What is there to do for a jazz musician to make a living nowadays?

[TruthHertz]

Originally Posted by SammieWammie

What kind of diverse styles? Dubstep? I can't imagine a dubstep session guitarist, I could be wrong though.

You can't imagine it? Nobody else can either. No competition. The field is wide open an it's yours. Now make your mark.

Some of the best opportunities come from things nobody else has imagined yet. The next time you have a formal gig, show up in a full body zebra suit. At first, of course, they may lookat you a little strange, but when everybody demands their musician wears zebra suits, you will have already established yourself as the "one."

If you play bass, you'll get all the calls you can handle. I hear there are all sorts of opportunities for people that want to work with bass, IF you're willing to work under water. I had a friend that specialized, no largemouth for him, just striped bass. He had so much work he was always in over his head. But he had the bottom end all to himself.

David

[SammieWammie]

Your comment about the zebra suit is actually quite relevant, after getting some constructive criticism about how my solo guitar playing was skillful but not much of a performance (damn singers can dance around the stage and make eye contact with the crowd but what can a solo guitarist do?) my immediate thought was: "... I'll wear a big fluffy lion suit, that's the answer."

As for bass, I learned electric bass before I learned guitar and my 1st jazz exposure was playing bass, so I can walk averagely on an electric but not a double, and honestly I don't want to be a jazz bassist. Funk I wouldn't mind but really jazz bass is necessary to jazz but not an art in my opinion. Jimmy Smith had it down, playing a bassline with his feet so there's no need for a bassist. I'd much prefer to be one of the other musicians calling up the overworked bassist asking them to play a gig.

[TruthHertz]

Originally Posted by SammieWammie

... jazz bass is ... not an art in my opinion.

Grasshopper, when you can snatch the pebble from my hand... When you can learn to hear what a great, or really good bass player can give you, you may find yourself eating those words. A good bass player will let you breathe, give the entire group something that gives it life, meaning and interest. Are you familiar with George Mraz? Jaco Pastorius, Jonas Helborg playing with John McLaughlin, Have you ever heard of Ben Street? Charnett Moffett?

You may not choose to work in that sonic range because you don't hear in that way, but keep your ears open to the roles of the bass player and listen a lot to what it means to be a good/great bass player. It could effect your opinion of whether bass can be considered artful.

David

[Bill C]

Originally Posted by SammieWammie

What kind of diverse styles? Dubstep? I can't imagine a dubstep session guitarist, I could be wrong though.

I've only dabbled at the very edges of this stuff, but it seems to me that the ability to pick up a style of music you aren't at all familiar with quickly (tango, baroque chamber orchestra, grime, etc , etc), to the point where you can produce something convincing in that style, is a plus for media music. The ability to produce the result at a competitive price yet to a high standard in a home studio probably counts for a lot too.

It's not jazz or guitar (unless that's what the brief calls for), but it's musically challenging and is a potential source of income.

[Dad3353]

I see no-one has mentionned 'busking' yet..?

[Billnc]

My fastest growing business is a jazz duo. No one else, even the jazzers who can whoop me pretty severely, are playing much jazz. Opened up possibilities and I'm doing one or two jazz gigs a week. This is enough for me to get the jazz bug out. I also play bass in a few bands.
Once you can play well it's not a matter of chops but the ability to learn songs. Everyone wants to be a gunslinger, but sounding good and being able to learn a boatload of songs is what gets you work. Some pretty marginal (I mean from a studio ace perspective) work a couple gigs every Saturday and a Friday night club date, church gig Sunday and another on a weeknight. Other great players do a Saturday and that's it.

[cosmic gumbo]

Originally Posted by SammieWammie

jazz bass is necessary to jazz but not an art in my opinion.

Ouch. Bass is much more essential to jazz than guitar. You'll eat those words when you grow up.

[Space Pickle]

but really jazz bass is necessary to jazz but not an art in my opinion.

what

[ah.clem]

Originally Posted by SammieWammie

...jazz bass is necessary to jazz but not an art in my opinion.

Hmmm. I think I backed you up a few times back in the day when I was "making a living" playing jazz bass. Thanks for reminding me about one of the reasons why I decided to make jazz an avocation.

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by ah.clem

Hmmm. I think I backed you up a few times back in the day when I was "making a living" playing jazz bass. Thanks for reminding me about one of the reasons why I decided to make jazz an avocation.

Better to ignore a post on a forum.

[SammieWammie]

Don't mean to offend anyone! Jazz is an art, and bass is a core part of it. Also my 1st few years of playing an instrument was bass which solidified my love for music. Bass is not to be underestimated. I'm probably going to get shot for this but quite honestly the limitations of jazz bass are, well, very limited. Simply walking for the vast majority of the time... necessary but not fun. In my experience (which isn't very much) I have never played with a great jazz bassist so while I know it's necessary to make a jazz combo, far more necessary than guitar to jazz in general it really isn't my thing. And yes thinking about it some jazz bassists are legends, and I've heard great music where it wouldn't have worked if the bassist wasn't imputing what they were yet I find it hard to find any art in my playing while I'm simply walking changes.

