Barking Spiders Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 So of those peeps who love playing music there are those whose ambition is to crack it as a musician -but not necessarily to be a rock star - and those happy enough to have regular job while dabbling on the side. Speaking for myself I've never had that single mindedness needed to be a successful one and I've a low boredom threshold. I've not been here long, so who are the pros and who are hobbyists? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Wannabe here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 (edited) I've always had a day job, but at the same time been in original touring bands, and weekend cover bands. Currently have a mon-fri day job, have a weekend covers band, and an original project gearing up for gigging.... Edited August 12, 2016 by LewisK1975 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I do pro gigs and hobbyist gigs, and I've got a 'proper' job. It's just gigging, innit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Formerly a full-time pro, I now have a 45-hour proper job, but still regard myself as a pro, try to have a pro attitude wherever I play, still a Union member etc. I have to say, this way is WAY more fun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I'm a great big dirty Pro! Ha! My bass & music are my sole income. Ticking along and my accountant is happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Train driver/instructor here. Regular weekend gigs. Would love music to be a full time income but got a feeling I've got the best of both worlds, financial security and gigging. Happy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Content to play a few gigs each month. Never had any aspirations to "make it". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hobbyist for me. I did have huge aspirations for our teenage band to make it, then for me to be a session musician, and then a music teacher, but eventually life got in the way of that so I can only now find the time to play for my own enjoyment or to entertain my kids, which is fine by me for the moment. Once I stop touring the world with work and settle into a more regularly scheduled job then I'll have the opportunity to form / join a band and then see what happens. But for now, it's just me, practicing on my own, and doing whatever exam / grade / diploma I can get my hands on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 My day (or night) job is an Electrician on the Underground. My music activities are purely hobbyist, as a band we pick and choose when to rehearse and when we want to gig. We are quite lucky as a band that in the local area we know a couple of promoters that will always slot us into one of their venues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBerriff Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hobbyist who to my surprise ended up semi-pro. I play for the enjoyment but I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to play in a decent band. I did leave it a bit late in life but the day job and my lack of confidence got in the way of anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddBass65 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Former semi-pro, combining roadie/sound tech job with gigging, currently a much happier hobbyist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Playing/gigging is my hobby. I have a full-time job, so fit music around it - and have to say my work are very accomodating. Just because I`m not doing it for a living doesn`t mean I don`t do it in a professional manner though. We gig all over the country, and support bands that we`ve liked since we were kids, watching them on Top of The Pops. If we didn`t approach it with a professional outlook I`m pretty sure such gigs wouldn`t be offered again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 +1 Lozz It's not your status that matters it's your attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I think "semi-pro" is an important category. I started out as a hobbyist and without really realising it, worked my way up to weekend warrior and then ended up as a semi-pro. I was gigging about twice a week, all over the country, went part-time at work and seriously thought about giving up the day job. But... I decided the day job was easier. Anyway, I was made redundant and now spend most of my time going on holiday. No real intention of gigging again as too much stress is not good for my chronic health condition. Spend most of my days (when not on holiday) playing the flute... but girding up me loins to pick up the bass again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hobbyist with a professional attitude For the record, 35 years have taught me that there is no irrefutable link between a musician's ability and their status as professional or otherwise. I know a lot of people who are great musicians who have other jobs and I know a lot of pros who are making a living from music because they are great hustlers not great players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hobbyist - happy gigging a few times a month. Would like bigger gigs but probably couldn't commit the time to gig sufficiently to get widely known enough to be offered them. Currently content with getting the pub rocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hobbiest here. Play a few gigs a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Early retiree on BBC pension, supplemented by income from gigs, no idea what that makes me except bloody lucky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hobbiest, tho we do some professional gigs, usually as a support. Regular paid gigs about once a month as well. I spend far more on my gear rehearsing and recording etc than I earn from the gigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 (edited) [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1471007338' post='3109951'] Early retiree on BBC pension, supplemented by income from gigs, no idea what that makes me except bloody lucky! [/quote] Sorry, for clarity for those of us under 30, what's a pension lol? Edited August 12, 2016 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 The under 30s should be hard at work, noses to the grindstone, etc, to pay for our lives of 'luxury' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 [quote name='Barking Spiders' timestamp='1470989721' post='3109759'] so who are the pros and who are hobbyists? [/quote] Born again hobbyist aiming at OM nights locally. I like to play and try to improve as a musician but only for the sake of enjoyment. Not embarking on a career, a formal education or owt else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1470994111' post='3109797'] I do pro gigs and hobbyist gigs, and I've got a 'proper' job. It's just gigging, innit. [/quote] Maybe so but that appearance in the BBC battle of the bands thingy was class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Former wannabee (a long time ago), now hobbyist, hopefully with the right attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.jpg.7e18f76540598a8efc0e6ca9be453059.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.