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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Registered: 08/20/03
Posts: 8,657
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 12 years, 8 months
Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where
    #3040287 - 08/23/04 04:34 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

I don't know where to start on this one. I feel like I'm going no where fast. I've had this job for almost a month now, and already I'm sick of it. I can't stand it. I hate my job and everyday I'm there I'm uncomfortable and I want to quit. It's also not a whole heck of a lot of money, and although I don't require all that much, what I'm making just doesn't cut it.

Finding another job let alone a job with better pay is next to impossible. For those who don't know, I have my bridge and septum pierced, and I won't take them out. Well the septum I could, but I really don't want to, and it doesnt matter because my bridge isn't healed yet and I wont be able to take it out for quite a while. I have no post secondary education, all I have is my high school, and my marks in that were quite poor.

When I was younger my parents were always like "Do what you want. You're smart and you can do anything you want" and all that. They had plans for me to go to university but I did so shitty in school I don't think i'd even be able to get in. I thought about re-taking some high school courses to get my marks up. I know I could do great in school, but for some reason I cant. I always have problems doing things. Mostly in english. In many classes I cant focus or pay enough attention, and then in stuff like english I usually don't answer questions because they arn't black and white like in math or science. It's always a grey type of thing and I don't want to sound stupid and be wrong and it just makes school very difficult for me.

So what I want to do is music. It's what I love. Even working in a record store wouldn't be that bad, but it's difficult to get hired there. Many people want the job and people rarely quit. But I want to do something in music. I want to further myself musically and become a really great musician, it would add meaning to my life and I know I would be happy doing it.

So what does my dad tell me? "Music?! You can't make money in music!". Ever since he's came to the realization that I'm not going to be going to university he wants me to become an electrician. It's a trades job, you make ok money, and there will be a huge need for trades people soon.

But I want to do music! And with the job I have now I don't make enough money to be able to pay for good lessons and have enough time commit myself to music to the point that I would like to. I work nightshifts, and I usually sleep a decent amount because my job is just manual labor. I throw big boxes and shit around and am always walking and shit and sometimes after work I walk an hour home. I've lost some weight which I'm happy about, but it's physically draining. Not only that but I hate it so much and since I feel like I'm going nowhere fast, it's mentally draining. It's just consuming my soul and I hate it and then when my dad says something like I can't get anywhere with music it's horrible.

What the hell should I do?!

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Invisibleadrug

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 15,800
Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3040295 - 08/23/04 04:36 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Be an electrician who is in a band.

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InvisibleAbstractHarmonix
Love is like a train...
Female

Registered: 07/08/04
Posts: 3,509
Loc: The Sea
Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3040354 - 08/23/04 04:50 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

No worries my good friend!

All you need to do is throw yourself into another situation.  When ever I get sick of my job, the people around me, my location, the weather, whatever, I just pick up and leave.

If you don't give a shit about your material possessions, eating three meals a day, and not wiping your ass then you should travel. There are many wonderful wondering wanders out there (like myself :smile: )who are living each day for the air that we breath.  I live each day to wake up to the trees, and to the endless sky abroad.

I refuse to wake up each day to a job of which I feel compelled to recieve a pay check.  Do that for a month or two, then ride the fuck out for a month or two.

About your job, unless you have no bills, simply wait for another offer.  If you dont have bills, pick up a trade and ride out.

A few years ago, my father told me the same crap about music.  I was involved in many commercial art projects around my community, and was known for my watercolors, and when my dad found out i was quitting all my art classes to excel in music, I got my ass chewed out.

When persuing music, you must be careful.  Right now i am looking for the right music school.  i was accepted to Stetson university, whihc is a mainly music and law school in Florida, but i declined.  Florida first private university, over 20,000 dollars per year.  Sick.  So I said fuck that.  I have 3 college credits as of right now, and one of those is Music Theory.  this is an imperative class for music education enhancement. 
Music is definitely not an easy way out, and requires many hard and demanding classes for a degree.  And becareful, when persuing music as a profession, sometimes it is just better left as a hobby.

