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#371697 - 09/06/13 05:06 PM
Play for money or People...?
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Senior Member
Registered: 01/02/04
Posts: 7305
Loc: Lexington, Ky, USA
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You'd think it would be an easy choice...the more people you play for, the more money is generated...right?
Not in my case; at least, not recently.
Now, two full days and nights a week are devoted to doing film scores...more like sound tracks, complete with tempo breaks, effects, etc. While lots of people eventually see the final product, the work is buried under the images and voice-overs. And, minimal folks are around when I am sequencing. These productions are used as proprietary tools to sell investment firms on the choice of an individual asset for portfolio managers, or as general "fluff" pieces about what's going on at the organization.
Most of my live play is in a dining room, at a State office or Corporate retreat where I'm playing second fiddle to a ham sandwich. Rarely is there any interaction between the diners and I.
I do 6 overseas trips a year. I play in a mansion lobby or a dining room; often for two people, who rarely even look my way.
Sounds awful...except...these are MAJOR MONEY JOBS! They pay many time more than lounge jobs and general private parties.
I guess you can't have everything. I only want to play what I want to play, and want to play with superior musicians, not as a single (something I have no choice but to do, often).
I won't play country, Buffet...lots of stuff.
NOW, I'm bitching about not playing for people.
I've basically played myself out of a job. Probably serves me right.
I have a new appreciation for the notion that music must be played for people, and that musicians draw from the reaction they get.
But, somehow, I can't bring myself to play for just anyone and play just anything.
Man, am I getting picky growing old.
Russ
Edited by captain Russ (09/06/13 05:13 PM)
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#371712 - 09/07/13 12:59 AM
Re: Play for money or People...?
[Re: DonM]
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Senior Member
Registered: 10/23/06
Posts: 1661
Loc: USA
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Drop all the low playing jobs, and just do the big money stuff, then you can play for free with a jazz band or whatever is fulfilling for you! What Don said here reminded me of one of my wisest music decisions. In the 90's, when the DJ takeover was happening, I fought it tooth and nail arguing with myself every day that I'm not going to give up playing live music...that I trained as a musician and that's what I'm going to be to right up to my expiration date! One day a friend said to me: "Don't you get it? You pay your bills with the money you make if you become a disc jockey and that, in turn, will give you the freedom to pick and choose your "live" jobs....and then you'll enjoy your playing even more. And that's what I did after that. Both live and DJ (and Karaoke). Interestingly, I thought I would be bored standing there spinning discs, and........I WAS bored! But that boredom caused me to start interacting more with the audience and before I knew it, I became an "entertainer." And....for the first time I was able to stand up to sing, and "breathe" properly, and my vocalizing improved even. Doing so many different things really helps you to grow in all areas of performance. I was lucky. I was able to move into something else that I not only really enjoyed doing, but it also......paid the bills! BTW Russ, I've enjoyed reading your many poignant posts over the years! Especially this one that gave me a lot to think about as someone who was approaching "burnout" at the time! http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread...sted#Post366334 (.......there are ways to make a really good living ($100,000.00, plus annually) by playing smarter, not necessarily better.) Mark
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#371726 - 09/07/13 07:14 AM
Re: Play for money or People...?
[Re: captain Russ]
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Senior Member
Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 2445
Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA
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Capt.
While your off doing your jazz thing or whatever playing only what you want and with the people you want can I fill in for some of those mega money boring jobs ?? I'd love to have some big money boring gigs. LOL 1
Don't cry hunger with a loaf of bread under your arm. Your one lucky guy to have the contacts and talent you do.
Do what you have to for $$$ and then put together a little group of who you want, and play what you want, probably for no $$$, just for your own satisfaction. Sort of reminds me of years ago Woody Allen playing clarinet with a Dixieland group every Tues. night. So happens he was up for a major award of some sort but decided to forgo the Tues, night awards ceremony so as not to miss the gig.
Good luck and do as DNJ said, I reccommend Makers Mark.
_________________________
Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer
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#371763 - 09/08/13 12:28 PM
Re: Play for money or People...?
[Re: captain Russ]
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Senior Member
Registered: 01/30/06
Posts: 3944
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You'd think it would be an easy choice...the more people you play for, the more money is generated...right?
Not in my case; at least, not recently.
Now, two full days and nights a week are devoted to doing film scores...more like sound tracks, complete with tempo breaks, effects, etc. While lots of people eventually see the final product, the work is buried under the images and voice-overs. And, minimal folks are around when I am sequencing. These productions are used as proprietary tools to sell investment firms on the choice of an individual asset for portfolio managers, or as general "fluff" pieces about what's going on at the organization.
Most of my live play is in a dining room, at a State office or Corporate retreat where I'm playing second fiddle to a ham sandwich. Rarely is there any interaction between the diners and I.
I do 6 overseas trips a year. I play in a mansion lobby or a dining room; often for two people, who rarely even look my way.
Sounds awful...except...these are MAJOR MONEY JOBS! They pay many time more than lounge jobs and general private parties.
I guess you can't have everything. I only want to play what I want to play, and want to play with superior musicians, not as a single (something I have no choice but to do, often).
I won't play country, Buffet...lots of stuff.
NOW, I'm bitching about not playing for people.
I've basically played myself out of a job. Probably serves me right.
I have a new appreciation for the notion that music must be played for people, and that musicians draw from the reaction they get.
But, somehow, I can't bring myself to play for just anyone and play just anything.
Man, am I getting picky growing old.
Russ Russ, Every day nearer to death and hell, look back old man have you enjoyed your lot, even though your not now look where have all those years that have gone, make the best of what you have now and if you don't need the brass, bin it all, enjoy what little you have left. You may be dead tomorrow and who will listen then, every day is a bonus. Man I am getting wiser by the day, I can see clearly through fog and bullshit now!! Here endeth the first lesson.
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#371764 - 09/08/13 02:42 PM
Re: Play for money or People...?
[Re: captain Russ]
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Senior Member
Registered: 09/21/02
Posts: 5520
Loc: Port Charlotte,FL,USA
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Amen brother
_________________________
pa4X 76 ,SX900, Audya 76,Yamaha S970 , vArranger, Hammond SK1, Ketron SD40, Centerpoint Space Station, Bose compact
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#371771 - 09/08/13 05:38 PM
Re: Play for money or People...?
[Re: Tony Hughes]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Every day nearer to death and hell, look back old man have you enjoyed your lot, even though your not now look where have all those years that have gone, make the best of what you have now and if you don't need the brass, bin it all, enjoy what little you have left. You may be dead tomorrow and who will listen then, every day is a bonus. Man I am getting wiser by the day, I can see clearly through fog and bullshit now!!
Here endeth the first lesson.
Truer words were never spoken, or put in print, Tony. BTW: Glad to see your shining name here again. I, for one, really missed you. Gary 
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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