of some "machine". No.

What are your thoughts, experiences, etc.

TIA,
Steve

[Deacon]

It's one of life's great ironies.

You find something you absolutely love doing ... you decide that's what you want to do for a living ... it becomes a job and that love you originally had for it goes "poof".

I did this w/ tennis. I LOVED playing tennis, so I became a teaching pro and college coach. Know what? I haven't played a game of tennis is maybe 15 years now. After a while, even the sight of a tennis court made me wanna barf. :(

Playing guitar started out as something I did purely for myself. I didn't even play outside my bedroom for about the first 5 years of playing. I had no interest in performing publicly ... I just loved playing.

Since age 16 or 17, I've played solo acoustic stuff, been in bands, etc. But never went beyond the point where playing guitar stopped be something I love and became a paycheck. I didn't have that kind of drive and I knew I'd end up losing the magic I feel when just holding and playing a guitar.

I think some people can do both, but I think it's REALLY hard to maintain.

P.S. For every 1 person who's making a passable living at music, there are probably about a million who are trying and will never get to that point.

[squeally dan]

I think if I had realized what I wanted out of music sooner, I would have also gone a different path. I love playing music but I don't love playing in stinky smokey bars while my wife and kids are sitting at home watching "Finding Nemo" without me.

I half-assed my way through college because I thought I was going to be a musician. What I didn't realize is that you usually have to choose being a full time musician or having a family, house, and kids. Its hard to do both. Right now I work a day job making 40,000 and I play in a band 6-8 times/month to make another 1,500-2,000 per month. I think I'd much rather be a lawyer and play 2-3 times/month for the enjoyment of playing and have more time to spend with my wife and kids. I admit it. I wish I was a blues lawyer. Am I too old at 36 to go back to law school?

[arthur rotfeld]

I can't make a living only performing...teaching and related work is my bread and butter. There are "amatuers" here who gig more than me for sure.

It could get tedious, but my outlook helps prevent that. I charge a price that warrants hard work, so it's a way that I inspire myself to do well. There is variety built in.....all students are somewhat different, I can change approaches/methods, there is a lot of music out there.

I quit a band when I finally learned the material and felt like I was going through the motions, like a performing monkey. The music was good, but essentially the same night to night. With no big audience/money, I lost interest in repeating the performance. That's maybe what you're getting at. If I had to play a not-so-challenging part for hundreds of gigs, no thanks. I need creativity and variety in my performing work, unless it's really big $$$$

On my own gigs, even if I show up with a set list, it evolves and is only a starting point. With gigs entailing 20-40 songs, and a repertoire of 10 times that we can wander, plus there's improv on all of it. Suits me.

[Franklin]

P.S. For every 1 person who's making a passable living at music, there are probably about a million who are trying and will never get to that point.

I get that point, it's the reason I never worked at a music instrument store....

[greggorypeccary]

"That Thing You Do" is a great movie! Everyone was in the band - the sensitive writer, the musician, the guy in it for the party and "the bass player". I guess in the end they all got what they wanted out if it.

As for the original comment about BP, I think it's hard to judge from the outside that someone's "heart's not in it". Maybe they're just having a bad day at work like the rest of us!

[squeally dan]

I agree, that is a great movie. "Bands come and go" _I love that line form the jazz great in the club.

[bkd_guitarist]

Music was my job for four years. Touring 9-10 months a year, 200-250 shows per year, plus studio work. Yep, it became a job, and I got burned out on it. Though if I was making Brad Paisley money, that might have helped ward off burnout. ;)

My favorite was when casual musicians would say, "Dude, we should get together and JAM!!!!" I'd think, "You're an accountant...do I suggest that I come over to your house and we do taxes together?"

After I got done with the touring thing, I put my guitar in a closet and didn't play for more than a year. Now I have a regular day job and play out 1-2 times a week, sometimes for money, sometimes not. It seems to be the ideal balance for me.

[Pietro]

Okay... the other side...

played music as an amateur for decades... then 3 and a half years ago took a job as a Worship Arts Pastor in a church. Now, music is not my whole job, but it is a huge chunk of it.

I love playing now more than I ever did. Who'da thunk it? I always just assumed that I'd like music less once it was such a big part of my job.

But here's a trick. On my days off and on vacation... I do NOT play a guitar. In fact, I don't have one at home. My time off is family time. Period.

[stevel]

Music was my job for four years. Touring 9-10 months a year, 200-250 shows per year, plus studio work. Yep, it became a job, and I got burned out on it. Though if I was making Brad Paisley money, that might have helped ward off burnout. ;)

So you did get burned out. Sorry, but, that's what I kind of see would happen. I guess that's also why record companies try to get younger artists who are more willing and able to do it - more energy, less ties, etc.