I am currently looking for a music school, anywhere in the world.  I have a couple scholarships and big dreams.  We will see where it takes me.

I get the feeling from your post like you are stuck...If this is so, you should just take off and see the world.  Or go somewhere new, check it out.  try to find a job in another location.

Liberate yourself!  dont be afraid to do what you want.  We are young, and the family is strong.  Karma takes care of us my friend.  the rest of your destiny is up to you....

Much love my friend.  Hope your mind eases itself with time, and with whatever decisions you plan to make for yourself...AND never ever let anyone get you down about your desires.  If music is your bag, then GET IT!  Dont let anyone tell you it isnt worth it, or there is no money in it.  Passion doesnt scream for money, and thats why there really isnt money in it.  And if you are true to music, money aint nothing but a thang.

-Ares


--------------------
A plethora of music aspirations control my temptations of future revelations beyond "now". The percussion, and the heart beat of my love and devotion. The rhythm goes beyond, prying into the third eye, releasing the creativity held so far inside. The melodicies, through the out of tune pianos and broken classical guitars...there lies a beauty. A beauty as prevelent as the fire inside. To release these energies is pure ecstacy, to deveop these gifts is sacred. The vocality, so pure as can be, shying away from herself, lies within me. For the underlying serenitity, this is what I live for. I plea for harmony, and nothing more. Music equals love. Creation of love leads to the procreativity of the World, and it's spirals and puddles prevailing.

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: AbstractHarmonix]
    #3040388 - 08/23/04 04:59 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

The only problem is I need money to help me further my music.

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Anonymous #1

Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3040411 - 08/23/04 05:10 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

my advice is to go for the vocational training. get a trade skill. music is great for many things, but making a living generally ain't one of them. hell, really getting into making music is probably going to cost you money, but there isn't anything wrong with that as long as you have a real source of income (unskilled labor is not one of them).

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InvisibleAbstractHarmonix
Love is like a train...
Female

Registered: 07/08/04
Posts: 3,509
Loc: The Sea
Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3040441 - 08/23/04 05:23 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Why? Go to your local educational institute and sit in on some classes. Find a friend doing music, and hook up with them. Do you need money for the instruments? There are always mad deals on slightly dysfunctional instruments and such...money is just paper my friend. Just paper...


--------------------
A plethora of music aspirations control my temptations of future revelations beyond "now". The percussion, and the heart beat of my love and devotion. The rhythm goes beyond, prying into the third eye, releasing the creativity held so far inside. The melodicies, through the out of tune pianos and broken classical guitars...there lies a beauty. A beauty as prevelent as the fire inside. To release these energies is pure ecstacy, to deveop these gifts is sacred. The vocality, so pure as can be, shying away from herself, lies within me. For the underlying serenitity, this is what I live for. I plea for harmony, and nothing more. Music equals love. Creation of love leads to the procreativity of the World, and it's spirals and puddles prevailing.

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: AbstractHarmonix]
    #3040588 - 08/23/04 05:59 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

I have instruments. But I want lessons for drums so I can learn to play them well, and I want bass lessons to improve on that. I'm not too worried about guitar, it's my third concern right now. I don't know. I don't care about making a shit load of money, I just want to be able to do what I like which is music, even if it just barely gets me by.

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InvisibleAbstractHarmonix
Love is like a train...
Female

Registered: 07/08/04
Posts: 3,509
Loc: The Sea
Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3040630 - 08/23/04 06:10 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

You dont need lessons. there are lessons on the internet, and practice by yourself and with other people all the time. You can self teach mmang! the tools are free and everywhere on the web, in the library, public education, etc! YEAH!


--------------------
A plethora of music aspirations control my temptations of future revelations beyond "now". The percussion, and the heart beat of my love and devotion. The rhythm goes beyond, prying into the third eye, releasing the creativity held so far inside. The melodicies, through the out of tune pianos and broken classical guitars...there lies a beauty. A beauty as prevelent as the fire inside. To release these energies is pure ecstacy, to deveop these gifts is sacred. The vocality, so pure as can be, shying away from herself, lies within me. For the underlying serenitity, this is what I live for. I plea for harmony, and nothing more. Music equals love. Creation of love leads to the procreativity of the World, and it's spirals and puddles prevailing.

