[taxcontrol]

It has reached the point that he is so far beyond what I know that I can no longer advise him. Just a dad asking for some help here.

[toddausauras]

I’ve made a living as a guitarist for over 12 years now and believe me I never thought I would make a dime. Luck is a big part of it and who you throw in with. Tell him to be social, play with people who he can learn from, record record record record record at home all the time (get some software, he probably already has some, like protools or logic and produce his own stuff.) I agree with what someone else said, write songs and (again) record them at home without RELYING on anyone else i.e. wasting money in a studio. It would be best to live in either LA, Nashville, New York etc. if possible. Always be on time, always be eager and auditions are very healthy, some he may fail but it will lead to things…..and if I think of anything else I’ll add it.

[freeandfreezing]

Take a close look at Berklee College of Music. Your son should be able to play well enough to get into Berklee by the time he gets out of high school if he has the native talent and work ethic needed in the business. That includes reading, chord work, improvisation, solos, ear training etc.

Successful professional musicians almost always have to make a career from many parts - performance, session work, teaching, their own creative work or band, etc. Few artists of any sort are lucky enough to strike it rich and end up a top tier touring and recording act.

So skills like being able to put together a band that can play weddings, or being able to sit down and play from music instantly are essential. So is being able to write music. A lot of the key skills can be learned from private teachers, but if you can afford it study at a college like Berklee will really accelerate the process.

[InvisibleChurch]

10,000 hours.

[bk1000]

There’s this crossroads down in Mississippi, out highway 61, just below Dockery’s old plantation. Go there ‘round midnight, and wait...

[Tijeras_Slim]

The best sax player I know attributed it to taking a hit of acid every day and playing in a closet for 8 hours straight for years.

I kid you not. He opened for Anthony Braxton once, who said “Never put me on a stage with him again.” He was that good.

It probably only worked for him.

[DeathBeforeDishonor1]

Hey Taxcontrol!

I would like to invite your son to check out Wikiloops.com

We are very good musicians from all around the world who are also into home recording.

He would need to be able to download an MP3, add his part, then reupload.

I cannot stress how addictive, fun and awesome it is to play with people from around the world.

I invite him to check it out...its 100%free BUT I guarantee he will be addicted and want to upgrade everything.

It is all styles and say a drummer uploads a track. Then a bassist will jump on , then a guitarist...and you can go back and maybe replace the guitar player with your part. So one song might evolve into 30 different versions .

BEst site on the internet hands down for going professional and playing with high level musicians.

Please have him check it out.

Heres a sample: http://www.wikiloops.com/backingtrack-jam-67083.php

[Junk Silver]

I attended another music school in Boston and am a bit skeptical about Berklee. I remember it as teaming with thousands of guitarists - most of them just hanging out in the halls practicing licks and not doing much else. I sure as heck wouldn’t take out student loans to go there, or any other music school for that matter.

If you can afford it Berklee could be a good place to learn and network, but I think it would be smarter to find some way to study in L.A., New York or Nashville, depending on what your focus is.

[paythefiddler]

go to a State college, and get that piece of paper
you can fall back on that

lot’s of competition on guitar... supply and demand
my best money makers are fiddle,banjo,and pedal steel
keep your fingers spread.Songwriters are the real money makers.

I’ve been doing nothing else for over 25 years, and love it.

Good luck!!!

[RFEngineer]

Have him take up professional basketball on the side. I hear they make a lot of money. That or welding, or maybe an electrician.

[right way right]

The best thing you can do is buy him top of the line equipment and encourage him to create his own style.
If it appeals , it appeals and he makes money.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I hope he is gifted in other areas, too. My suggestion is for him to find a way to make money in order to support his music endeavors.

Let him see some musicians and how hard they struggle to pay make ends meet. Even the really, really good struggle.

[jaydee770]

Perhaps keep an ear peeled for a church youth-group with a worship band. Contemporary Christian music spans the gamut from hard-rock to pop to country-ish. If he’s looking to be a professional musician, that opportunity will teach him a broad range. It’s generally unpaid, but the experience he gains playing “live” in a worship band (once per week, if not more) is a valuable education in more ways than one.

[WVKayaker]

My second son picked up his older brother's trumpet in 10th grade to meet the elective requirement. Older son played for two years and put the Bach Stradivarius sterling silver trumpet on the shelf. I bought it at a pawn shop for $500 in the mid-80's. Older son is now a Police Lt in OK.

Aaron was/is a natural and by his senior year, had a band teacher set him up for an audition at Greensboro (NC) College. Five years after high school graduation, he completed his full-tuition scholarship and got his teaching degree in music.

During the summers, he traveled with an older group, the O'Kaysons (famous for "I'm a girl watcher"). After the, he was an assistant professor for a while starting on his Master's degree. Then, he began teaching, and also performing.

He just recently announced that he is in his last year teaching high school band. He and his new bride are starting a company to provide talent. He has lots of contacts in and out of music.

Encourage him to follow his heart. But, put education at the top of the list of requirements. A proper foundation is necessary for any success. Aaron has not only played his trumpet and all other types of musical instruments, but he has been a conductor and composer.

Needless to say, I am a proud Papa!

Click the pic to see his website and bio-

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

Lots of folks can play and sing really well. The money is in the songs.

[Jmouse007]

Tell him if he wants a future; get a degree in Computer Science and apply himself. Right now there are an estimated 46,000 vacant position openings for software engineers in the United States. Software Engineers are one of the 25 highest paying jobs in the U.S..

His odds of "making it" in the music field/indstry are slim to none unless he is incredibly talented, I mean uber, Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton great and has the "right connections".

If you want to see what it really takes to even begin to have a shot, sit down with him and watch the move "Whiplash". That's what it takes, nothing less and even then there is no guarantee that he will even be given a chance because you have to have the right "connections/conacts" otherwise he is wasting his time. Not trying to burst his bubble, just pointing out reality.

[LeftiesBinWhinin]

The chances of becoming a professional musician and making it big are about the same chances of becoming a major league baseball player. It is pretty slim.

But, if you meet the right people and create the right songs, you can make it. I have played in bands for 35+ years and still do the weekend warrior thing, playing a lot of weddings and special events for $300 a show for each musician. It is fun and I enjoy entertaining people.