My favorite was when casual musicians would say, "Dude, we should get together and JAM!!!!" I'd think, "You're an accountant...do I suggest that I come over to your house and we do taxes together?"

LOL. Yeah, and I guess like you said above, not every accountant is making Brad Paisly Accountant money, so accountants probably get burned out too.


After I got done with the touring thing, I put my guitar in a closet and didn't play for more than a year. Now I have a regular day job and play out 1-2 times a week, sometimes for money, sometimes not. It seems to be the ideal balance for me.

That's kind of where I am. I was playing 3-4 nights a week, teaching guitar lessons, and teaching courses. I was really still on the "up and coming" side of the touring thing, so I didn't really experience enough to get burned out, but having to do the other things to make ends meet burned me out. After I left my last "touring" band, and quit giving lessons, and just kept my day job (teaching music at a university - because that's the job that had the health care for my family!) I played guitar only rarely. I went through 1 or 2 week periods without playing (though I do a lot of other stuff like composing for traditional orchestral instrument so I was still doing "music" in that way).

Now I'm in a position where I want to play more (kids are getting older and don't need constant diaper changing) and I'm working on that balance.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Steve

[stevel]

Okay... the other side...

played music as an amateur for decades... then 3 and a half years ago took a job as a Worship Arts Pastor in a church. Now, music is not my whole job, but it is a huge chunk of it.

I love playing now more than I ever did. Who'da thunk it? I always just assumed that I'd like music less once it was such a big part of my job.

But here's a trick. On my days off and on vacation... I do NOT play a guitar. In fact, I don't have one at home. My time off is family time. Period.

So it has become like a "Job job". A Job that you like, but it's not your "fun time".

I think I'd still have a guitar at home though :-)

Steve

[eBay]

Music as a Job, versus a Hobby, verus a Jobby.

You forgot a McJob in your list.

[JoeB63]

Anything that's repetitive gets tedious at some point. That's definitely the downside of doing 300 near-identical shows on a big tour. I can't imagine acting in a Broadway show ---- doing the same exact thing 6 or 7 times every week. I'd rather be an accountant.

On the other hand, it must be nice to be Brad Paisley -- you show up at the venue and everything is set up and ready to go. Of course, while the roadies are setting things up, Brad's probably doing the rounds on local radio stations and TV show, so he's working too. I'd choose that over Accounting.

Most business travelers with tell you that being on the road all the time, for any reason, isn't much fun. It's fun the first few days, and then you just want to be home. Eventually, all the traveling gets very boring.

[Starquasi]

Begin rant:

working on a cruise ship for the last 10 months...3 months to go till i get off the boat....playing 5 hours a day split up over 10 hours in various venues on the ship...hauling my gear around..... rehearsing for shows/playing shows and being the "top 40 party band" playing a out of a mandated book of tunes that aren't all that good.....it is a constant challenge to stay focused on improving/learning/just keeping sane.....like joe mentioned, doing anything repetitive can get tedious....

i'm thankful to have a guitar in my hands every day to make my living but at the same time i struggle with the tedium....i think finding a musical job that can stretch you/challenge you and allow you the time to find a bit of balance is what everyone is searching for.....

but being balanced isn't all it's cracked up to be either.....

end rant. Thanks for listening....

[DocLovett]

I do what I love, and I love what I do. I have been blessed by God.

[shihanderek]

I played in bar bands for a few years until we started having kids. I stopped, and won't go back to that. Would do it occassionally, but not regularly like in the past.

I teach part time and really dig that. I play at church for free regularly, and gig weekly solo for free dinner, some tips and a few bucks. I make roughly $4-5k per year doing this stuff. At this point in my life, it is enough, and I don't really want to do anymore right now.

[Lucidology]

Worked on the side of my music as a professional Astrologer for almost six years...
Started doing this the last time I got off the road thinking I can't do music all the time
(toured America for almost 12 years on the road on and off BTW)...

& you know what .... I made more money being a star gazer...

However, the only reason folk go to an Astrologer most of the time is because they have problems ...
So when I would go to my gigs at night... I would be totally emotionally drained
and it was hard to express myself properly...
So ...decided to screw the money, as I would rather do what I luv with all my energy in tact= And I luv to play my guitar
(which I've been making a living at doing since I left home at 17)

EVERY single day I'm thankful that I can just play my guitar and make a living at all ....
And I wouldn't mind playing every night a week if I could (& which I have ...)

As of today, now I just signed three steady weekly gig contracts for all of 2009 ..
And my hands are pressed together facing upward, giving deep thanks ...

