making money from drumming?

[jasonmw_nf]

I'm at the point in my life were i'm considering leaving the "rat race" and trying my hand at making a living from playing/teaching. i was just wondering how many people in here are or have made a living off there drums? besides virgil of course ;)

[Lad.]

Man, people really need to answer you.
Truthfully, I can't tell you about how money is made with drums, because nor am I a professional or a teacher. I just hope that SOMEONE replying makes you feel better though.
Your post time means you've been waiting a dog's age for a reply.

[STAVROPOULOS]

hi there jason!
if you really feel leaving the ''rat race'' and misery of this whole situation,then do it!well,i will tell u my story and hope to help you:I finished high school here in Greece and then i entered University and attended the classes of Material Science department for 1 year and a half!During that time i had started taking drum lessons and i realised that the university thing was not what I wanted!Until that time,i was trying to do both(drums+university)simultaneously!But i realised that university required too much time and music required more!:)I discovered Virgil's world and the world of DRUMMING and not only these,so i decided to make the giant step to dedicate completely to music and generally to things that i really love and that will help me reach my goals!I really felt it inside of me man and i suggest u reading TOMMY NEWBERRY's book:''Success Is Not An Accident''!I am looking forward to reading your reply,hoping that all this really helped and even better,inspired you pal!
Greetings!

[Johnny]

Hi, Jason,
I've been a professional drummer and teacher all my adult life. I'd be more than happy to give you or anyone else advice on what has worked for me. It's too huge a subject to handle on a messageboard, so feel free to email me.

In general: know your stuff, do good work, be a gentleman, and have a servant's heart and a good work ethic.

The money is always "feast or famine," it seems, but I wouldn't trade this life for anything!

[Matus]

That's a tough question. There's no "rule" in professional drumming but there are certain things to take into consideration which I could sum up in one thing: BE PROFESSIONAL, at all levels. It doesn't only mean having a good level, technically speaking, but also having a good working method, reading chops, music knowledge, being considerate with people (not being late, doing your homework, etc). It's all about making things go as smoothly as they could and then making it feel great so people can really rely on you and trust you to work with them.
Also, don't be a "gig whore", as I call them. That means if you have confirmed one gig and another one comes along and pays better your word is worth more than that money. Having someone who can fill in for you is great, you can talk to both parts, see if it's possible to send someone else, etc. Just being a good all around professional and working musician.
And that's only the "working" part. Then there's the "how to get work", which is much more difficult. The only good advice I can give is be visible to the music community around you. Go to jams, get to know people, find contacts, be diverse in your styles when gigging and all. No one's gonna visit you at your rehearsal place to watch you play along to CDs. Be involved in as much projects as you can and play, play, play. If you don't make yourself important no one will do it for you.
If you need anything else just shoot me an email ;)

[jasonmw_nf]

Thank you guys so much. I have made the commitment to change my lifestyle and focus on what i love, wich is playing and teaching the drums. only bad thing is now it'll be even longer before i can afford the premium membership! doh!

p.s. since i've made this decision a series of events has unfolded that has led me to believe i've made the right choice and that maybe this has been my calling all along. I've always kinda believed in fate, but in the next couple of weeks i might have some proof! i'll keep you guys posted.

[Matus]

Rock on! :)

[Lad.]

Teaching prices should become lower with the number of students the teacher has.

[Shane G]

Teaching prices should become lower with the number of students the teacher has.
Why do you think that?

[peter]

For years, I made living at the drums and then
I decided to change my lifestyle. That was 1984.
I have never stopped playing, though I did pick
it up a notch, two years ago, for a couple of
reasons but that's the stuff of another thread.

:)

I really like Johnny's advice:

"In general: know your stuff, do good work, be a gentleman, and have a servant's heart and a good work ethic."

This is a good rule IN LIFE.

There's a business side to music that is
best not to forget, so as not to be dis-
appointed. That's why I suggest the
following:

Remember that all gigs are worthy and
that you should do them, with the idea
of leaving a good impression on everyone
associated, especially bandleaders and
musical directors.