Feel free to suggest jazz bass I should listen to, perhaps my view will change.

[TruthHertz]

Originally Posted by SammieWammie

Feel free to suggest jazz bass I should listen to, perhaps my view will change.

Ben Monder? He plays 6 string bass as well as he plays guitar.

From a previous post, to which I assume you'd answer no:

Originally Posted by TruthHertz

Are you familiar with George Mraz? Jaco Pastorius, Jonas Helborg playing with John McLaughlin, Have you ever heard of Ben Street? Charnett Moffett?

But SammieWammie, I do see your point. I just watched this and I agree, the bass is kinda boring. Point taken:

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

David

[JakeAcci]

Sammie - not everybody walks or just holds down a simple groove, although that is sometimes what is called for, and sometimes that alone is true art to my ears.

When it comes to bass I'm most impressed not with amazing solos but with those who can play broken feel and really make the feel of the tune sing, despite in some ways abstracting the groove. Bill Evans trio and Brad Mehldau trios are my favorite examples of this.

[ronjazz]

Exploring non-traditional markets is also a way to make a living, especially if you're a jazzbo. The Senior market is the only growing market in the USA for serious music of the jazz style, although seniors are now also part of the 50s/early 60s generation, so some classic oldies go a long way. Anyway, create a brochure and a demo CD with some familiar swing/jazz tunes and Elvis-era oldies, then either get on the phone or get in the car and get in touch with every nursing home, rehab home and assisted-living facility you can reach. Make sure that the activities director gets your materials, and keep your pricing competitive as you're starting out. If you don't sing, learn how to, even just a handful of tunes per 60-minute show. With enough determination and the ability to learn from the activities directors, you can end up with 2-10 daytime shows per week, at an average of $100 per 60-90 minute show. I know a guy in my area who charges $90 a show, and does 10-15 EVERY WEEK, 40 weeks a year. That's a gross of around $40,000 annually, all in the daytime. I'm not as ambitious, but I do around 10-12 shows a month, solo, duo and group, averaging just over $100 per show, for an additional $12k a year over and above the evening work.

Apply the same approach to house concerts, library concerts, coffeehouse and bookstore work, and you'll find yourself with 6-10 gigs weekly, not including your regular Friday and Saturday mainstream club dates or functions. It's entirely possible for a good guitarist to make a living by performing, although playing 1950s bebop will not get you there. For the marginal markets I've described, you really must play a lot of tunes that people have some familiarity with.

[brwnhornet59]

Originally Posted by SammieWammie

but really jazz bass is necessary to jazz but not an art in my opinion.

Sammie Sammie Sammie, Geeze.

I wont tell Patituccie you said that. His Master classes are insane. His playing, immaculate.

He gets going around 2 minuets in. He is one of the many monsters out there. Of course Jaco was mentioned, he was one of a kind!

YouTube Video

[coolvinny]

Red Mitchell. His bass solos on Tal Farlow's "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow" are very lyrical.

[Sandor]

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

You can tell who's full of shit, they're the one's suggesting it's possible.

So I guess I'm full of shit for not wanting to jump on the dream crushing bandwagon? I've seen enough musicians, in all different styles, to know that the ones who complain about not being able to make a living are not able because they don't work as hard as they think they do.

Not wanting to start a pissing contest, but that seemed pretty clearly aimed at me.

I wonder how many of the people that always try to discourage young musicians do it honestly, or because they are afraid of extra competition making them work harder.

[JakeAcci]

Originally Posted by brwnhornet59

Sammie Sammie Sammie, Geeze.

I wont tell Patituccie you said that. His Master classes are insane. His playing, immaculate.

He gets going around 2 minuets in. He is one of the many monsters out there. Of course Jaco was mentioned, he was one of a kind!

Here's Patitucci in a different flavor:

YouTube Video

[brwnhornet59]

Never saw this one before Jake. Three true Masters at work!!

[eddy b.]

There's a lot of really good advice here...ultimately if you graduate with a music degree you will at least have some "credentials" for teaching...then you gig, then you teach, then you shed repeat the cycle over and over and over until you're the last one standing. I agree with the cat that said if you have to think about it maybe find somthin' else to do if it's a compulsion and you feel in your heart all the time that's your answer. The future is hard to see so if you gotta do this take care of the step where you are right now and the rest unfold in time. Beware of the negative, angry,bitter can't be done cuz it's hard, can't be done cuz I didn't do it guys. Just know that making a living out of this will take all of your effort,focus,determination etc. And realize that there is no fame involved whatsoever...just love of the music..

[eddy b.]

