How to make 1 million dollars (as a musician) [ AN's Bass Lessons #28 ]
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
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Background music:
sungazermusic.b...
Village Voice Article w/ Linda Oh
www.villagevoic...
Noisey Vice on Musicians' Day Gigs
m.noisey.vice.c...
That musical I was working on from the end of the video
www.playbill.co...
Peace,
Adam
![Harmonic Polyrhythms Explained! [ AN's Bass Lessons #27 ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_gCJHNBEdoc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Harmonic Polyrhythms Explained! [ AN's Bass Lessons #27 ]](/img/tr.png)
![Cool jazz soloing technique - the Cantus Firmus Method [ AN's Bass Lessons #20 ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GT4fpf1Y4dU/mqdefault.jpg)
How does the lydian augmented scale fit into this?
I'm still researching it
Lmao
@@red_boum Have you figured it out yet?
@@KieraQ0323 No luck unfortunately :(
If you're looking to make a million dollars as a musician, the lydian augmented scale is NOT going to be part of the equation......
Very practical. From what I understand, touring can become profitable without having to be as big as Radiohead, but it takes a lot of touring at a loss before that can happen. Good point on the "finding what you can deal with" in reference to teaching, GB, or day job work!
I see you, I high five you.
No prob :) Big Adam Neely fan right here.
Ben Levin thanks for this advice. Been rehearsing with artists for free lately and its been confusing but now I have the confirmation... ITS AN INVESTMENT!
Twenty years of schooling and they put you on the day shift...look out kid..
i toured for years and was absolutely blown away when i realized i was happier working at a relatively low-stress office job and focusing on creating music. ...the ups and downs of the sideman, teaching, touring, studio combo left me feeling despondent and i couldn't afford to keep up my gear. this video is spot on (as is typical for adam's stuff!)
Are you still playing music live?
@@alvarolblanco Yep! All the time. Actually, in the time since I wrote that comment I've got a good side-business going - I play solo instrumental funky/jazz jam guitar music with a looper at local breweries and small festivals, super fun! ...and I don't worry about the rent lol -- biggest thing was getting a M-F 9-5 job that allowed me to gig on the weekends and do the odd weeknight gig.
2:05 "PRACTICE, FOR F***'S SAKE, PRACTICE!"
so much THIS for the above comment!
What is this "money" thing you speak of? Can I trade it for food?
it's like exposure or credit, only you can actually use it in the real world in return for items :o
Money can be exchanged for goods and services
@@shevanel92 Awhh, I wanted a peanut!
And shelter!
$20 can buy many peanuts.
So basically the key is to work your ass off working jobs you have a huge chance of disliking.
Sounds universal, not only applicable to musicians.
i think drummers generally have a more open mind to that kind of thing. I dont gig, but i can see how playing music you dont like could be really detrimental. I like having sex but that doesnt mean anyone will do, know what i mean?
The problem is, after that 8hr shift instead of going home at 6pm on Tuesday night, you gotta be at the bar/venue for load in/sound check…At 1am you play a 45min set and then it’s time to load out… you’re home closure to 3am,
Catch a few hours of sleep… rinse and repeat. Other days, you’re too drained from the day to even begin thinking creatively to write or practice. The human brain can only process so much. The job or the music is going to suffer. I know this first hand.
Adam--good video, along with the one on what you don't learn in music school. Two suggestions:
1, Cruise ships.
2. Military bands.
The first I never did, but I have a good friend down here in AL who spent his thirties playing on them. It was very steady. Of course, it's also a life and lifestyle. Not really a gig for a married person, unless you and your wife (or husband) are in the same band. You're also at sea for a series of one- or two-week cruises for 4 to 6 months, so maintaining your contacts in town can be hard. Most of the guys and gals who do this are young and single, they do it for a couple of years, build up some chops and repertoire, and stop taking contracts. It's not perfect, but it's a living.