[bkd_guitarist]

So you did get burned out. Sorry, but, that's what I kind of see would happen. I guess that's also why record companies try to get younger artists who are more willing and able to do it - more energy, less ties, etc.

I was 19 and single when I started touring. I think at any age, it's tough to live out of a suitcase full-time and have no place to call home. Also, at age 22 I got married to our road manager and we wanted to start a family, so that contributed to it as well. BTW, that's a great way to select a mate...touring together for 4 years, you see them at their best and worst. There were no big surprises after we got married, and we're still together 15 years later. So for me, it was definitely the right decision.

[stevel]

Begin rant:

working on a cruise ship for the last 10 months...3 months to go till i get off the boat....playing 5 hours a day split up over 10 hours in various venues on the ship...hauling my gear around..... rehearsing for shows/playing shows and being the "top 40 party band" playing a out of a mandated book of tunes that aren't all that good.....it is a constant challenge to stay focused on improving/learning/just keeping sane.....like joe mentioned, doing anything repetitive can get tedious....

i'm thankful to have a guitar in my hands every day to make my living but at the same time i struggle with the tedium....i think finding a musical job that can stretch you/challenge you and allow you the time to find a bit of balance is what everyone is searching for.....

but being balanced isn't all it's cracked up to be either.....

end rant. Thanks for listening....

I went on a cruise last January and caught the band. Man, do they get worked (or worked over!) - I mean, maybe they get paid a lot, but they played on the deck mid-day, did a "dinner" gig, did a "party gig" at 8 or 9, and then did a "real" gig at 10 - 1 or something - AND - at the latter they played REALLY long sets.

I was thinking, I don't know how the vocalists are going to manage it. But yeah, I saw the same cats around the ship (there were actually two bands, but the other one only played once per day, as did two "lounge acts" - a solo guitarist/singer and a pianist and singer combo playing in "bar" settings).

I remember them playing "Satisfaction" as E E - E F# G - instead of like it was - they were probably reading a bad chart! And many of the songs were bad fits. The male singer sang things the female should have been doing (in their defense, it appeared to be early in their season and they were still learning a lot of the tunes - she was reading lyrics still). The male singer did do "What A Wonderful World" in full Louis Armstrong mimic - great job - but again, probably hell on his voice (which was very good).

Based on the song selection, I would bet they were "mandated" as you said. Some of the stuff they "chose" seemed to be really poor selections, but I bet they (the cruise line) have to be very careful about what kind of lyrics songs contain, etc.

God bless you man. I know that's a gig people think is going to be real fun, but talking to other members of the staff, it seems like you don't get to get off the ship at every stop (one guy got an hour to go visit with his family on Jamaica), have no free time other than sleeping, etc. When we were getting off the ship, they were already busy preparing for the next batch of guests. It's basically, "Assembly Line".

I wish you fair weather, and I want you to know, there are people out there in your audience who do appreciate what you do.

Best,
Steve

[KRosser]

I love playing guitar for a living - love it. And when I'm not doing gigs I love teaching the guitar. And when I'm done that I get on the internet or on the phone and talk about music and guitar playing.

What a geek....

[Lucidology]

As of today, now I just signed three steady weekly gig contracts for all of 2009 ..
And my hands are pressed together facing upward, giving deep thanks ...

Update ... just upgraded to 4 steady weekly gigs for the year 2009
(Sunday, Tuesday, Wed. & Thursday) not counting weekends ...

Great thanks to za Goddess on zis Turkey day ...

[Guitar Slinger6]

Long ago I made a modest living playing, I have nothing but respect for those who do, it is a tough way to make your bones. It was hard for me to seperate the business side of it from playing.

[S.W.Erdnase]

Obviously the term "Jobby" has a different connotation in the US than in the UK and Australia...

[devnulljp]

Is it a "jobby" - something you do for fun, but get paid, take it seriously like a job, but it's not your primary source of income.That's not what "jobby (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jobby)" means where I come from, so :rotflmao

EDIT: I see S.W.Erdnase and I speak the same language

[edwarddavis]

porn stars dont have sex on their day off. thats BS. They must have to practice sometime

[splatt]

I love playing guitar for a living - love it. And when I'm not doing gigs I love teaching the guitar. And when I'm done that I get on the internet or on the phone and talk about music and guitar playing.