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OfflineBarbi
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Registered: 04/22/02
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3040667 - 08/23/04 06:22 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

your dad speaks of the 'cold harsh reality' of the world that most kids out of highschool dont want to see.

There is no money in music unless you areone in a million int eh right place at the right time.

You need to sit down and decide if you really want to be making 7 bucks an hour at 40 years old or not.

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Barbi]
    #3040792 - 08/23/04 06:57 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

No. You've missed the point entirely. Go back to OTD.

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OfflineBarbi
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3040836 - 08/23/04 07:07 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

No I didnt. I'm backing up the reality of your situation. you either deal with life and follow the rules, or deal with the consequences of choosing otherwise.

In your scenario, you either get a real job and a trade to support your music hobbies until hopefully you one day 'make it' Or hav a series of shitty jobs for the rest of your life while trying to make it, and be 40 making 7 bucks an hour.

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Invisibleentheoindole
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3040892 - 08/23/04 07:18 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

I love music. I've been playing guitar since I was 13. I can pick alot of things up by ear. I sang for a band in my late teens and early twenties. Now I am nearing the end of my twenties.

I grew away from the guitar and found a new love; the sitar! Music is the greatest form of art to me! But it is not something I would want to cheapen by making it a commodity. That's just my opinion though...

Music is art, just let it flow. Don't force it! If you do you will only be disappointed and frustrated! Take your dad's advice; find some way to make money; work sucks, trust me I know! But the way this world is organized you don't have much of a choice.

Give yourself some time to grow into your artform. If you can make money doing it, GREAT! But don't let that be your soul purpose for creating art! It won't be sincere or true to your inner-being...

Music is a noble pursuit! It brings joy to so many people. And is so flexibly plyable! Not like any cut and dried product that corporations try to sale you! (This is why I hate MTV so! They cheapen music tremendously!)

Work hard and play harder! One day your dreams will manifest in to being and all of your hard work will make more sense to you!

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OfflineUnenlightenedOne
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Registered: 08/11/04
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Barbi]
    #3040945 - 08/23/04 07:26 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Quote:

No I didnt. I'm backing up the reality of your situation. you either deal with life and follow the rules, or deal with the consequences of choosing otherwise.

In your scenario, you either get a real job and a trade to support your music hobbies until hopefully you one day 'make it' Or hav a series of shitty jobs for the rest of your life while trying to make it, and be 40 making 7 bucks an hour.




I have to agree with mndfreeze.Even if you make it big in music these days,.you're still broke.So many music stars end up filing bankruptcy.The world is cold and harsh once you become an adult.If you want to follow your dreams go for music but expect to starve and generally not make it.If you're lucky you may just barely scrape by.Or else your only choice is to work a regular job with steady reliable pay.I personally have alot of freedom.I work for myself and I do just fine.I fix comps part time for a meager living.Enough money to get by well enough but not too much work time that its bothersome.

I am only fortunate to do what I do because I have many many years of experience and knowledge with comps.I have a good trade skill.granted I could easily work for a company and make about 20 dollars an hour but Im definitely not the 9 to 5 type.

At the least find a balance between something you enjoy and something that pays the bills.


--------------------
Do not desire to reach a high level.Rather work without thought of reward to iron out flaws and impurities in one's self for the sake of one's self.When one has done this one needs not to desire anymore. http://www.lifeforceonlinestore.com/yc/

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3042753 - 08/24/04 03:02 AM (19 years, 6 months ago)

I've decided to work a bit less and get music lessons and play during the day while looking for a different job. That should give me something to do.

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OfflineCaRnAgECaNdYS
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: UnenlightenedOne]
    #3042961 - 08/24/04 05:46 AM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Quote:

UnenlightenedOne said:
Quote:

No I didnt. I'm backing up the reality of your situation. you either deal with life and follow the rules, or deal with the consequences of choosing otherwise.