The second I did do--for 27 years, 6 in the Army and 21 in the USAF. I retired about 8 1/2 years ago as a Master Sergeant (E-7) and have a pension, benefits, and some money tax-free since I was determined to be 40 % disabled by the Veterans Administration. I played piano and keys in all sorts of groups, wrote charts, did some instruction with the junior troops, and took on more and more leadership duties as my career progressed and I put on more rank. Some of the AF musicians I played with were great, and most were very good. Was it fantastic every day? No. It was a job, some days good, some bad, and a lot in between. (It's called having a career with responsibilities.) But...over the long haul I loved it. And I'm a much better musician for it. I work as many gigs as I can in Huntsville, AL, and although I'm not rich, I could duct tape a remote to one hand, put a beer in the other and watch sports on TV and never have to work again for the rest of my life. Yes, it's much cheaper here in H'ville than NYC, but I grew up in Long Island, so I know that.
The basic point is that you do what you have to do to survive and thrive. One word about being in the military--it's the only gig you'll ever have that asks you to potentially give up your life, and that's something I always remind people of, if they're giving it serious consideration. But I wouldn't have traded my years in uniform for anything.
Keep the videos coming, you're doing good work.
Pete
Thank you so much for this episode.
I am a software engineer working remotely for a consultancy. I never had any music education even though music has always been a central part of my life. About 10 months ago I decided to learn to play a musical instrument. I live in a small town that has an even smaller music school with two teachers. My main musical taste is in punk and post punk bands like Joy Division and Bauahuas and I wanted to learn to play the bass, but the school doesn't have a bass teacher, so I settled for learning classical guitar. They also give you the option of learning music theory and although at first glance I wasn't interested, I have grown to love it. My reasoning was that I already have a very "brainy" day job that requires that I learn new things almost every week, why would I burden myself with music theory? I'm glad I was wrong, because it has expanded my musical taste. It is like in vampire movies, when someone gets turned they now are able to see, hear and smell things at an amplified level. I can now hear (and imagine) things in songs that I wasn't paying attention to before.
A few months ago I started getting the itch to become a "professional musician" and perform. But that was quickly put aside, there is no way a 40 year old man (just learning to play the guitar) will make as good a living in music as I'm currently making in software engineering. But I do plan to perform at local pubs (once I have enough songs in my reportoire). I'll never be a "true musician", but performing will make me re-live those teenager years in my room playing the air guitar and imagining I'm Peter Murphy in a cramped bar in England.
Love it. One should love to play music but never expect to make a living from it. I listen to so many fantastic musicians (and I count Adam among them), but I know so few will ever make a career out of it. Back in the early 80s when I lived in NY the woman that lived next door was, back in the heyday, a featured singer touring the country with Big Bands like Glenn Millers Orchestra, by the time I met her all of that was cherished memories. She did produce a daughter that wrote a music column for the Village Voice, which is an accomplishment to be proud of! Adam, maybe you should add music critic to your list?
i stopped eating and its getting hard
Don't forget the free crock pot steam hotdogs at the bar!!
Rubber glove and olive oil
You can drink water and think om nom nom, that's been working for me for the past few days.
Haikus go like this:
Five, seven then five again.
(Punchline optional)
learned this lesson after leaving college without a music degree (lost financial aid). To make money it was three factors like you said. To work in music you had to 1)Play it 2)teach it and/or 3)Sell it! Ah, to attain the trifecta! Got a job in a music store, and alternated the "sell" it with REAPAIR it. It was a wonderful experience to apprentice with some great guys. Some of my best memories were learning how to bring mangled brass instruments back from the dead, so to put them back in the hands of the next generation of up and coming band students. The structure of the store gave you access to a stable of kids for private lessons. BUT, with not enough time left at the end of busy days, the most important part: PLAYING it (for me) managed to fall by the wayside. It doesn't happen like that for everyone, of course. But I had saddled myself with a horn that it was hard to make money with. These realities are SOOO important for aspiring musicians to learn, but the grim realities of supporting families, and other adult responsibilities often stifle a musician's creativity more than "just hustling" for the next side gig, and having to play the same set of 20 songs over and over again". When the economy started collapsing in the early 2000's, I had to leave music altogether, forced into a DAY JOB that would pay the bills, as well as my student debt. I applaud you for your cautionary glimpse into this, hoping that your viewers might realize more realistic expectations, but My experience is that the folks who can truly sustain themselves as FULL TIME musicians are in the stark minority, with the majority of music gigs held by folks who actually do OTHER work in their "day job".