To end up with a million dollars from playing jazz guitar start with 2million...But seriously, I believe, Where there's a will there's a way, Passion and the absolute necessity,obssession to live a life in jazz, and a positive attitude seem to be the necessary ingredients for success. I advise my students that absolutely HAVE to go to music school to at least graduate with a teaching degree, they come in handy when one makes it to forty...

[jazzuki]

SammieWammie-If you can,have a look at Skip Morris's "Player to Player column in this months Just Jazz guitar mag.page 128.He discusses how top guitarist's of today make a living.I think you will find it enlightening in view of your first question.

[Drumbler]

"A scientific expedition disembarks from its plane at the final outpost of civilization in the deepest Amazon rain forest. They immediately notice the ceaseless thrumming of native drums. As they venture further into the bush, the drums never stop, day or night, for weeks.

The lead scientist asks one of the natives about this, and the native's only reply is "Drums good. Drums never stop. Very BAD if drums stop."

The drumming continues, night and day, until one night, six weeks into the trip, when the jungle is suddenly silent. Immediately the natives run screaming from their huts, covering their ears. The scientists grab one boy and demand "What is it? The drums have stopped!"

The terror-stricken youth replies "Yes! Drums stop! VERY BAD!"
The scientists ask "Why? Why? What will happen?"
Wild-eyed, the boy responds,

" . . . BASS SOLO!!!" -

[Bobsynth]

I have been fortunate enough to be a working musician for 56 years. I have worked from 3 to 5 nights a week for most of my life. However, I didn't accomplish that as a jazz musician, although i do play jazz. But I also sing, and play most other styles of music. that's how I have been able to last in this business. I guess my message to you is enjoy being a jazz musician for the love of it, and plan on it being a great way to supplement your reegular income from your steady day job. Also, be able to play all types of music that you enjoy, in order to get more work. Good Luck.

Originally Posted by SammieWammie

To make a living and career with music, what can a jazz musician do? Just out of curiosity, my plan is to study jazz at uni (college), some people I know doing that are also doing gigs and such at the same time, but after that what can a jazz musician do? I definitely want to make music my career but I don't know exactly what I can do. Also if anybody who's been through that has any tips it would be greatly appreciated, cheers

[timscarey]

I've been out of music school for 6 years now and would like to add a few thoughts....

I live in a pretty large town with a pretty healthy music scene, the people who really make a living from playing are the Theatre, Symphony, Ballet, and Opera musicians, some of whom are also very active jazz musicians.... something to think about.

There are also (jazz) rhythm section players who play 6 nights a week for around $80-$120 a night plus the weekend corprate gigs/ weddings... Although this alone is really not enough to live comfotably, except for a very small number of people who are super, super, super good... and connected.

pretty much everyone teaches... or has a day job. or both.

Being a musician is not stable by any means, although in this day and age, what job really is? At any rate, the ability to teach music and play it at a high level is a univerisal skill that can be used to make money, but it's a scary thing to try to live on.

There are a lot of houses with 4 or 5 musicians living together who all play together as well, that is pretty common, as well as the musician husband/day job wife combo, I see that one a lot too.

I personally teach 40 or so students a week through 4 different marketing sources that I have built up over the last 6 years, most of them come to me but I do go to peoples houses a few days a week. It's a lot of work, but I love it.

I also am fortunate enought to play jazz several nights a week and get paid to do it. I by no means would attempt to live on that alone, but it's enough that I consider myself a "pro" at least in as much as I get paid to play music that I write or arrange.

I recently go hired as an adjunct faculty member teaching theory at my old college, if I can hold on to that gig, I'll probably be lucky enough to keep doing this for a while longer. something to think about as well.

good luck!

oh yeah,... and i'm a bass player.

[the*doctor]

I'm hoping to study music and education at university to become a high school music teacher. Then I can spread the love of jazz and run school jazz bands,etc. Plus I get to play music all the time

[Reg]

How much do you need to make... I play gigs that pay from $50 to $500.
I try and get a few good paying gigs booked so I can play some good playing gigs. I can make $1000 a week pretty easily.
Your not going to make great $ playing music... even if you are one of the best, get other investments, or some other source of income to supplement. $1000 a week won't cover... and when you need more $... music becomes just like any other style of work... work.
Teachers become teachers... Working musicians tend to play lousy gigs that pay... Not always... but generally. Most don't have the motivation or energy to cover different gigs and still be able to really play what they want or love...
I do have lots of friends that have and still make an OK living from playing music. Have lots of friends that make an OK living from teaching, both educationally and privately...
I'm from school of if you don't have a few music degrees... you almost don't have a chance. Not that the music degrees will make you a jazz player. Generally they will steer you away from what makes a jazz player. But they will open doors and they will help give you a basic musical foundation that will help speed up the process of becoming a jazz player. ( as well as speed this process up of understanding how the world works).
The one fact that doesn't really change, from any approach to playing jazz... you need to have your skills together. We all know what those are... you can't BS your way to becoming a good jazz player. Reg