CAN YOU MAKE A LIVING FROM MUSIC? (And still be an artist?)

[@blutcherama]

I've been calling what most of us working musicians do "craft, not art" for decades. I have a hard time selling people on it, but it gets them thinking. Well done, Chase!

[@chasesanborn]

I don't suppose anyone would categorize playing in a cover band or performing on a jingle as art, but every musical performance requires craftsmanship, and there is artistic expression even when playing at a wedding. (Actually more so than most jingles.)

[@JeannieSargent]

A little bit about my experience on this topic: Working as musician back in the 90's gave me some realisations pretty quick. I didn't like the constant pressure and more often than not, people's bad attitudes. The gigs I liked playing were my own trio, my guys, my tunes, my calls - and my guys really loved playing in that group as well. With other groups or maybe someone needed a substitute for a night just always seemed to run into 'nah I really don't wanna do that' or 'nah i don't wanna play with so and so' and get really frustrated with it internally because I was doing it anyways. So much that I stopped playing for decades, it sapped everything I had artistically in order to cover rent or whatever else. I now work in tech and the salaries are very nice, I can afford whatever instrument I want (there are some limits of course), equipment etc.. and I have time to do artistic things which has been what I wanted to do all along. I have much respect for all those bangin' musicians with the sort of craftsmanship that can be flexible playing classical, big band, jazz, brass band, pops you name it and come home with a paycheck doing it. If I book something, I generally give all the money to whomever I play with - because what I love is the doing, that's my endgame, not money.

[@chasesanborn]

Despite what Confucius said about doing what you love for a living, subjecting your passion to the pressures of commerce has the potential to kill it, your case in point. One way or the other, art usually has to be subsidized, whether that is by monetizing your artistic talents, earning money some other way, or embracing the 'starving artist' lifestyle. (You better really love your art for that last one.)

[@creativehub1611]

Thank you for these videos. Your jazz trumpet book has been a lifesaver 👍

[@chasesanborn]

Glad to hear that! Thanks for saying so.

[@zroy9263]

I'm not a musician. Professional or otherwise. I'm an avid listener, student, serious collector, critic, and historian. As a result, I have plenty of friends and acquaintances who are Professional musicians. I know musicians who are in the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME and are living legends and millionaires and others who are highly talented and legendary, yet, are struggling financially. Then there are the Professional musicians who are talented and starving artists. Which are the majority! I've been a successful working-class Optician for over thirty years now. I enjoy what I do. However, I love music even more! I don't envy the life of a professional musician. It's extremely difficult in too many ways. It's a serious struggle. It's a vagabond existence. I hope that the music industry will find a way to take care of all struggling artists and musicians who rely on their skills and talents to survive. They bring great joy to my life.

[@chasesanborn]

There is a high degree of self-reliance and single-minded determination required to make a living with music or any art form. One should consider pursuing music as a profession if you cannot imagine any other path.

[@raul.a.playss6404]

Great video

[@chasesanborn]

Glad you think so!

[@francisj.opolko3728]

Question… as a trombone player , could I benefit from your books? (Ignoring the fact that it’s intended to be played by a Bb instrument)?

[@chasesanborn]

Most of the content in Brass Tactics and The Brass Tactics 6/60 Routine is applicable to all brass instruments, however the exercises are written in treble clef and from a trumpet perspective. Jazz Tactics is not instrument specific, other than the musical notation which is also in treble clef. The challenges of self publishing and distribution make it impractical to print different editions. Tuning Tactics and Music Business Tactics are not instrument specific at all.

[@eddy_is_crunchy5593]

Hey Chase! I’m 18 and about to go off to college to study music! I’m in the boat of “Play for others for some change, play my stuff for myself.” What are your thoughts on finding that balance of sideman vs. artist?

[@chasesanborn]

At 18, your entire focus should be on developing and expanding your musical ability, not on charting your career. As you gain skills and interact with peers, the spectrum of gigs will eventually appear on the horizon and you'll start to develop some vision of the right path for you. Embrace the unexpected--none of us knows what lies ahead and the best laid plans etc. Watch Patrick's video if you haven't already, linked in the description, and there are lots of other musicians on KZbin who are a few years ahead of you providing a glimpse into their musical lives. Their insights are probably more relevant to you than someone like me at the far end of my own career, but I expect you'll find some thoughts of interest in other videos on this channel.

[@eddy_is_crunchy5593]

@@chasesanborn Thanks so much!

[@trex1448]

You can but you have to be a hustler, extroverted, good with people, and organized. I've seen mediocre musicians make a good living and I've seen super talented musicians quitting to become real estate agents.

[@chasesanborn]

In terms of making a living, the business side of the music business is at least as important as the musical side. It goes along with the question of how much time and energy has to be expended in that direction, and therefore how much of each is left for devotion to the art. Of the things you mention, I'd put organization and people skills at the top of the list; being a hustler and or/extrovert somewhat further down. If you can do the job and are likeable, that's a good recipe. I've found the further up the musical 'food chain' you go, the nicer people tend to be. I don't think that's a coincidence.

[@normalizedaudio2481]

If your GF is a bass player, you don't have to work. She gets all the gigs. Sax players never get any gigs.

[@chasesanborn]

We could all use a benefactor...

[@ImHavingaCoronary]

J.S. Bach made a living as a musician, so guess he wasn’t an artist.

[@quintessenceSL]

Probably missed the numerous stories of Bach feuding patrons over content and style (as well as performers), and what he would have created if he didn't have those restraints... The bigger point, money always complicates the equation. Some can navigate it well. Several leave in disgust.

[@chasesanborn]

Obviously a different time and circumstance, and in any case I think (hope) we should not compare ourselves to the likes of Bach...