Professional drummers

[jesse1]

Just wondering how many people on this board are currently making a living from playing the drums?

If so what are you all doing...ie small club gigs...Bands...Orchestral...Session work...Other? Or what combination of these things?

[beats]

Ive made money playing drums in all those settings but orchestral.I go thru brief periods of having that as a sole source of income,but generally ive had to hold down a day job(usually a night job),or shack up with a dumb girl.I regard my day job as my hobby,and my music life as my job.The goal is to pay rent/bills with drumming as the source of income,if anything becomes bigger,then its a bonus.I recieve residual/royalty checks every once in awhile from various bands/sessions/songs that have my rhythm imprint on them.Canada takes decent care of their musicians,easier to work on yer craft up here,and the talent pool is small,although there are GREAT drummers here......beats.......oh ya i occasionally teach 2 students,for cheap,cuz they love drums...

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 07, 2003 06:24 AM: Message edited by: beats ]</font>

[Dazzler]

Ello Jesse! Just to add my part to the question.. I have studied music at a number of colleges throughout England and now (I'm happy to say) make my living form playing/teaching the drums.

I have two schools that I visit and teach drums at during the day as a peripatetic drum tutor, but mostly I make my living from gigging. As I am a freelance musician, I get calls to play in a variety of different styles and situations ranging from pop to jazz, big bands, brazilian, salsa, funk etc.

I also do sessions, recording music for television and films and have also depped for West end shows in London.

Whenever people ask me what I do for a living, I always say that I know it's a cliche, but I truly do make a living for indulging my passion. We are all very lucky to play, love and be passionate about our chosen instrument. This is why forums like this are fantastic as it allows us, the drumming community to come together and discuss the developments of the drums and to hail the players that continue to excel, astound us and push the boundries of this great medium.

[dr-funkenstein]

i am doing a lot (to many) stomp-like corporate gigs, playing with my rawk and roll band for 20$/night and selling equip on ebay. my main bread, though is being a sub trash-can-drummer at EPCOT. . . . hey its a living.

[royerin]

Although I graduated in '97 and had some occasional drumming work, I didn't really start making a living from music until I moved to the U.S. towards the end of '98. Since then I've been playing in a wedding/corporate variety band, doing a church gig, working at Epcot, teaching, the occasional studio session (my favourite out of all but unfortunately the one I do the least...) and freelance gigs here and there.

[jonthibault]

"...but generally ive had to hold down a day job(usually a night job),or shack up with a dumb girl."

Beats, you rule.

[dr-funkenstein]

roy cameron is a sexy bastard in disney tights!

[royerin]

Yes Funkenstein, but not for much longer...I wonder if they'll let me keep the tights...?

[JosiahM]

I make all my money playing drums, a bellsing really to be able to make money doing what you love.. I must be thankful of this everyday.. though I do still live at home, i think it's great that i make as much as ai did or would with a part time job as i do playing drums.. i'm still trying to break into the whole money/drums thing