In your scenario, you either get a real job and a trade to support your music hobbies until hopefully you one day 'make it' Or hav a series of shitty jobs for the rest of your life while trying to make it, and be 40 making 7 bucks an hour.




I have to agree with mndfreeze.Even if you make it big in music these days,.you're still broke.So many music stars end up filing bankruptcy.The world is cold and harsh once you become an adult.If you want to follow your dreams go for music but expect to starve and generally not make it.If you're lucky you may just barely scrape by.Or else your only choice is to work a regular job with steady reliable pay.I personally have alot of freedom.I work for myself and I do just fine.I fix comps part time for a meager living.Enough money to get by well enough but not too much work time that its bothersome.

I am only fortunate to do what I do because I have many many years of experience and knowledge with comps.I have a good trade skill.granted I could easily work for a company and make about 20 dollars an hour but Im definitely not the 9 to 5 type.

At the least find a balance between something you enjoy and something that pays the bills.




I agree with both.
Sometimes you have to accept reality as is!


--------------------

The secret to being funny is to say smart things stupidly, or is it stupid things smartly? Whatever..it's not rocket surgery...or something like that.

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: CaRnAgECaNdY]
    #3045113 - 08/24/04 04:41 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Someone who devotes all her time to an online message board, who constantly checks her ratings, post whores, flirts with everyone, and starts up online relationships on a whim, is trying to tell me about reality.

Guess who has a job? Me.

Go get a job and spend some time with your kids.

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OfflineBarbi
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3046067 - 08/24/04 08:10 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

:wink:

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OfflinePhred
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3046073 - 08/24/04 08:11 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

That last post was uncalled for. She did nothing but agree with two other posters. Are you going to slam them as well?

If you weren't looking for people's input on your situation, why post here in the first place?

pinky


--------------------

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Phred]
    #3046177 - 08/24/04 08:39 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

No, because she's doing it to be a bitch, trust me.

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OfflinePhred
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3046205 - 08/24/04 08:46 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

And someone who was paying their first visit to this forum would reach the conclusion that she was doing it to be a bitch rather than to reinforce advice given by others?

The forum has rules. It would probably be a good idea to abide by them, don't you think?

pinky


--------------------

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Phred]
    #3046250 - 08/24/04 09:15 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

She was giving me some "friendly advice". I was just doing the same thing.

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3046262 - 08/24/04 09:17 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

This has run a bit off topic.

Anyways, I called up this dude today who is a really good drummer and teaches lessons here. So I phoned him about it and looks like I'm going to get in. He was just filling up his schedule and shit because September is when everyone goes back to school so yeah. I picked the perfect time for it all. It'll be fun stuff.

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OfflineCaRnAgECaNdYS
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3046842 - 08/24/04 11:42 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Tasty
I have done nothing but show compassion for everything you have done. I was not trying to be a Bitch. I understand I've hurt you, but trying to bash me on the boards on a subject you know nothing about is not going to solve anything. In the end your still going to be hurting and your going to have one less friend!

I hope you follow your heart, when your goals are reached....you will be happy!


--------------------

The secret to being funny is to say smart things stupidly, or is it stupid things smartly? Whatever..it's not rocket surgery...or something like that.

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OfflineGrav
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3047141 - 08/25/04 12:55 AM (19 years, 6 months ago)

You can get into alot of colleges nomatter what your highschool grades were.

I dropped out of highschool my junior year, got my G.E.D. im 21 now and have an Associates and am on my way to a Bachelors in Art. I pay for tuition all through School Loans and Financial aid.. they also give me some money to live on. You should check out the college situation around your area, it's a really stimulating environment to get into.

I'm very into writing music myself. I play guitar and bass, and am learning percussion on a used electronic drumkit i just got. I record things on a 4-track, and hope to get my computer rigged to mix and write cd's. But there's a shitload of things I need... I need a pc software, I need a mixer, i need a keyboard, other synthesizer equipment, as well as alot of free time to create and whatnot.