Sad.
Solid advice as always. I supplement my music with work as an audio engineer/music creator at an advertising firm. There’s a lot of potential for stable work and the knowledge you can gain around marketing in general is invaluable.
Dude, I have great respect for anyone that pursues their dream and gets through life doing what they love to do. You seem like an incredibly bright and insightful young man. No matter what you do in life, I think it's very important to be flexible, humble, give freely of yourself, watch for opportunities and establish meaningful relationships with people (networking.) Everyone goes through peaks and valleys. Be prepared to help people out when they hit their valleys and don't be too proud to ask for help when you find yourself in a valley of your own.
Hi I'm Gio a guitarist from South Africa (I struggle with African rhythms)I have 2 kids and I'm a married 26 year old. I have a goal, and that's to do music everyday as much as I want, however I do find that it does not really pay the bills, so Im working on a plan to build a few passive incomes by means of different business, in hopes that it will allow me the time to financially take care of my family so that I can do the more important things like spend time with the family and then also my music it will also allow me to do music and not be concerned of whether or not it pays meaning I can take any gig I want.
I recently started seeing your videos and I really enjoy them keep it up buddy.
I have a co-worker (full time) who is pro Jazz musician, he plays mostly as sideman, but for some big names out there. When he needs to tour he just takes vacations (PTO). And another one who is part-time DJ and one girl sings at weddings. So there's definitely something to this approach of having full-time non-musician job :-)
As a music teacher who wants to make his own music, I found this really encouraging :) Thanks, Adam!
Thank you for your honesty, it's reassuring once in a while to be reminded that we're all on the same boat.
How to make money as a musician? Diversify! No musician I know makes their living doing any one thing. It takes several revenue streams to make it work.
Andrew Pincock isn't that what he basically said though?
On point!
The most important thing I learned in University regarding being a working musician was given to me by the solo bass player legend Steve Lawson.
He essentially told us to break it down into manageable goals and targets. He's very big on the DIY front (builds his own sites, records & produces his own work, manages his distribution etc), in an effort to limit costs, but has the added advantage of forcing you to learn a bunch of skills you probably wouldn't have to get the job done.
His aim boils down to one thing: if as a band/recording artist you can get 1000 people a year for each member of the band to come down to a show, buy a CD and a T-shirt - you're basically making the UK minimum wage as a working musician (minus costs and taxes).
He emphasised engaging with your audience in an effort to convert casual fans into super fans. People like Devin Townsend have completely mastered the art of converting people into superfans (to the point of practical saturation, where he needs to spend a few years bringing in casual fans again to start the process again).
Steve Lawson also very much said that you'd probably need a day job (he suggested working in a book store) while you build to that point, and always being on the lookout for other revenue streams: like masterclasses at universities, recording covers, composing for video games, touring as guitar techs with more established bands, or even Patreon.
A lot of people think music is an all or nothing thing. By having a non-musical day job I am free artistically to play whatever type of music my heart desires without worrying about whether or not other people like it and want to support it financially. I don't feel that I would be more artistically fulfilled by playing other people's music and other "hustle" type music jobs than I do now.
Exactly. I see that as a curse of fame. Imagine all those great artist having to play the same damn songs for 20-30 years, I get sick from practicing the same stuff for a few months. Then when you are old and think finally I can do something else, you spend all your creativity on something new and when you go to perform it they just cheer for the same old stuff you have been playing for decades.
I rather do another job than play music I do not like - it's just that simple
2:05 I laughed really really really hard :-D (and as I teacher I can relate...)
Sorry :|
Yeah, I don't teach music, but I teach a language, and I know the feeling.
"What do you mean we've been learning this for a year and you still can't conjugate a verb in the present tense? What's conjugation? It's the thing you do when you change the endings. Yes, you are upposed to change the endings on verbs."
When I had my first guitar lessons, I practiced pretty much everything except the stuff he told me to. Haha still we got along because I got better really quickly.
