RANT - What SUCKS About Being a Full Time Guitarist (And What I Wish I Had Done Differently?)

[@johnhenrysguitar]

Full time guitarist for 4 years now in Austin,TX. It is awesome and I feel so lucky every day getting to pay my bills doing what I would do anyway.

[@peterhall4852]

I've given your channel a follow ,John. Being Austin based,I assumed Texas Blues....but I am really impressed with your music. I hope you manage to keep earning a living making music.

[@johnhenrysguitar]

@peterhall4852 thank you kindly! I appreciate the encouraging words. Best to you

[@bobfig]

John, I'm in my mid-50s and a fulltime bus driver. I've been yelled at, spat on, had stuff thrown at me, been threatened with violence by teenagers who, if there were no consequences, would be eating soup threw straws for the rest of their lives, and generally looked down upon by the 9 to 5 office crowd. Combine that with an ever-shrinking wage (in real terms) and a management group constantly seeking to cut costs and make my job even more crap than it already is... and it adds up to a great big pile of manure. Balding, and with more hair protruding from my nose than my head, I'd happily give my right - and possibly my left - nut to be a fulltime guitarist. As it is, I can only sit at home with my squier, bang out some pentatonic licks, and dream about what it might be like!

[@derelictconfusion9498]

I feel for you!

[@ondrarudolf1537]

You can make it!

[@BerndWeitzmann]

Any job sucks from time to time.

[@zThisPlay]

fr

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Yeah man, it’s true.

[@derelictconfusion9498]

My job sucks all the time!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Yep, full-time Musician for the past 20 years played over 4000 gigs and lessons full-time, college music professor. Doing it all with a wife and seven kids!

[@rhodriwilliams8111]

I’ve never chased gigs with other bands - the thought of learning different sets all the time just seems far too stressful. Instead, I’ve focused on building a brand here in South Wales, which has worked out quite well. It’s become a fun hobby that I balance alongside a proper job. Over the past few years, we’ve mainly played weddings on Fridays and Saturdays, and the gig money has been enough to keep me comfortable week to week. Would it ever go full-time? Honestly, probably not - unless a significant amount of consistent weekday work came in. Even then, I’d likely turn it down to avoid ‘burning the candle at both ends’. Would I quit my actual job? Absolutely not - I need a pension and financial security. Gigs can dry up, especially in January and February, which are notoriously dreadful months for bookings. I know plenty of people who try to make it as full-time musicians, but in today’s world, unless you’re in that top 0.1% playing major tours, it’s honestly far less stressful - and much more practical - to have a real job and play gigs on the weekends. Strangely enough, some musicians seem to take a sort of pride in ‘just doing music’, as if that’s the ultimate goal, but the reality is often a lot less glamorous than it sounds. Of course, gigging on weekends comes with its own challenges. You’ve got to have a really supportive partner who’s okay with you being out of the house for six hours on a Friday or Saturday night. It’s not for everyone, but with the right balance, it can be incredibly rewarding.

[@peterhall4852]

Are you really Chris Buck?😂😂😂😂

[@TrunkEight-g9n]

No dough in music since they phased out physical media. I got into publishing and did well enough to get a house, that industry died when physical media did. That was the end of the industry financially. Forget home ownership as a musician in this time without extraordinary luck. Those days are gone. Be an octopus, 8 tentacles in every branch of music production. recording producing, freelancing, live engineering, lighting, sessions, teaching at an established school or uni, etc etc Have many side hustles Oh, and for the love of God get your money out of the banks and into an investment portfolio management company. Once you crack 100k out there you can invest and get a stipend that will cover all your living expenses (@8% PA) and NOT lose your capital (Until blackrock takes a dump anyway) If you are a young man, learn a trade, and start fixing and flipping houses. Thats where the real money is, or maybe work on a mine somewhere for a few years, buy a shitbox apartment, do it up , flip it, rinse and repeat.

[@melvynplantmusic]

I was a coal miner in my early days.Back then I paid my mortgage and bills in the 70s 80s by gigging in bands in the U.K singing and strumming, playing rhythm guitar. Loads and loads of clubs and pubs midweek and weekends, full to the rafters at 8, I went from bands to doing solo gigs singing using dots with an organist and drummer 3/4 times a week in WMC, now you’re better off filling shelves in Tesco . Those days were golden and so much fun, then along came the Disco! And backing tracks..END!.. I was never at your technical skill level and admire your playing with envy but boy did I have a good time rocking, drinking and then sleeping with a grin, isn’t that the point? I hope it all comes back one day, when the hair stood up on the back of your neck on Saturday night.Fingers crossed you get what we got in clubland, some days were diamond, some were stone ,it was never Wembley but it would do for me!

[@cwyld5278]

Great perspective John. I went to school to study songwriting, graduated, started playing gigs and teaching a few students. The gigs got better and the few private lessons turned into classroom type teaching. I put out a record went on tour and then was asked to teach at my old college. I currently teach a class that is basically “how do I make money being a musician now”. There’s multiple ways to do this but at least where I am in the states gb/function work is the most bang for your buck. It can be challenging to coordinate that work with playing for other artists, my own artistic expression, and also teaching, but that’s pretty much the rub unless you’re a nepo-baby. If I can offer any guidance for folks, I would just say eventually it gets better as you do and your ability to make money by playing an instrument is not what makes your art good. The only thing that makes your art good is that it’s good art. Don’t be afraid to take a gig or have a day job to support yourself as making does actual require capital.

[@j42s]

Fabulous and inspired playing today!

[@cloud_noises]

There was a period in my 20's, in grad school for non-music stuff, where I thought seriously about doing music full time. I had done some short tours with a band (also guys in their 20's) and I could see how I could make enough to get by. However, soon after I toured with another band of older guys who had kids and a mortgage, and it was very eye opening to hear about their day-to-day life after the thrill of providing entertainment for a living had worn off. They are still very successful in the scene and regularly playing sold out shows, but I doubt they have much saved for retirement and they're constantly around drugs/alcohol. I'm 40 now and still play bar gigs regularly for peanuts, but I'm so grateful that I got to see what a successful music career really looks like long-term and the typical financial struggle that comes with it.

[@acarson8794]

ma maths, phd mathematical modelling and computer simulation. used to teach. now freelance software designer/consultant which i really enjoy. but...i used to be full time guitar back in the day. obv. still very much play and love playing and guitars. however i'm glad i got out of the music business and relegated it to an engrossing, lasting passion.

[@eduardocandeiasfaust]

Hey John I'm also 25, I've been a professional musician from Portugal for 5 years now (finished my college degree in 2020) . I do this full time like 80% of my income is gigs, I do give quite a few lessons on the beggining of the week, as a small financial pillow for lower months (like right now), I do everything from small jazz gigs to "big" artist gigs here and Portugal and it can be pretty rough tax wise for an independent worker in Portugal.... What helps me in the off season is lessons and "regular" gig in small bars or restaurant that do pay less like you were saying.

[@gregorygoodellofficial]

I have been a full time musician for the last 20 years. I teach, produce, mix, engineer, do sessions, play live, work as a support guitarist/ringer, and still tour occasionally. Basically a little bit of everything.

[@joshuadonato7094]

I’ve been full time since 2022, been a pretty hard ride, but I’m still alive so I’ve got that going for me 😂 Cheers from Cleveland, OH. (Not a songwriter, purely a hired gun)

[@rgatty]

Been making a good living playing guitar in cover/tribute bands at clubs and casinos since '91 here in Seattle Washington. It helps to not have children and ex-wives. 😊

[@cezarsantana]

Full time Brazilian musician (guitarist & vocalist) making a living in Miami for the past 3 decades...we should be paid more money for sure - but at the same time I do feel fortunate that I get paid to play my guitar and jam along with friends - or even just a looper : )

[@lucasjames8281]

You get payed roughly what the market says you deserve. There isn’t a “should” be payed more

[@cezarsantana]

@@lucasjames8281 I totally do not agree with you! There are so many historically underpaid professions out there, as well as some overpaid ones. Teachers, caregivers, social and agricultural workers, and artists in general are examples of that. Then there are some SM influencers making millions - selling content which value is pretty questionable imho. This is often tied to societal structures, perceived value, and market forces rather than actual contributions to society. My two cents

[@noctilux7799]

I lived from music for 7 or 8 years in the 80s / 90s. Hired gun: electric guitar, sound engineer, producer, composer. In the end I was really screwed by Sony/Warner, so I gave it all up. And never looked back. Good luck to the newer generations.

[@MrKbeaumont]

Always had a day job. But for 3 decades I played nearly every single weekend night and sometimes day and night. I played gigs at fraternal lodges, legion halls and bars. If the mascot had antlers, hooves or talons, we played there. DAV, American Legion ,the Masons and a stint as the house band for a couple of years in a really shady dive that ended with gun fire. Also did DJ and Karaoke at weddings mid week from time to time. All that pretty much ended in 2020. Only had a few gigs since. Currently I am doing worship gigs a couple of Sundays a month. Not missing all the gigs, but I am looking for another band to play occasionally.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Exceptional playing again

[@GoranPantic]

I've been playing guitar for the past 26 years. However, I live in Serbia, where it's very hard to make a living playing music unless you play domestic pop or folk music (most of which is pretty horrible). I've seen musicians who started hating their instruments because of the music they had to play to earn a decent living, and now they feel like they don't have a choice. That's why I decided to pursue a career in the IT industry and keep playing guitar as a hobby. Now, I have a great job and make a decent living while also playing in two bands and having gigs once or twice a month. This allows me to focus on the music I enjoy and play as much as I want without overcommitting. What’s frustrating, though, is seeing younger guitarists on KZbin teaching music theory, demonstrating incredible technique, and knowing so much more than I do. It gives me a bit of FOMO. I do realize, logically, that they spend all their time learning and practicing, while I can only dedicate an hour or two a day at most. Still, it’s hard not to feel frustrated sometimes.

[@nekkon1989]

As a teacher, I appreciate this video 😅

[@mikeblue385]

man, i had a gig last night. my stomach turned against me in the middle of a song. luckily it was outside. i was leaning over the rail puking and trying to play at the same time. get that money.

[@Homermad81]

I work with some guys that play an 80's cover band, and they are all engineers. All of them wanted to make it big in their 20's, but it did not pan out. They all stumbled upon each other and now wear Twisted Sister costumes performing at festivals and whatnot. They said its incredible fun and keep trying to get me to rehearse with them. It sucks that musicians cant make more, but its the time we live in.

[@Pamapamapop]

I respect this guy’s musical taste and playing skills. I also respect people can make a living out of music. Must be really difficult. My ‘2c’s… I will refer to Plini here. I never thought of making a living from music (regardless of playing skills) because that means playing mediocre and boring stuff in weddings or bars or churches. Takes all the fun out of music. Or as Guthrie… music is the only fun and escape… why make it a slave.

[@Semach]

I was a full-time guitarist for about 5 years. I did contracts on cruise ships and theme parks. It was a lot of fun but very frustrating and I found myself unhappy. These days. I write software for banks and it can be very frustrating and I often find myself unhappy. A job is a job. These days I only play guitar for fun.

[@yikelu]

Semi pro, as in I have been paid, but nowhere near enough to make a living. I've actually made a lot more doing recording/mixing/production than playing, but that also is nowhere near a living. It's all good though, I have a career that for the most part I enjoy. It'd be "nice" to make a living playing music, but realistically, I don't think mid level success playing function gigs would give me the amount of satisfaction as my current setup. For me to really enjoy music as a career path, I'd have to be making it fairly big (session or touring pro or bigger), and that's more about being happy with the work itself, although money is still part of it.

[@TimRoseGuitar]

All the points made in this video are accurate. My dad used to say ‘those that can etc’ and at 15 I knew that was bollocks. 😂. Anyway, you are a fantastic player, way beyond me but I have somehow managed to be a full time pro since I was in my early 20s. The biggest tip I think is to get into a scene ( London is a good place to start) and jam and play. And study. Get some reading chops. It isn’t that difficult and reading seriously kept me afloat in the early years. And the biggest tip… don’t be a t£@t. Be cool and humble. And if you need to teach, or do another part time job, so be it. Guthrie worked at McD’s for a while and it didn’t hold him back.

[@nekkon1989]

2:22 he pulls a guitar face

[@TbonePlummer]

Amateur pro player. Been gigging for 18 years straight mostly weekends and open air festival in and around Glasgow and west of Scotland with my covers band Shardlake

[@brazilianjosh]

I think that tribute acts earn more money than function musicians here in the UK. It has a broader appeal if you land a popular act…

[@Deep_Jimpact]

Yeah man, I hate being financially free to follow my dream

[@MeesterJoey]

Commenting 2 mins after the upload seems a bit like jumping to conclusions 😂

[@Deep_Jimpact]

@@MeesterJoey not when you’ve known him for as long as I have

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

Deep Jimpact always has the best comments. Johncordyfactbot held that title but then they mysteriously disappeared. Jimpact unplugged him?

[@Deep_Jimpact]

@@johnplaystheguitar123 unfounded rumours and gossip

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

You want to try being a Heating Engineer full-time and part time guitarist! It sucks 😂😂

[@AStellaByStarlight]

First world problems.

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

Just a hobbyist now. Havent done a paid gig on guitar in like a decade. I work full time 9-5. Now hoping to infiltrate musician scene again. Playing a gig once or twice a month would do it for me. Not interested in doing music full time. 1) im not good enough 2) i like to be in bed by 9pm which wouldn't work😂

[@stevesteve1965.]

Fancy doing shift work for 40 years.? Be grateful.!

[@lucasjames8281]

That was your choice you knob

[@TexasShout]

You can always do something else.

[@10sassafras]

Run it as a business. Keep a separate bank account to set aside tax on everything you bring in. Maintain a buffer of several thousand to look after illness, holidays etc. Set aside time in your week to do your admin, promotion etc. Set aside money for superannuation or buy property. Say no to gigs that don't pay enough to cover travel and preparation. No one wants to be hard up at 50.

[@hartlee1160]

Ehh youre one of the top guitarists in the world and have a lot going for you, and a lot going on. You gotta be tired

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Not like a proper job. The heyday of being a pro muso without an album deal are long gone...lol

[@iknowright6090]

Did your dad forgive you for totalling his Ferrari?

[@GarrettMaple]

You, sir, win the internet today! 😂

[@shiftd_1114]

Those that can't do teach , or can no longer do teach - very true for the most part .. When is the last time Robin Ford had a hit? 🤷‍♂

[@TomCPlus1]

"Hits" aren't the point of musicians doing their music. Some musicians are good enough to make hits . . . they aren't usually the best musicians, just "good enough", and more power to them. Robben Ford is in his 70s and has been a part of hits and music history. He's not and never will be a "can't do".

[@Sevenxsnroses]

Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Victor Wooten, Pat Metheny, and countless other have joined the chat😂😂

[@willhaylock3769]

I can only imagine how hard it must be to make a good living from being full time guitarist - however here is one guy that has been through the mill and keeps on going - worth a look imho kzbin.info/www/bejne/p16sdJpnoJ6ll6M

[@worthmoremusic]

I played professionally, toured, and earned my living playing all through the 70's and 80's. I haven't played professionally since 1990. Since then I primarily play at home...compose and record in my little apartment studio. The industry has changed immensely...and so has many local venues in that many do not want to pay for live music OR there is little room for a band but rather a singer/songwriter with an acoustic. Not so easy today to earn a decent living..... It's often all or nothing at all...either you work quite a bit for months or practically starve for months. Lots of players I knew and still know today many of them all have part time daytime jobs. It's just getting harder and harder to work full time as a musician unless you're well known studio player or on the road constantly and the later gets old real fast especially if you're not a youngster anymore. My dad was a professional musician for 60yrs...and while he too toured for decades he was lucky in that he had his own band and had a steady 6 night a week gig in a lovely hotel for 22yrs. As far as teaching goes, that too is pretty tough to earn a decent living...it's become so incredibly competitive. UTube has ruined it in that regard.