Do everything. Play all kinds of music. Do
weddings and church functions. I mean
EVERYTHING.

Word gets around FAST that you can
get the job done and that you are easy
to work with. Trust me and good luck.

:)

[jasonmw_nf]

Thanks again guys, this is why i LOVE this forum so much.

[Shane G]

Remember that all gigs are worthy and
that you should do them, with the idea
of leaving a good impression on everyone
associated, especially bandleaders and
musical directors.

Do everything. Play all kinds of music. Do
weddings and church functions. I mean
EVERYTHING.

Word gets around FAST that you can
get the job done and that you are easy
to work with. Trust me and good luck.
This is excellent advice.

And true. Especially the second paragraph.

[Johnny]

Also, not every gig is about money. But, being a professional, you are to get something out of it. Maybe it's more work down the road, maybe it's exposure, maybe it's stage experience...

[glory run]

I'm in the same boat you are man, people love great chops, but they also love people that are easy to work with.

I find if the artist for the gig or the session/ ie songwriter wants a part played a certain way to just do it, that has been said by the phrase " be professional "

i think the most important thing for a drummer or any musician is their atitude, i think it's really everything, it lands you gigs, it gives you a good rep.

A rep that he will lay down what you want efficently and gladly, and can talk shop with you afterwards.

if the passion is there, the money will follow, too many talented guys quit at rejection or at bad expirence, it's important to stay mentally tough and take trials and challenges as ways to improve and learn, not as failures or closed doors.

for every door the industry shuts, 20 more open, it's an insane way to make a living, but if you've got it, you've go it and there is no reason in the world we all shouldnt make a run at what we really want.

best of luck

ps: shane im sorry to basically re-post your thoughts, haha.

i didnt read your post.

[Johnny]

You also have to develop the ability to not take rejection personally. If you are passed over for a gig or session, it doesn't mean you couldn't cut it; they just weren't looking for what they perceive as your thing.

For a lot of gigs, you also have to regard yourself as a human drum machine. You have to divorce your sense of what's cool from it. I've been asked to play a lot of really, really dumb parts. I call it "flipping burgers."

It's always a good idea to have an original project in which you are a full creative member on the side. Then you can get your musical jollies and then go out to earn a living.

Bozzio calls it the difference between painting a work of art, and painting a house. Do both.

[Shane G]

ps: shane im sorry to basically re-post your thoughts, haha.

i didnt read your post.
It might have been my post, but it was peters words I was agreeing with.
He wrote it much more concisely than I ever could have, so the credit should go to him.

Im still wondering why Lad thinks a teachers price should go down as the number of students he/she teaches increases. Lad...care to elaborate?

[The British Boy]

Well, I don't really make a living per say, since I'm only 16...

But I do teach a few private lessons and play in various local swing bands and a few Jazz combos. I also play in pit orchestras in show at the local Theater in town. Those are always good gigs, and I get about $460 for a two weekend show. I'm also starting a project with some older guys (With my dad) and we'll land some coprate gigs, stuff that pays like $2000 a night.

In terms of local giging, you would need a lot of students and a lot of groups or a very in demand group to make a decent living. Try looking at near by schools and talking to the band directors or looking for a Theater in town and get in contact with their musical directors. It's all about knowing people even in the small side of gigging.

[rastawes]

Hello Rastawes here...I have been an a full-time musician for 3 years. It is the greatest thing in the entire world(next to parenthood). I set my own schedule, I teach as much as I desire and I gig as much as I desire...Now I would much rather be doing straight up originals all the time, but I'll do the typical top 40 gig or blues 145 to make my car payments. It beats punching in every day!!!! Granted to do so, is no walk in the park. I constantly have to make sure that my schedule is full with gigs...I don't know how many times I've created a band for a gig I had just for $100. The beauty in that is to work and network with musicians whom you can count on to do the job with minimal rehearsal and preparation-and that alone is a TOOL to make you a far better musician. That's the type of thing that I get off on...

By the way I'm kinda new here, it's nice to meet you all!!!

rasta

[jasonmw_nf]

nice to meet you as well..and thanks for your response!