My "side job" is live sound engineer, which is not really ideal. On one hand I do get to know lots of important people and am in a somewhat good position for networking in order to play more gigs with one of my bands. On the other hand there are regularly collisions of chances/requests to play gigs and festival/event jobs, because both happen mainly on weekends :(
On the plus side: sometimes I get paid double for playing AND running sound on the same festival ;)
I like your last sentence 😂it attracts my attention 🥳👍
You make great videos. Also, for the record, your intro is the coolest intro that I have ever seen anywhere on the internet.
Thanks man. Keep up the work. I find you very interesting and sincere. I'm myself a bass player, composer, concert and party organizer. But my full time job is...1C Programmer ) It was a big dilemma for me, between earning money by playing just for money and stay a programmer and dedicate my free time to music. But now, when I have my fiance with me, I feel that earning money to buy comfort for my family, kind of replaced my passion for music.
Btw, here in Uzbekistan, musicians make most of the money on Weddings. You get almost 20 times more money for a wedding, than playing in a restaurant. how is in NYC?
I don't know NYC specifically, but from what I hear from musicians I know (based in Pennsylvania, playing around PA and the East Coast), weddings are very often a big portion of a gigging musician's income. My impression is that they're one of the most lucrative types of gigs in terms of usual budget. There's also musical theatre gigs if you've got the sightreading chops and play the right instrument, and are in an area that has a decent amount of theatre productions. (In my experience, the same is not as true of improv comedy, unfortunately - it's a lot of fun to play, but I've made little money from it. Then again, those gigs I've played have also been community theatres in a small-to-midsize city.)
Of course, as an aside, no gig will necessarily be lucrative if you don't know how to negotiate. Not to be a hardass, but to know what your time is worth, and to view yourself and any other musicians you might be working with as professionals who are providing something valuable. (To me, that doesn't apply to gigs you're doing strictly as a favor to a friend or the like, but I also know that's an easy road to being too nice if you're not careful where that applies.). But, of course, that also means conducting yourself as professionals in the first place.
I have a part time job as a piano salesman and make a commission on each instrument I sell. I teach privately for the same company and get access to a beautiful piano studio, and I make internet commercials for them which has branched into a side hustle video editing and marketing (I've had other production side hustles for years). I also took a spot with an Army band in the National Guard and am finishing up training now at the Army School of Music. In a little over 5 months on "active duty for training" here and at basic training I've saved up a lot of money because the Army pays relatively well and I've had virtually no expenses. When I get home from here I'll play part time with the Army band, and I do a lot of church gigs. My girlfriend hates my schedule because it's so irregular but I find it nice to be able to stay busy, work in or close to music and still make pretty good money, but I don't do a whole lot of gigging and when I do it's more for fun than for money.
This video makes me feel more confident about my musical career when I become an adult
Thank you
i think this is interesting but i also think that there are many other jobs in music other than performing musician. there are many medium companies that employ a significant amount of people in the music business. you could be an engineer or write music for a very large number of things including videos like this that provide a decent living. or also some people are passionate about the music industry and work in companies with positions such as A&R and marketing etc. but i think you are spot on with the performing musician side.
I have a day job in retail and i literally cannot afford to eat. Being a musician has taught me to just hate the exploitation of consumers and employees. My time is literally priceless. But my employer (or more appropriately... corporate) seems to think it's only worth below livable wages...
/encode how is your time priceless?
all time is priceless.
@@isaaclim3348 think about it, everyone has a limited amount of it and no one knows when theirs will run out
I love your channel. I'm sure it's extremely difficult to stick to it but the content and information you've been producing is fucking amazing and it's really helping me understand the options and reality of pursuing music as a career. Thank you for your help!
Recent subscriber and wanted to say you have great insight and content and I appreciate these
Dave Liebman's Chromatic Book is my favorite music book ever! I can't recommend it enough.
I appreciate that you tell us that getting a day job is the most sane way to go about things. Young people need to know that.
Yes, yes, yes. I've seen musician buddies who eventually decided to go down the pro musician road and damn... they're great, super talented and everything, but always trying to make ends meet.
new subscriber here from philippines. im a bassist too . but now im planning to learn guitar too and sing. because in our country the vocalist are most demand.
Pro tip: Make sure the gig and the side hustle are in the same key
😂
I want a compilation video of every time you have ever said the word bass at the end of your videos! that needs to happen!!
Adam, I'm very grateful of your videos.