All this summer I did 35-40 hours being an opener at McDonalds. Getting up at 4 a.m. and usually not getting out till 2 pm. I would come home, rest from being tired, get up and pace around aimlessly, and then before I knew it (around 8 pm) I'd have to go to sleep again to get up early in the morning the next day.

My creativity was drained. All I wanted to do in my spare time was rest and just savor 'not being at work', and couldnt bring myself to write or work on a music material. Taking your art seriously requires alot of breathing room I think. And you can't really do that if your always on breaks from hauling a stone slab.

I definately felt "stuck". It felt like I would be doing that shit forever. But hey.. summer ENDED, and I'm on my way back to school full-time in a few days.

The thing I had to do was keep reminding myself that I was working for a reason. To get to where I am now in further pursuit of what I want. It may feel like a waste, but working hard in any situation reflects how far you're willing to drive yourself to achieve something.

It sounds like what's frustrating you is not what you're doing, but that you haven't formulated a plan for yourself, but it sounds like you're really looking into that now.

You have to be realistic though. If you want to make music you need time and money. Neither of which you're gonna get much of doing low-wage manual labor. Learning a real skill doesn't sound like such a bad idea. You know you will always have music - you're not gonna lose it by learning something else first. While you're learning a good practical skill to earn a living, you can also be getting better at your instruments(s), so by the time you've saved up enough cash to take some time off to write and explore or whatever, you'll be ready to.

Check out some universities, check out your options, and have patience. Getting where you want to takes serious time and effort for anyone.

Oh yea, as far as the shitty work, this may sound corny but it helps to take your job seriously. You have to get into the mindframe that you're not 'working because you have to', you're working because you 'choose to', cuz it's just the next step to get to where you want. Stay focused and feel good that you're putting in the effort that you are. You know alot of people run away from life, but you're not - you're looking towards the horizon - have some respect for yourself.

You're NOT stuck where you are now. You are free.

Hope i've helped.. believe me I've been the exact same place you are.
Good luck!

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Grav]
    #3047392 - 08/25/04 02:32 AM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Des - I never started this thread to bash you. But anyways I'm not even gonna talk about it.

Grav, most of what you described there is me. I play guitar and bass and am learning drums. I was thinking about buying a 4 track to make music on so I could even write my own shit. But I go to work and it's so tired and I sleep in because I'll be so tired from it and then it seems like it's time for work again.

I think learning drums will give me something to do and I plan to work very hard and practise a lot with them so that I can get good at it.

Thank you though. Your advice was good.

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InvisibleShroomismM
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3048104 - 08/25/04 10:34 AM (19 years, 6 months ago)

drums are fucken expensive

what is it about music that you want to "do"?
you want to be a professional, touring musician, who plays music for a living?
odds of that are about 1 in 300,000.. you've got a lot of competition.
be prepared to work your ass off and live off of ramen and water for a long time
the music industry is a cold, backstabbing place. if you actually want to make it you have to put all your energy into it, and don't let anything get you discouraged.
But you can't just start out living off your music overnight. First, you have to figure out where you want to 'make it' in music. Do you want to be a studio musician.. where artists hire you by the hour to record tracks.. or do you want to be in a band.. where you will need a band.. or do you want to write jingles and commercials.. there are many avenues in music.. but all of them take loads of dedication, perseverence, and passion. To get what you want you have to strive hard for it, cover every angle.

That being said in the meantime get a job. Unless you have a major record label pumping money into your pocket and sending you on tour right now, I really doubt you will make enough money to survive off your music. There is a process to making money from music, one after 7 years together my band has still not completely figured out.

tip 1 - it takes money to make money. you want to be a pro musician? ok.. but first you need instruments and amplifiers, which as we know costs good money. drums are outrageously expensive. (I think our band has spent over $6,000 on our drummer's kit alone) in order to make it anywhere in the music industry, you first need a press kit, containing bio, fact sheet, photo, and demo. best to have a professional recording. Figure that you're gonna have to sink a TON of money into your band, before you can ever even think about getting some back. When you first start out, you're not going to be playing any stadiums.. it's even possible that some people will make you pay to play shitty little clubs even though there may only be 2 people in the crowd.

tip 2- be prepared for disappointment, discouragement, setbacks, downers, bad stuff... the worst. It can and does happen. Better to be expecting it than to be caught off guard.

tip 3- work your freaking ass off. If you want it bad enough you just have to keep the dream alive and constantly be working towards your goal. nothing will fall in your lap and no one is going to do it for you. make it happen yourself. You have to want it bad enough, and work for it hard enough.

