making a living

[dcptnsdcvd]

this may seem like a stupid question to you guys, but how can i make a living through music? i am completely un-employed and having an extremely hard time getting a job. the only skills i have aside from pumpin gas is music, and i don't pump gas very well, lol.
i am a well rounded drummer. not very far into recording yet, BUT, the people i am involved with are very into it. My bassist owns a roland 2480- which i'm sure your all aware of it's awesome capabilities in home recording. and a guitarist that i'm workin with uses Cubase VST 5.0 and has quite the exstensive home studio. we've been advertising and passin out bus. cards and flyers for like a year now a no luck as far as recording other people's bands. we've been workin on a beatles cover for a tribute album, but no pay. Were also doing a christmas song for a x-mas compillation, out next christmas, no pay.
i know this business is all about knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time, but i never am and i don;t know anyone, lol.
so, my question is, how would a starving artist like myself make a living doing music? anything at all, i don;t care. i'll make porno music if it'll pay, lol.
Mike...

 

[Roel]

Giving lessons, play in a cover band (over here those bands make alot, the kind with the older generation of good musicians), play originals but make sure you rock (here, some surfbands get it together that way).

That's all I can think of... Or you have to get lucky.

 

[Leeking]

get a day job like everyone else!

Making money from music is not easy during the starting period.... get a job like working in music stores or giving lessons....

opps, gtg, boss is coming...

 

[AlleyCat]

How to make it...

If it were that easy, we would all be signing our multi-record deals and starting our European tour...

Seriously, the drummers I know who are full-time musicians do one or more of the following:

1. Work in a music store (eg. Sam Ash) in the percussion department.

2. Give lessons at home or at music store above.

3. Do session work in a local studio (a sweet gig if you can get it).

4. Moonlight in a variety of cover bands (country, oldies, Top40, etc.) strictly for the cash.

With some hard work and talent you can make a living doing what you like. With time, your own project may take off and you can leave the other jobs behind. It's not easy, but it can be done.

 

[philboyd studge]

I've never had a day job and have made my living doing music and nothing else. That said, I wouldn't reccomend it.

I guess what worked for me was the commitment and resolve to do nothing else. When I started in '69 I was still getting financial help from the GI bill, but by '71 I was on my own.

Songwriting and concert work is great when somethings happens but the reliable money is the drudgery of playing live someplace. In order to have enough live situations to play it's absolutely necessary that you live in a resort, hopefully a year-round one. If I were you I'd expand my percussion capabilities and also learn to play the steel drums.

Good luck, you're gonna need it.

 

[crawdad]

I've been making money playing music since I was 14 and I'd only recommend it if you have no choice. Sounds like you are in that situation. Here is what you should do. First, decide to find a good paying gig playing whatever is required. Call every agency in town, talk to all working bands, even if they are a cover, lounge or wedding band. Network. Do fill ins. Do whatever anyone asks, and you will find a working situation. Get your chops up so you can play any style of music.

Once you get that far, figure out where you'd like to go from there. If you have days free, seek out other creative people you can collaborate with--if you want to go for the recording deal/group. If thats the route you want to take, get a product and learn the ins and outs of the music business ASAP.

If you don't take to the idea of touring and traveling, get yourself a program you can teach and learn to offer your service in a unique and inspiring way.

Last, watch the clock. Set your goals based on what you dream of being. If you don't succeed by the time you are close to 40, you'll know enough about putting a wedding band together and you can be the leader, claiming the larger portion of the checks.

Its a tough road. If you have real passion, follow what excites you most. It just may lead you to others who are burning with the same passion. I wish you the best and hope your dreams do come true.

 

[mastahnke]

If you are into writing songs, try radio jingles. The pay isn't great, but you can whip out a 30 second deal in a few hours that will make you 500$ or more. It's hard to get in, but once you are in I hear you can do it pretty often. Of course, you will have to buy decent equipment and master the art of cheezy radio jingle harmony, but I am just trying to throw you a bone.

--MIKE

 

[mikeh]

Since you posted in the songwrite forum - I assume you want to make a living as a writer. In which case you're in for a hard road. Options as a writer would include - jingles, music for industrial videos, music for video games, sound design, music for film (yes including porno), and maybe songwriting.

However, all of these are hard to break into and there are very very talented people looking for the same work.

If you want to support yourself through music, you should plan on several sources of income - gigs with cover bands, teaching, working in a music store, whatever it takes. Don't plan on a 20 hour work week - you will probably spend more time than in a normal 40 hour day gig. All that to support yourself while you are trying to get your writting going.

I believe it is possible to gross $20k to $40k per year as a professional musician - but you need to work your tail off, market yourself shamelessly and obviously have talent.

I was a professional musician for several years and have been semi-pro since the early 70's. I still do about 50 gigs a year, run a demo studio, work part time in a music store (and work a full time day gig) - Sleep is highly over rated!!!

 

[chazba]

IMHO

My Advice....
Go back to college or High School and finish up. Major in Business,
with a degree an Business Mgt you can go anywhere and do anything. Play weekends, Max of 5 nights a month. Stay off drugs and alcohol, they will only cause you to overestimate your talent which carries a lot of risks. Find a girlfriend who won't lie to you. Learn to treat your girlfriend or whatever well. If you can get 'em to stick around they make good allies.
rockon....chazba