Always worrying that because I dropped out of music school and have a job I'll never be a legit musician. I can't practice 8 hours a day (but then I guess the pros don't have that sort of time anyway).
Guess only I can clear that mental hurdle. But seeing more 'successful' musicians than me in the same position reminds me that this a hard time to make money from music.
I wonder how he still has time to edit these vids.
Adam. Yus! Thank you for giving me light
This was a huge revelation for me, THANK YOU.
Can we just take a moment and appreciate THAT INTRO!!!
Can you do a video on getting into the wedding music industry?
adam what do you think about boiling bass strings?
Go al dente; don't overcook. Mushy strings have a crap texture and taste horrid.
But you should really try to follow his advice, and make money to pay for food.
Fabian Sanchez le vale verga
Love your videos man, never give up!!
Fantastic channel with very helpful and entertaining content. Thank you!
Man, I respect artists who can live like this. I gave writing a very serious go back in the eighties/nineties, and finally caved when I couldn't stand the poverty any more.
I can vouch for all of these.
Love the video Adam!
Interesting points here, Adam!
This is very true !
Could you do a video for starting tips as a bass player? I plan on starting to learn to play bass guitar, but I would enjoy some tips for someone who's just starting.
I’m the one with the day job. I am transitioning into the other side (teaching, side hustling) and I feel much better.
As a drummer in 3 different Originals Metal band's the day job was the only option for me for the time being.
how the hell you have time for playing in 3 bands?? and everyday job...
No shame on that bro (or sis). Wise decisions get us far, passion-based decisions usually backfire
@@disapogrom5762 Thankfully they space the shows and practices out so I can do all 3. I also have compositional work too.
Can you talk a bit more about the copyediting job? I'm a pretty versatile musician and can work VERY quickly in Sibelius, and that definitely seems like something I could pick up - how do you get into it and what does it generally entail?
Same here! I'd also like to know where to get started for that. Built up quite some chops with Sibelius over the years as a music teacher and transcriber, but copyediting I still haven't found a way into.
Right again mister! I would add whatever side activity you choose, save time to just play. I love watching your vids. Old dogs can learn too.
Two rules: Be fucking good and well connected. In the music industry of today there is no place for mediocrity and one man shows. And with be fucking good I don't mean well trained music theory guys. I mean creative musicians who can play with feel and confidence. The music theory guys may be the ones who find work outside of the "performance arts" like the mentioned copying or transcriptions gigs, hell even scoring for film and music libraries is a way. But is that what we want as a musician? The situation is hart today and everybody tries to find his place and make a living doing music but there is simply not enough to do in the music industry of today.
How did you get the copyist gig? Always forget that's an option.
ha, dude i found you randomly. Good question, I wish he responded!
haha! That's what we say about farming; I guess I'm well-prepared for that aspect of bass playing. That and the herding sheep part..
do you know anything about how profitable a music tech (like working for a recording studio) job would be? I'm a junior in high school & planning to be a music tech major but I don't know much about the jobs available after college.
Hey Adam, my name is Sumner Hutchinson, a musician and fellow subscriber of yours. I noticed in the video you said you did freelance copy right work. I wonder if you could elaborate on that a little bit more. Is this a freelance position? Thank you for sharing this content which allows creatives such as myself to be more informed
I’m actually bookmarking this for future reference. Applies to other artistic pursuits, too! (Like, you want to be a writer - soooo, wanna moonlight polishing people’s resumes? Surprisingly, there’s money in that! Lucrative, soul-deadening money, helping other people get jobs that pay a zillion dollars…)
Thanks man. I'm going through this process right now, and this was reassuring.
How is it going right now?
Sound advice Adam. Thanks.
Excellent topic Adam
Adam, I was wondering what you think of my plan for making money being a musician: I am getting a box truck and converting it into a tiny house. This lessens expenses considerably (no rent or utilities, just gas and groceries), and allows for more mobility. I will be working welding/metalwork jobs for cash while I build a name/online presence, and then touring full time, as I basically live on a house that can drive. I'm going the box truck route as I plan to also build a fold-out stage onto one side for improptu or rural performances, festivals, or to rent out as I travel.
sounds great. I think the biggest problem for somebody who wants to switch to working as full time musician is keeping running cost (such as mortgage, rent, kids) low. if you are single and have no huge bills to pay you got the best starting point
This' interestingly enough, just summarized the process I am going through now in getting into music as an income source.