What a geek....
same.
i love what i do.
being a musician
--- guitarist, composer, producer, mixer, friend, whatever ---
is my job.
and my hobby.
and my jobby.
and my bobby, etc.

in some ways, i've gone beyond accepting
many of the inherent difficulties
& come to appreciate them for what they, in potens, might offer me.....
..... which clearly does NOT mean that "struggle" has "ceased":
my experiences in life seem to suggest that
there is a continuum
both external and internal.

everything worthwhile seems to contain the potential for the necesssity of hard work;
every extreme focus in one area seems to portend sacrifices in
a multiplicity of others.
so what?
is there any kind of chosen path which
doesn't bring some kind of cross-to-bear?

i wouldn't barter away the musical life,
to this point,
for anything;
in the most critical of generalised ways,
it feels right.

i'm aware, though,
that
YMMV.

dt / spltrcl

[FFTT]

I have found that you are better off playing because you love to play.

If you can make a comfortable living and still enjoy playing music
then go for it.

[gkoelling]

I work in the music industry, not as a musician, but as a salesman. Yes, it can get old and there are lousy days but when I remind myself of the other jobs I've had, I'm quite happy where I am.

I could definitely make more money in another line of work but won't tolerate the corporate life.

[GuitarsFromMars]

I enjoyed reading this.Especially the responses,from guys like Ken,David,Joseph(my muso brethren),etc...I am in agreement that there always seems to be a proverbial 'work hard' motive,to keep your musical endeavors moving in a forward direction.Prior to my stroke in 2006,I was gigging an average of 3-4 times a week(I was fronting,playing in,and booking,my own trio).This was shortly after the smoking ban was passed in Florida.The gigs have declined steadily,with the economy's deterioration.I no longer have the desire,to attempt to play,for a mostly underappreciative audience.I finally went,and upgraded my computer studio,and the appropriate interfaces,as well as the actual playing instuments.I no longer have a desire to play out.I suspect it's mostly,because I stutter/stammer,as a result of my illness.I record and play,at home all the time.I am finally well enough,to get back to work as an RN(I have been one for a long time),as well as to make music.I am very grateful,and applaud my professional friends,who still manage,to make a living,doing 'it'.I sometimes wish I could stand,with those people(yes,you musos),as a member of that group.I no longer suspect that will happen.I am learning to accept,being a musical individual,with different processes,motives,and sensibilties,at this point.

[Frankenstrat2]

Been there done that. Played in groups since I was 13, played for money from then until I was 25. Did bars, corporate, some studio work, toured a bit, we went corporate-owned a truck, roadies, rented a big house- it was a blast when I was in my teens and 20's.
But the reality was that the long road was a hard one, and I gave it up for a family business, wife, home, security, retirement, etc. No regrets on that score.
As others said- I have the upmost respect for those who chose that life path.
Some of my friends that stayed in 'the biz' lost the pleasure of making music to the stress of making money from it. It sucked the fun right out of it. That makes me sad for them. If you can do it and still be inwardly happy, its a blessing.
I remember Robben Ford saying something to the effect that there is 'music', and then there is 'the music business' and they are not at all related.
I told my wife of 29 years that had I stayed in 'the biz' I'd either already be divorced or dead.
'The biz' has always seemed terrificly competitive, demanding physically and mentally, and not particularly lucrative unless you are extremely talented and/or lucky. But for some it is their calling, and in that case perhaps there is no choice to be made at all. You do what you do because you must.
I enjoy the luxury of making music on my terms with few compromises or pressures. I am not envious of those who do it as a profession, but very respectful of their commitment.

[stevel]

same.
i love what i do.
being a musician
--- guitarist, composer, producer, mixer, friend, whatever ---
is my job.
and my hobby.
and my jobby.
and my bobby, etc.

in some ways, i've gone beyond accepting
many of the inherent difficulties
& come to appreciate them for what they, in potens, might offer me.....
..... which clearly does NOT mean that "struggle" has "ceased":
my experiences in life seem to suggest that
there is a continuum
both external and internal.

everything worthwhile seems to contain the potential for the necesssity of hard work;
every extreme focus in one area seems to portend sacrifices in
a multiplicity of others.
so what?
is there any kind of chosen path which
doesn't bring some kind of cross-to-bear?

i wouldn't barter away the musical life,
to this point,
for anything;
in the most critical of generalised ways,
it feels right.

i'm aware, though,
that
YMMV.

dt / spltrcl

Dude, you're a poet and didn't even know it!

Best,
Steve

[stevel]

That's not what "jobby (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jobby)" means where I come from, so :rotflmao

EDIT: I see S.W.Erdnase and I speak the same language

That's funny - I thought you guys maybe had a use for the term as in hand job - I've heard it used in that context and hoped no one would come at it from that perspective. So here I'm thinking, great, a couple of guys picked up on it. Then I read the Urban Dictionary definition. Whoa!

But then again, I've had some jobs that were definitely jobbies!!!

Steve