This topic might seem like a wet blanket as we all try to hone our craft as drummers, but I was wondering since so many of the drummers on this site are in the age bracket of 18-30 what some of are you doing financially aside from playing. If you’re not working on a career path outside of the drums that will provide some security for you later down the road, it’s something to think about.

I know too many very talented musicians who lived for the moment and about the music that should be retiring now, but will never be able to (a lot too who will not be able to even collect social security because they never worked for a company who collected it from their wages). Sadly, they’re not the happiest folks to be around at times and they're scared about the future.

I tend to think there comes a point (if you haven’t made your millions in music) that you have to ask yourself: At what point do I make music my hobby?








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Alden Merrill

Ford Drums
Zildjian Cymbals, Aquarian Heads
Vater, Cappella and Vic Firth Sticks
Proudly playing drums crafted in the USA.

I realized drums were not going to be my career along time ago and accept it. It is still my lifestyle, so I won't allow my job or career to prohibit me from playing.
I say it starts being a hobby when your life stops revolving around playing; instead playing revolves around your life.








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Atmerrill wrote:

This topic might seem like a wet blanket as we all try to hone our craft as drummers, but I was wondering since so many of the drummers on this site are in the age bracket of 18-30 what some of are you doing financially aside from playing. If you’re not working on a career path outside of the drums that will provide some security for you later down the road, it’s something to think about.

I know too many very talented musicians who lived for the moment and about the music that should be retiring now, but will never be able to (a lot too who will not be able to even collect social security because they never worked for a company who collected it from their wages). Sadly, they’re not the happiest folks to be around at times and they're scared about the future.

I tend to think there comes a point (if you haven’t made your millions in music) that you have to ask yourself: At what point do I make music my hobby?

When I had my daughter, I knew then that it was only ever going to be a hobby. I would have loved to go on and try to make it but as a teenager with a child I had to look at my responsibilities to my family first. I've gone on to get my BA in business and work for a great company. I am starting on my Masters program this month. That has aloud me the opportunity to look at opening a shop in my area, so I can work with my passion everyday. That said, I know I am not talented enough as a drummer to get the big gigs and studio work, so I am trying to make my own path to success in the industry.








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SilverFox HR Sticks, Medicine Man rebuilt PDP Snares, PDP Drums, Zildjian, Meinl, Po Boy Cymbals, DW and Pearl Hardware and pedals

I'm going to Film School right now and want to go into indie filmmaking, but I definitely intend to continue drumming as well, as a career. I feel I can balance both.








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This could only be more awesome if it had tits and was on fire.

Wow! talk about a reality check! Damn Atmerril...i do admire the size of your balls(in a strictly non homo way) for posting this. For me, when i started losing my hair, gaining weight and realizing i'm most likely not going to be next year's breakthrough artist at the Mtv awards. That's a tough question to answer. The point i'm at now..music is not only a hobbie but free therapy. I've seen people here complain about playing for peanuts..well..I'll play for free anytime just because of my passion and satisfaction of playing live. I think everyone also reaches a point to where they want to try different things just for fun which is why i just put together a Rush tribute band...something I've wanted to do for 20 years and i'm doin it now. It's not ALL about being rich and famous or original and groundbreaking...if you're happy in your basement playing along to your favorite songs... then THAT'S a success story in my book. Shogun








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Atmerrill wrote:

This topic might seem like a wet blanket as we all try to hone our craft as drummers, but I was wondering since so many of the drummers on this site are in the age bracket of 18-30 what some of are you doing financially aside from playing. If you’re not working on a career path outside of the drums that will provide some security for you later down the road, it’s something to think about.

I know too many very talented musicians who lived for the moment and about the music that should be retiring now, but will never be able to (a lot too who will not be able to even collect social security because they never worked for a company who collected it from their wages). Sadly, they’re not the happiest folks to be around at times and they're scared about the future.