I won't lie to you, it's very hard to make a living in music. But if that's what you want, you can get it, if you put your mind and thoughts and energy into it.
In the meantime, I suggest you get a job that you can tolerate, and let music be something in your freetime. If it was meant to be it will work out that way anyway, just play with your band (or by yourself?), whenever you have time, and work on developing at least a 5 song set (for gigs and such), a biography, a press kit, and start thinking about recording a good quality demo, like in the studio, because without a demo, your band or solo project will likely go nowhere.

I've got tons of more advice and tips for you but unfortunately I have to go to work, and then I have band practice after work, so I'll catch you later.


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InvisibleShroomismM
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Shroomism]
    #3048309 - 08/25/04 11:24 AM (19 years, 6 months ago)

oh if you want to talk about not enough time and no money then talk to me.
I try and work about 40-60 hours a week, my girlfriend lives 25 miles away in another state, my band is trying to rehearse whenever we have time so we can finally record our album this fall, and that's just the basic stuff.. not counting having to mod 5 forums on the shroomery, maintaining the band website, emailing and calling bands and venues to book shows, making press kits and sending them out, and all the other things that suck my precious time away. It's times like these when a booking agent, a manager, and a promotion agency would be invaluable to me, but unfortunately I don't have those things, so I can only trust myself to secure them.
sleep is a precious commodity that I see little of.
food, I eat what I can get. I'm not picky so as to not waste away to skin and bones.
somehow I manaage to stay in a perpetual state of being poor, seemingly regardless of how much I work or make. This makes it hard for things, you know, like buying strings when they break, or getting your amp fixed, or buying a new tire for your tour van when it breaks down in baltimore.. random shit that requires money that happens ALL THE TIME.. I usually am too broke to afford. It sucks.

my life consists of
- my woman
- music

between those two things and work, time is not on my side. That's just something you learn to work around, use time whenever you have it. But there's always time for music. ohhhh yeahhhh... I've been living this way for about 5 years, and I still haven't learned my lesson. the life of the struggling musician is not healthy, but it sure is fun and quite the learning process. I wouldn't have it any other way. Music was my dream when I was 5, and it's my dream now. I live for the next time I get to play the music I put so much energy into, to a crowd of new listeners that enjoy music. There is no greater joy than sharing your musical creations with others who can feel it, and enjoy it. There is no better feeling than someone coming up to you after the show and saying how your music blew them away. For that and more all the crap is so worth it.


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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Shroomism]
    #3049110 - 08/25/04 03:32 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Sweet. I love ramen. Hehe. But yeah, good advice. And I don't mind playing shitty clubs to start. Fuck, I'd get on the phone and get everyone I know to tell everyone I know to go.

Money is a bitch. But I already have 2 guitars, a bass, a small crappy guitar amp, a good sized 200 watt bass amp which can handle small clubs, and my drums + my cymbals cost me a good $2000. So I have a good $6000 of gear.

Anyways thanks for the good advice and what not. :smile:

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InvisibleShroomismM
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3049637 - 08/25/04 05:35 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

sweet.. what about the rest of your band? do you have one yet?
sometimes it can be hard to find the right group of people, I just got lucky and started jamming with a couple close friends, who happened to be really good. we've been jamming together for a long time, so we click really well.

anyways.. sounds like all you need is another guitar amp or two, and you're about ready to start playing clubs. That is, provided you have a band and you guys have all your songs tight. Calling your friends and whatnot is good for your first couple shows, but if you start calling the same people for every show you'll start getting less and less people coming.