I just finished my service in the military three weeks ago and started pursuing my dream of becoming a full time musician. Albeit the rough start, I am currently playing bass in 5 different bands (lead 2 of them and am a side man on the remaining 3), all of which are starting to perform quite regularly in the upcoming month or so. Complementary to that I start teaching next week and will have about 5-7 students at the moment. Definitely am searching for one more 'music related side job' that is a little more stable then the rest.
All of those combined will, hopefully, yield a decent wager for me to work with.
I have Defined a time limit to check up on my progress in this field - if in two months I'm not going to start making somewhat of a steady income, I will indeed get a different full time job and cut down on my music endeavors, for the time being.
I am curious though, are there any tips for anyone getting into the business? Am I even in the right direction?
I'm a very serious, seasoned musician, very versatile in theory, styles, learning by ear/reading/learn on the spot, always prepare charts and written scores of the music, always on time, am quite good in the 'social game' revolving the work... is there anything else I should be focusing on or putting my mind to? Is there a way to slightly speed up my way of starting to work with musicians of "my caliber"?
How are you doing right now in terms of musical career, did it work out?
@@alvarolblanco
Weird getting a message 6 years later, haha.
I'm doing great!
I worked as a session musician in my country, doing a lot of teaching along with studio and live sound. Basically all different kind of music related avenues. Even did copying, arranging and transcriptions for a while. Super varied stuff.
Took me some time to make a career out of it, but it worked out.
Eventually I got tired of being a hired gun, so I went back to study at a jazz school, and I just now moved to New York to study and play jazz here.
As a full time musician which has been the biggest blessing in my life, I have to work part time, teach lessons on top of gigs, rehearse, personal practice, maintain relationships/networking, and choose what gigs are worth my time. All of that is for slightly less money than a public school teacher in my area. If you want a ton of money as a musician, you have to fight for every penny you get while being cool and easy to work with. Even then it is unlikely to get rich doing this, however it beats sitting at a desk to only get asked where all of the TPO reports are.
When you said you had to work part time, was that work music related?
@@alvarolblanco Yep, not up until very recently have I been able to transition from several part time music gigs to more of a composition centered career.
@@gavinglover-composer993 I'm so glad for you! I'm gonna check your channel to listen to you. I'm struggling a lot with starting my own music career, I'm 25, I went to music school, then I studied some plan b thing in case I don't make it into music. I feel my main thing is pop, definately more than jazz. Thank you for your answer
I WALKED STRAING INTO THAT ONE
I look forward to Mondays now.
Busking can earn you more than sidepersoning. It's a different sort of hustle, but hey, the income is possibly more secure.
Martin Krauser busking is good. only things to watch for is homeless people other buskers fucking with your territory. If it's a game nearby you watch for scalpers... they sonically can ur thing... police are cool for the most part. and if you're private property be cool with security or the owner
Great video! Superb superb superb!
Awesome video, got a lot out of it, thanks!
Very good video, thank you. Keep up the good work!
After watching a couple of these videos I think the best ways are ;
1. Write a hit song that atleast 1,000 people are willing to pay for it
2. Get 1M+ subs on TH-cam and advertise
3. Invent or create a product that you can sell to 100’s of musicians
4. Become a producer and have a couple musicians under you
NIce video! Thanks for the tips!
I'm a bass player, to help keep living so I can eat and stuff, I'm currently acting in a 9 show run of a dinner theatre, I DJ Junior A hockey games, I DJ bars (I don't do these often and I'm not a huge fan of it, but it has gotten me groceries and paid rent) I produce music, and as my main money maker that really keeps me living is my day job in radio.
Good videos and good idea to be honest.
Where is that old 1980's popping dancer from? Who is that?
Hi Adam, Love your videos!
Here's a possible subject---
Eliminating feedback in live situations on upright bass. Would love to HERE your thoughts....
Love your shirt
I played that game from 17 to 51 years old. Now I teach and I love it very much....except for the kids that NEVER PRACTICE! . .Auhhhg!!!