I tend to think there comes a point (if you haven’t made your millions in music) that you have to ask yourself: At what point do I make music my hobby?

I've been asking that question for years. For me, I really cannot walk away from over 25 years of playing professionally and making money. Yeeah, I don't make a pile of bread, but I'm getting smarter. I pad my income by doing other creative services such as website design, graphics, video editing, etc. Anything that I can do from my laptop really. And I carry that with me 24/7 so I have no excuse to NOT work. **note to self- gotta lay off the Q4!!**








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13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

My mother always supported my drumming but also always told me to have a back up. i went into the Navy when I was 18 and learned electronics and did that after I got out, then I went to school for video game design and I'm now a game tester in addition to building custom drums.








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www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

Empyrean Drums wrote:

I say it starts being a hobby when your life stops revolving around playing; instead playing revolves around your life.

Excellent quote. I love music and playing the drums but I always had other priorities, so I always knew that music was never going to be a career for me. Drumming is something I will always have in my life but will never be high on my priority list.

Drums always have been a hobby... I was 26 before I got my first set of drums, so I already had the stable job in IT with social security and other benefits. I'm a guitarist first and foremost, and I'd drop it all for a big money gig, but music's my therapy and I'm quite content to play for a few notes here and there to support my gear lust. Sure I'd love to play in front of 8000 people instead of 80 on a regular gig, but at the end of the day I just love playing, it's great escapism from the doldrums of the office.








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I guess I'm one of the few that is trying to become a professional musician. I've never known anything besides music. Most of my life revolves around the arts and "non-conformist" occupations. I write a lot, and I play poker for money. So, my financial future is very sketchy, but If I play my cards right, I can be well set for my life.

Homki890








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music has always been a hobby for me, which is probably why no one wants a band with me because im upfront about it, i do it for fun only and never played a gig in my 15years of playing music(mostly guitar). i am a machinist running grinders and love my job, may sound weird but no gig could ever replace my job.

i was thinking lately maybe starting a top 40 band just to get out and use some of the talent i have.....who knows.......for some reason i never minded drumming or playing guitar solo.

I'm sort of a professional hobbyist. I tried real hard at 18/19 to make a living of it, but I ended up in debt just acquiring gear. NEVER EVER buy gear on credit.

It's weird. I've done enough work that if I wanted to, I could be a regular working pro. I know all the working guys in town, they know me, and they don't hate me. But having done enough of it to know what that life would be like, I think in my heart I know I'm just not cut out for the hours, the lifestyle, the worldview. Even the pros make me feel a little uncomfortable ... the crass -- sometimes racist -- jokes, the bad mouthing of other pros (usually other friends of mine), the seeming loss of passion for making music, the lack of concern how the hours and lifestyle impacts their relationships at home. I don't think those guys started out like that. Not everyone's like that, of course, but I find it hard for me to not be affected by it.

There was a time in my life where I would have felt like a failure if I didn't turn out to be Vinnie Colaiuta Jr., but time and reality have sort of allowed me to get over that. Every now and then I pick up my sticks and feel like I've failed myself a little. It quickly passes though and I can merely enjoy playing.









Last edited by Gaddabout on Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

Empyrean Drums wrote:

I realized drums were not going to be my career along time ago and accept it. It is still my lifestyle, so I won't allow my job or career to prohibit me from playing.
I say it starts being a hobby when your life stops revolving around playing; instead playing revolves around your life.

I am so stealing that quote.








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13612
www.billraydrums.com
www.myspace.com/billraydrums

i wouldnt call it a hobby with me...
more like my passion...
been playing for over 4 years and i just love it the same as i did when i first started








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Pearl drums
Pearl Hardware
Ahead Joey J signature sticks and gloves
Zildjian ZXT, Adievis, Z cymbals

the only things that bothers me about being a drummer is in order to play live shows you have to worry bout someone else to play the other instruments. the ppl that suck are the only ones that wanna play out FUCK