That's why promotion is key. Call your friends, tell them to call their friends, make flyers.. pass them out at places where musical type people hang out.. when you get a good show pump that show.. most venues want a guarantee of at least 20 people that are buying tickets from you.. if you sell like 4, and only 5 people show up.. they do not like that. Remember all the club cares about is how many tickets you sell or how many people you get in the door, preferably over 21. If you go under your quota there's a good chance you wont play there again and they may even talk to other clubs and prevent you from playing there too. Always overshoot and oversell tickets at first. A good reputation of getting a large crowd will get you more shows more easily.. and it is always good to build your fanbase, so promotion in every avenue is important.


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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Shroomism]
    #3050005 - 08/25/04 06:57 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

Thanks.

No band yet. Other then self improvement, that's probably the biggest thing in the way. I'm not quite sure how to meat other musicians and get working on projects and what not. That plus I'm not sure what kind of music I want to play. I wouldn't mind being in a couple bands. Lately I've been listening to a lot of punk, it's fun stuff. But at the same time it would be nice to be involved in something experimental or something more like Tool. I like different kinds of music so yeah.

Any ideas on how to start a band?

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InvisibleShroomismM
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3050291 - 08/25/04 08:05 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

well.. starting a band requires more time/effort/cooperation etc than joining an existing band that needs a musician. You have to determine the general type of music you want to play, then find people in your area who want to play that type of music. Then you have the whole issue of everyone's time schedule, starting a band from scratch, finding out one of your band members is a serial killer or just an asshole, getting into the 'groove' with the new guys.. sometimes it can be difficult, or doesn't work at all. sometimes it just clicks.

If you have a specific vision then I would say the best thing to do is write a few songs, find musicians you click with and being friends is necessary. There's always musicians looking to join/form bands so all you have to do is look. The internet is the best place to start. But often the people right next to you may be the one who can jam like a madman, so check your musician friends..

Then you could always join a band that's already developed and needs a guitarist/bassist whatever.. then you have the benefit of not going through the initial frustrations of starting a band, learning as you go type of thing.. but you must also be up to par and meet their expectations. I imagine that could be a good deal, as sometimes you can walk right into a good band who already has gigs/publicity etc, dont have to worry about all that crap, heh.

But it's really hard to say because people are generally flaky, and bands disintegrate all the time, so it's important that you share a common goal with your bandmates and that you are friends above all.

As far as self-improvement.. jamming with other people is one of the best ways to improve. I would also recommend the guitar grimoire books if you are looking at learning some theory. But just find some people to play music with and just go for it. It takes time and practice to get tight, and sometimes musicians work together and sometimes they don't. The point is to be open-minded and experimental, improvise all the time, be creative, and just let it flow. Don't get frustrated when everything goes wrong just see it as a learning experience, you can either quit, or gain wisdom from it and move on to the next obstacle with enthusiasm!

so basically.. find your band.. practice, practice, practice..


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OfflineWorf
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Tasty_Smurf_House]
    #3054364 - 08/26/04 04:49 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

I'd just follow your dad's advice. Get a trade of some sort. Then you don't have to work slave labor at some dead end job. It's not what you wanted to hear, but its probably the best way to let you do what you want to do.

But you are absolutely right, its damn near impossible to get an enjoyable job with good pay with little to no skills at all. If there is one, 50% of the population is competing against you for it. Getting some type of trade allows you to set yourself apart.

Most musicians aren't musicians first. They have jobs, and in their spare time they play their instrument, then they get good, form a band with other good people and thats how they start off.

Electricians, plumbers, or whatever, get payed good fucking money too. especially if you ever start your own business. You say money doesn't mean anything to you? But it allows you to do whatever you want, and that is music.

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OfflineTasty_Smurf_House
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Re: Shitty job, not enough time, and going no where [Re: Worf]
    #3055165 - 08/26/04 07:21 PM (19 years, 6 months ago)

I guess. I'll work for a year, decide what I'm going to do and save up some money. Till then it's practise, practise, practise. And when I'm not practising I should practise.

Drum lessons start on the 8th!

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