Playing in 2 church choirs is fun too.
Hi Adam and thanks for your insightful videos and music! Always looking forward to that notification on my phone screen telling me you've released a new video. So, I've dabbled with some basses over the years (I'd consider myself mostly a guitar player) and even owned some cheap Ibanez 4-string, slowly developing an "okay" finger technique etc. Now, in a past few months I've borrowed my friend's Fender 5-string J-bass for some recording projects of mine and for some reason it has accidentally led me to REALLY liking bass playing. I've been practising all sorts of stuff with it, from prog thingies to traditional dance music, some electronic music, jazz standards etc and everything in between. Now I'm close to buying my first proper bass and thought about asking your opinion on Warwick basses, are they any good? At least I'm seeing a lot of bass players I like using them. The one I'd get a killer deal on is a German made, early 2000s Corvette 5-string with swamp ash body, ovangkol neck and J-style single coil pickups. Thanks for your possible answer, cheers and keep making videos, they are fucking awesome!
Hey Joona, I have a Warwick FNA as a 4-string and I love every aspect about it (looks, weight, playability and sound). So if you have played your Warwick and fell in love with it - and it sells at a decent price - then go buy it. The build quality is made-in-Germany-like and I personally, I love the Warwick growl. You should not buy the bass though only in the assumption that you will love it because your favorite bass players chose them or even endorse them. Always only buy instruments you can check before you buy!
When you realize ur the side hustle
In addition to the day job thing which is the wisest piece of advice I'd say to study something else on the side, like accounting or management or some other thing that you may like but that -unlike music- has better chances of landing you a steady job. This is specially important if you are living in a country/area where the music scene is not as big as say, New York, or Tokyo or London, so pretty much everywhere. Music's still the greatest thing in my life though... but I also like mundane things like eating
I have a question, what's the difference between flatwound and roundwound strings for bass? What are their pros and cons?
the opening line was fuccin epic
Would this apply the same way to those interested in pursuing composition (e.g. composing for media and/or classical ensembles)?
sihplak I'm gonna be a first year for media composition and I feel like pursuing this major just opens up and diversifies your field more. I'm going to SFCM and it's near san mateo where Lucasfilm is and all the video game companies while our program (TAC: Technology and applied composition) has frequent collaborations or interactions with these companies. I'm feeling confident but I am still going to diversify as much as possible. (I compose, play jazz guitar, play cello, bass, sang in choir in high school, give lessons, etc)
Adam, you forgot studio work for commercial purposes, and audiostock (you can even make some serious money on collection of short samples, not to mention music :D )
I thought you were going to say that Dave Liebman texted you. Now THAT would really be something!
Adam do you think TH-cam is or will be the future of music?
It's a good thought that it is just "sane" to have some kind of day job. I think many of musicians think about it like its the end of the world. But actually no. For axample, if you are work as a musician but playing not axactly what you want it can suck "musical power" out of you more easily than a job that is not related to the music at all. And you could do all the creative stuff you like. Yeah, "sane" - it's the best discription.
Exactly. Having a steady job gives one freedom to do exclusively the music one wants to do
There is one more thing you didnt mention: busking. I do it for a 3/4 year now and I get very consistantly about 30€ an hour. I live in Germany though, so I dont know how its in the US. Thats much more than any unqualified dayjob would give and you get to play and practice the stuff you really like. Also I am just starting out. My performance is far from perfect, so I expect to make much more than 30€ an hour in the long run. But it also depends on you Instrument I guess. I am a singer and play guitar. I guess as a bass player its harder, especially as its not allowed to use an amp everywhere.
Your delivery has changed so much lmao
throwback to the Adam Neely that would check his text during his video
This is the fucking bomb! Thanks for putting a lot of great information in such easily edible videos. Subscribed and I'll have you on my ear the rest of this evening ^^
haikus are easy
but sometimes they don't make sense
refrigerator
:)
Great vid 👍
You mentioned it twice in the video, but what does a music "copyist" entail?
Probably taking written pieces and writing them in standard notation
Love how Adam's made a video on making money and worn one of his older t-shirts with a messed up collar
What's the music you use under the talking at the end? Sounds awesome!
got to keep the hustle on.