Jumping in .. maybe..

[Mazzhole]

I've been contemplating leaving the corporate world and taking the plunge into drums and doing it full time. Teaching/gigging/sessions. Who out there is doing it? Anyone done it recently? I'm freshly married and the wife is down with it. If anyone is looking for advice on marriage... Find a hot musician and marry her!! Believe me!! anyways.. I have a mortgage and bills just like everyone else so making this step has to be financially sound before anything else. another question.. I'm looking to get into an agency to get some wedding/corporate gigs. Does anyone know of any services out there that I could get involved with as a sub and then maybe step into something full time? I'm in the Northeast but any names would get me in the right direction. looking for advice/tips/experiences........ Thanx in advance..

[Vdrummer]

If you don't already have a steadily working band that you've been involved with for awhile, leaving a secure position with benefits, a new wife and a mortgage is just simply nuts. Sessions? Session work is tighter than ever. Work at finding a band for weekend work, and once you find the right one, do your finances and see if you could make enough from that to cover your expenses. Don't do it the other way around.

[PocketPlayer]

What V Drummer said!

[cjbdrm]

I agree with Vdrummer also.

I've learned that it takes a lot more than talent and ambition to support oneself wholly in the music business. Yes, you can do it...but it's never been harder to do...

[drummin1]

Ditto...It sucks but it's true. It's harder than ever to actually make a living JUST playing drums. The few guys I know that do it all supplement with teaching (where you can make some good bread), or just barely scrape by. Barely scrapin's sorta cool when you're young, but not when just starting a family as you are. Is there a way to combine your corporate experience into something drum/music related?

[XNavyDrummer]

Musically, the only "sure-thing" out there is the military. Guaranteed pay, housing allowance, dental, medical, optical, retirement etc. Most of my work in the Navy was playing in jazz combos, rock bands and big bands.

Other wise, I'd say stay in the corporate world while building your music career, but don't let the day gig go until the music thing is looking really solid.

Good luck!

[tnsolt]

It's kinda ironic that this question was asked...
I just got accepted to University Il Chgo for jazz performance. The guy who heads the program is fairly well known, BUT its gonna cost around 16k AND Chicago is dry.

Drummin 1 says it sucks, wow that's an understatement

[got_a_matchgrip]

"What they all said!!!"

V has it right.

So does Andy w regards to the military.

If you haven't been or aren't already involved for a while in a serious musician network & can foresee gigs around the corner & up over the hill, don't look a gift horse in the mouth or jump ship to a smaller ship! [unless it's literally burning!]

Play in bands on the side in addition to your day gig, such as corporate functions/weddings/parties, or the occasional better club. SAVE AS MUCH DOUGH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN FIRST, for your bills, or a move [if you want to re-locate your day-gig to a new town, also possibly w better gig opportunities as well], & THEN some left over for a buffer or emergencies. Get your daily life going & secure [as much as you are able] b4 u even attempt to think of it. OH yeah, & stay FAR away from excessive "saucers," & the "unlicensed pharmacists"...

A sure way to a youthful divorce is to attempt what you're thinking. Financial strain AWA an uncertain outlook on the future early on in a marriage is one of the primary factors in a split in the first 5 [to 10 years]. I'm half-jesting...IOWs; many truths are said in jest...

[five eight]

Majority rules. Nine to five like it or nuts. Sounds like you've got a nice life/wife. Why throw it away? All the stars that never were are parking cars and pumping gas. Don't bullshit yourself with "I coulda been a contender" syndrome.

A woman will grow to disrespect a man she's supporting quicker than he (or she) thinks. She comes home from work, he's still in his pajamas and "What have you done today, honey, except watch Jerry Springer?"

Disrespect=divorce. Mental anguish is tougher when you're looking for a job and a cheap apartment (the woman gets to keep the house.)

[PocketPlayer]

What 5/8 said! [img]eek.gif[/img]