Possibilities
So I've been thinking a lot lately about the whole college track and what I want to do with the rest of my life. I am not really much closer to knowing what I want to do than I was a year ago today. But the one thing that has changed is that there are a lot more possibilities than I previously thought
( Read more... )
I mean I have definitely pondered the idea of pursuing music. And I've discussed it with my dad since 9th grade. We've talked to so many musicians over the years about this exact thing. The majority say you need to get a teaching degree- it's just so hard to make it as a performer. And I'm not doubting the ability to be happy living dirt poor, but your point about raising a family is a good one. I think the reason society has taught us to mechanically pursue an educational degree is not to promote academic matters for academic sake and some blind principle, but because over time it's just been shown that it's the safer path and most often leads to happier outcomes. Maybe though, society has lost touch of what would be the true reality.
The other thing is, there are just SO MANY ridiculously sick players out there, and still a very very small amount get known. And I'm not talking about MTV known. I'm talking about creating even just a local following, or maybe finding the opportunity to tour a couple jazz clubs around the US. And even if that happens, that's hardly any money. For instance, I play in the BCC jazz band. What would a real musician be doing at a little thing like that, right? Well, there's this 23 year old there that is an absolute monster on piano, and took up sax 2-3 years ago. He is now one of the sickest sax players I have ever heard. It honestly blows my mind- he was jamming yesterday with some guys at rehearsal and I truly could have sat there for days listening to him. Yet, the only gig I know he has is playing at this dinky bar a little bit north of here. Equally, the leader of the band is an incredible tenor sax player and composer ( jasonhainsworth.com ). But here he is teaching a band of amateurs where you think he should be gigging for people that want to hear him (and I pretty much think that 23 year old is still better than him). And he is doing it cuz the money needs to come from somewhere. I'm sure he does enjoy teaching to a degree, but the guy is a player at heart and if he had the opportunity to tour with some bigger names he'd take it in a second. Fuck man, and even the best jazz drummers I've heard I KNOW constantly are looking for gigs, cuz they need the dough to survive. And these guys are some of the BEST I know. Where do you and I fit in?
Reply
I think here is the HAPPIEST and most optimistic viewpoint. Just because you go to school doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy playing music. It’s easy to have a nice slice of both worlds. Nothing is black and white (unfortunately society has adopted this mindset, especially with governmental issues, but I won‘t go into that). There is nothing stopping you from making a serious hobby out of guitar and going to school. Hell, I’m playing in a jazz band down here, up at Penn, gigging with some combos on occasion, and I have put together a cover band that plays the music and words of a band that speaks to me and moves me inside like NOTHING ELSE IN THIS WORLD (Steely Dan, check it out guys). Sometimes, I get to jam with my friends, too. Would I be happier if I ended up staying strong with music? I don’t know (and I didn’t) but I am very satisfied and happy with the balance I have now.
Ultimately, I just want to be happy. For me that means living comfortably with a family I deeply love, enjoying the profession I choose, staying close to family and friends, and to be able to look back upon my life when I’m too old to do anything and be proud and content with what I did with my life and how I contributed to society (that last Erik Erikson stage that we learned about in AP Psychology really helped me form a sensible outlook on life).
So that’s just my current 2 cents.
-Andrew Rogers
Reply
love, alex
Reply
-a rog
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment