The WORST part about being a pro musician

I asked a bunch of my professional musician friends what the hardest part about being a musician is...these are their responses!
I was originally going to put these in order from youngest to oldest or something but I decided not to. I still think it's interesting to see how the struggle is different depending on what stage of your life/career you're in. I wanted to keep this minimally edited and make it more like a long-form interview/podcast/documentary. Let me know if you like these videos or if you have any feedback!
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:16 Bryan Persinger - Waiting sucks
1:17 Brett McCutcheon - Music school can be...
2:01 Brian Wolfe - Can you really make money?
5:58 Eddan Sparks - The unknown
7:10 Adam Bleil - Balancing practicing vs gigs
8:32 Tyler Brewer - A wife and 2 kids means...
9:45 Anton DeFade - The way you want to be a musician
11:26 Denny Karl - What your family thinks
12:24 Alex Perez - Self-doubt
13:46 Brandon Lehman - Other musicians??
16:59 J.D. Chaisson - A musician's schedule is...
18:02 Joe Scheller - Balancing your life
23:00 My take
23:55 Why did I make this video?
Please show these musicians some love!
Bryan Persinger - / bryanpersinger
Brett McCutcheon - / brett.mccutcheon
Brian Wolfe - If you know, you know.
Eddan Sparks - / pittsburghdrummer
Adam Bleil - / adambleilmusic
Tyler Brewer - / tybrewmusic
Anton DeFade - / antondefade
Denny Karl - No social media just a great pianist in Pittsburgh!
Alex Perez - / aperez412
Brandon Lehman - / itsbrandonlehman
J.D. Chaisson - / itsbrandonlehman
Joe Scheller - / schellerjm
Exclusive content on my Patreon: / foolishfrankie
#musician #musicians #musicianlife
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Management: [e-mail]

[@sdmike1141]

This video was so representative of your channel, to shed light on what it’s like to be a professional musician. Great job. THIS is the power of KZbin…takes you places where few go and see. Thanks!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Much love🙏🏻

[@bryantdarris]

Well said and I agree.

[@brettmccutcheon]

Thanks for asking me to be a part of this!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Dude thanks for sharing your perspective I really appreciate it!!

[@elpoder08]

Worst part for me is being away from my kids. I've been playing in bands since I was 13, I'm 34 now. And in the last 11 years, having kids made something so simple, incredibly hard. Cause like the one guy said, you do miss a lot of things. And deep down you know in the future you will hear about it. 😢 But music is an addiction and being on stage is an addiction and when I stand there and see into the people enjoying what I'm playing, it feels so rewarding.

[@Piano-Man]

Imagine yourself having excepted any other annoying job, comming home tired and frustratred EVERY night - that would be worse for you, your spouse and your kids! :-) It´s like Billy Joel once said: Being musician is NO CHOICE. It´s like being gay.

[@luissdstuff6381]

I hope you make more vids like this. It'll help up and comers see the true reality of a working musician is. This will help make someone make the decision to seek this kind of work. But above all, you see each individual their love of music and the impact it has on their lives.

[@FoolishFrankie]

So true, thanks for the kind words and support on a video like this it means a lot🙏🏻

[@BlazerDuckGoG]

Just started Bari sax, and I love it to death, I think a career with it would be intresting and it’s nice to see people talk about it.Good video❤

[@dukeofrodtown1705]

This was very insightful, and informative!! I thoroughly appreciate (and agree with) these takes - keep this great content up as I've said!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you I'm really glad you found it informative!!!🙏🏻

[@AdamMartinic]

Great video, really appreciate being able to broaden my perspective on the musicians pathway through hearing this kind of discourse.

[@gamma8gear]

i love these insides into gigs/pro musician lifestyle videos

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@lightningdragon555]

Really cool and interesting video! And honestly had to choose between music or another different career when going to school. Started playing sax since middle school and stuck with it until I graduated high school. I still like music to this day, and been wanting to get back into it for a while, but had to look at my own situation take the "safe" option. About to graduate with my IT degree.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much!! Definitely, everyone’s path is different and you can still love and play music with a day job!

[@liamfinch4129]

Such an insightfull video. Keep playing and be lucky! Thanks

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@grantrobertdavies]

I played bass professionally for years - Worst part for me was travel, parking - finding the gig, Pack up and pack Down… Best part? the musician community and continually learning :)

[@GamenMetTwan367]

So far it’s very interesting to hear all the different comments

[@FoolishFrankie]

I'm glad you think so!!!

[@jhdk356]

I'm not gigging professionally, but I have played concerts once in a while on a somewhat regular basis, and this video really highlights some weighty topics, so relatable. Just to add to the list; spending insane amounts of time and energy preparing for a concert, trying to get everything right and to maximize the odds of making it a great experience for both the audience and the band - and then realizing the hard way, that a lot of thing, like, A LOT, are still basically up to chance, and impossible to account for within a realistic and feasible amount of effort. The weather, schedule of the venue, one of the musicians having a bad day/gig or the band just not getting into the groove that night, illness, equipment suddenly acting up, whatever. Probably that evens out, if gigging more often though, incl. being able to "reuse" some of that effort for the next gig. Maybe also getting to the understanding, that it is not all about the concert, but enjoying the entire journey, and not getting too caught up in things outside of your control. Also, the sort of empty feeling after a gig, even if it went fantastic. I've seen that discussed in various other videos too, sometimes described as the post-concert blues. In some cases even starting to ruminate about what didn't go right, even if it was objectively tiny compared to the rest of the show, and self doubt kicks in. Best part though: When it all really takes off, the synergy hits just right, the band is grooving and inspiring each other, and the crowd goes nuts. And something unexpected just kicks it up a notch 😁 Including rehearsals. Thanks for the video, really great 👍

[@FoolishFrankie]

All of this is a great addition!! Thanks so much for watching🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@cathelinam9064]

Lovely raw interview. Musicians are Stars when we attend the show, etc. Career dynamics are all similar, respectively. Cheers.

[@abcdef8915]

It's so inspiring to see so many people do what they love.

[@Mellerman4]

This was an interesting watch for me. I went to music school and tried to be a pro musician for about 3 years but became overwhelmed by the lifestyle and changed course. I experienced many of the things that were mentioned in this video but I think the hardest part for me and what ultimately led for me to get out of the business was the idea that I could work super hard for years on end and not make any meaningful progress in improving my life and financial standing. I've seen countless examples of that both back then (it was about 20 years ago that I was gigging regularly) and now (friends of mine and great musicians that stuck with it and are still struggling). Society does not always reward things that have value the way those things need to be rewarded. I have a lot of empathy for what working musicians are going through these days and I hope you are finding what you need. I'm rooting for all of you. The best thing... aka the thing I miss most now that I don't do music for a living anymore would be that bond and connection you develop with your community of collaborators. When you've been working with a group and that group has evolved into something that is really high level and tight it creates a connection that I have seldom seen in the other industries I have worked in since being a musician. Being able to wordlessly communicate complicated ideas with your fellow musicians during a performance and move through a show like a well oiled machine is something I don't really get to experience anymore and I miss that alot.

[@FoolishFrankie]

You definitely have to weigh the pros and cons, it’s not easy. So true about the bond, that’s one of my favorite parts. Maybe you could get out to jam sessions and fill that desire, even if it’s only partway. Much love 🙏🏻

[@txsphere]

Excellent vid!

[@skulldar]

Thanks for making this. I am a senior in high school and unsure of what career path i want to take but i love music. Money is a big concern of mine and time as well, I don't know how I'll be able to balance it in the future, but i think my biggest goal is to become completely fluent in music and learn as many instruments as i possibly can

[@DaveWildheart]

Oh I can relate to all of that. Glad it's not just me! Great video.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thanks so much 🙏🏻

[@paulheldenglishnativespeak1770]

I love this video, very honest and insightful. I would be hard-pressed to answer the "worst part" question. I´ve been a professional musician here in Germany for 35 years, and have loved it (for the most part!). Travelling to and from the gig can be a drag. The pros definitely outweigh the cons, as long as you´re honest with yourself and can realistically analyze your strengths and weaknesses. Situations change as you move through the phases of life and you have to adapt to stay afloat. The unpredictability of this business is often the "spice of life" that keeps you on your toes!

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Thanks for doing this video!!!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thanks for watching!🙏🏻

[@guitarplayer5932]

doing what you love is priceless , i work in the oilfield and i absolutely hate it , always have.. but the money is good. I play in bands on weekends but wish i could do it full time, respect for these guys.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Man I’m sorry to hear, i definitely am lucky to get to do it full time. I have a lot of respect for you being able to have a full time job to pay the bills and still make the time to play on the weekend. A lot of people just drop it entirely, so props!!

[@lsf7591]

Another awesome video thanks

[@FoolishFrankie]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@parametr]

Worst: those gigs where you are treated like an appliance (no food, no drink, no timeliness) and have to play soulless music because that's what the audience wants Best: rehearsals

[@CaliforniaJazz]

I'm glad the weddings (?) you're filming at are actually feeding you. I've done so many where they're literally throwing away food and they have ham sandwiches and water for the band, I mean, food is food, but sometimes you just shake your firsts at the sky.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Ahh yeah luckily the band I play with a lot has a stipulation in the contract stating that the musicians are required to get a hot meal!! I've had my fair share of gas station sandwhich wraps with other bands though lol

[@nc4494]

this was my favorite one of your videos. i am an adult who does another craft that i found fun and just happened to pay my bills. it definitely became work. i also play music for fun and i have grown to really enjoy performing. i found this video an interesting contrast to your other ones, which i have also enjoyed, like when you play songs by ear on omegle and come up with guitar chords and beats to back you, and the gig vlogs. i really enjoyed hearing all the different perspectives. thanks.

[@FoolishFrankie]

This comment means more than you know!! There’s definitely not one path and even the things you love the most can feel like work eventually. I really appreciate the kind words and generosity🙏🏻

[@eddyaceti6576]

great video!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thanks!

[@ChunkyFooty]

i really appreciate this video. thanks

[@FoolishFrankie]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sunpulseandy6722]

Very cool, thoughtful and relatable topic! I wonder how this may differ on whether it changes from a musician to a composer for example (does it change?). After putting thought into everything your video brought up, and my mind has cleared off the topic, I had this totally random question drop into my head out of literally nowhere. Would I rather have someone love me, or would I rather have someone love my music? I’m truthfully torn on this.

[@blehman7011]

Goddamn all I gotta say is that when Brian Wolfe talks, you listen.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Facts!!!!

[@dennykarl]

Fax machine

[@bryantdarris]

@FoolishFrankie Thanks for taking the time to create and post your experiences. Very meaningful.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Much love 🙏🏻

[@ruez2kill]

Great video (former musician here and can relate to some of the points, well pretty much all of them , heh). Thank you.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Glad you enjoyed it!🙏🏻

[@HikigayaHachiman07]

I'd knew that being a musician and by looking at the financial aspects is really hard to earn money(except became a private music tutor)...But that's doesn't make me stop wanting to buy and learn the saxophone in the future...It's true that time and career are almost against my wish but my desire for music still play in my heart...Because I've experienced play the music instrument myself in the church...My music skill is still rusty but the feeling of love of music still remains in me...

[@Overlycomplicatedswede]

Worst part: how hyper critical I am of myself and how I play my instrument. I want perfection but it’s not garunteed. best: the friends and amount of impact we have on the audience when we perform. I absolutely love being a bass trombonist and the impact it puts on people when a young person like me (18 years old) when I have a solo or something. nobody expects a bass trombonist to have a solo but I have and the amount of elderly people who just come to me after the performance has ended and say “good job” or “i really enjoyed hearing you and the ensemble play” I once had a elderly woman tell me that my solo inspired her to resume playing piano. That made my night. 2nd best of being a musician: practicing something for an audition or a upcoming concert like a solo etc. and the performance or audition comes around and you just play very well and the feeling of “holy shit i played that well” Love from Sweden

[@goosefr]

This is a great video. It’s always important young musicians know what to expect before getting their hopes up. Keep it up!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much I really appreciate the kind words and the support!🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@roach_iam]

Would love to see a video on “things you wish event organisers did”

[@fluteaboo]

Pay us! 😭

[@oldunclemick]

Some great answers 👍

[@kintorey1195]

Very nice video! ^_^

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you very much!🙏🏻

[@Thecreator-28]

Can you do a full video of setting up your saxophone?

[@Megumin69420]

One thing I wished is other instruments like the kinds you find in high schools were just as popularized as guitars, pianos, and drums, it seems like with every new generation, aprecxiantion for instrumental music is becoming less common

[@kboyer1011]

Hey your hair looks awesome!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Oh thanks lol

[@MichaelNatrin]

Great video.

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@spivvo]

I knew I didn’t have the natural talent to be a professional musician so I chose a career in investment management (bonds and currencies). I retired at 55 and my life is now focused on playing guitar in bands. Clearly still have no natural talent but after 40 years of playing I’m much better at pretending I do. I don’t have to play weddings, just pubs, bars and social clubs or just for fun and always for peanuts. My wife is an actress, if we had to survive on her wages we’d be living in a cardboard box. I would suggest only become a pro musician if you are very very naturally talented….. if not make it your hobby and get a job that pays well. Also, I live in the UK, there are very few full time musicians, I think that is because it’s just so hard to make a stable comfortable living doing it.

[@gabedwards]

I appreciate this, thank you.

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@mazsenior]

Being a multi instrumentalist was the only thing that kept food on my table. And I should have been a drummer instead. The musicians reading this know why I say that. But I digress…… Back when I started in the early 80’s the pay scale had so much more purchasing power than it does today as scale has stayed stagnant for years. That’s because our profession (at my level at least) is treated without regard to our level of education and investment in time, money (for gear, transportation). We also get undercut by non-pro bands who are willing to play for well below scale or for beer. People don’t understand that you get what you pay for. Anyway…I loved entertaining people and seeing them get excited when they heard their favorite song being performed at a professional level.

[@mullrump2]

Im so happy i have a regular job and am an average musician...NOT!...this was great...thanks....

[@Thecreator-28]

Hi Frankie how do you make sure your reed is aligned?

[@jj9749]

Would be interesting to have a video about the lifestyle of those playing in international cover bands in the 5* hotels like Grand Hyatt, Shangri-La etc. Quite a lot of Americans, and it is a common set up in Asia and the Middle East. I don't think it's that healthy being in smoky bars and having people buy you drinks every night for 20 years.

[@Thecreator-28]

Where can I find a cheap aero phone?

[@Thecreator-28]

What do you do when you go to your gigs like what is the thing you do after putting your alto sax together?

[@FoolishFrankie]

Depends entirely on the gig but usually find the green room and warm up

[@farmervillager8651]

Is there anything you'd want to say about people who want to pursue teaching music at schools? I'm currently trying to declare a degree in music education from being undeclared. I don't think I could handle any sort of stem degree and I enjoyed band in high school and my experience in drum corps last summer, for those who know what that is.

[@FoolishFrankie]

I have no experience teaching in schools and very little experience in education in general so I can't say sorry!

[@bogusaccount-ws2kb]

Do you know anyone who has a day job they love and also gigs? As someone who hasn't played a gig in decades, loves my day job and for reasons* has thought about gigging again, I wonder if anyone else is doing it. * TBH the reason is your gig vlogs. It looks like fun.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Yes absolutely! There are multiple people in this video where that's the case:)

[@Thecreator-28]

Where did you get your saxophone from?

[@FoolishFrankie]

A local music store

[@karlrovey]

Here's a question related to the video about wedding gigs: How did you get started playing those gigs?

[@FoolishFrankie]

I have a video on my channel titled “how to start gigging as a young musician” where I talk about that!

[@Thecreator-28]

Hi Frankie what are some good things about being a musician

[@FoolishFrankie]

Did you watch the video?

[@Thecreator-28]

Can you make full gig blogs?

[@FoolishFrankie]

I have a few!

[@CharlieHoliday369]

What I wanna know is how did F.F afford to buy all his instruments??!!

[@FoolishFrankie]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnfUeWqcfJiId8ksi=qrNq9qZKzNm0mNg7

[@Ross_Antonich]

Brian wolfe!

[@delarue3198]

Question: Over the past 5 years or so has the band fees increased much?

[@FoolishFrankie]

Slightly

[@ZBCole]

I liked my own comment.

[@Alurelia]

Here's another for being honest

[@FoolishFrankie]

But did you enjoy it?

[@AlexIlin852]

😂

[@rebeccamouse9294]

We need universal healthcare so that musicians and other artists can focus on their art.

[@sbbandmusic]

Who needs health insurance when you can do a kickflip?

[@FoolishFrankie]

LMAO, the precise reason why I should have it😂

[@justincanzano3744]

Shout out to Joe Scheller!

[@FoolishFrankie]

He's the man!

[@dennykarl]

Free Biiiird!

[@FoolishFrankie]

LMAO

[@morpheus3190]

How does a trumpet player get a million dollars? Start with 2 million…. Sucks being in a band, always broke.

[@Thecreator-28]

*I liked my own comment*