Is Playing Bass Your Hobby or Profession?

[kevmove02]

Because I was snowbound this weekend, I decided to rearrange my home studio. In the process, I uncovered an envelope full of receipts for music related purchases I have made. As I went through the envelope, I realized 2 things: I first started this pursuit back in March 2007; second, I have spent a ton of money on a "hobby". I wondered to myself, "what qualifies as a hobby, and at what point does your hobby actually rise to the level of profession?"

I hope to hear from some of you on this subject. Here are some starter questions to help guide the discussion:

Do you have to be paid in order to be considered a professional?
Is there a level of competence (such as site reading, playing by ear, modal theory, mastery of a genre, etc) that must be achieved before being accepted as a professional?
Does spending a lot of money on instruments and accessories make you more or less a professional?
Spending a certain amount of hours per week devoted to performing for pay?

I hadn't really considered this subject until I notice that I was getting more request for assistance in song arranging and use of music programs such as Ableton Live and Reason. Most recently, I was asked what I would charge to help wtih production. Yet I wouldn't say to anyone," I am a professional"

Thoughts?

[dhagler]

We kinda touched on the subject being a professional bass player earlier:

http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,71545.0.html

For me, I would say that playing bass is a hobby for which I occasionally receive compensation. Still not ready to call myself a professional bass player.

[malthumb]

We kinda touched on the subject being a professional bass player earlier:

http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,71545.0.html

For me, I would say that playing bass is a hobby for which I occasionally receive compensation. Still not ready to call myself a professional bass player.

This

[kevmove02]

So if you consider yourself a hobbyist, what activities do you participate in that are similar to hobbyist in other areas of interest? Are you part of a user group that meet regularly to share knowledge and unique discovery. Do you subscribe to a magazine aimed at the nonprofessional? Do you go to trade shows or conventions to learn about the new directions in your area of interest? Just to make it interesting, don't use websites as your answer to all these questions.

[dhagler]

So if you consider yourself a hobbyist, what activities do you participate in that are similar to hobbyist in other areas of interest? Are you part of a user group that meet regularly to share knowledge and unique discovery. Do you subscribe to a magazine aimed at the nonprofessional? Do you go to trade shows or conventions to learn about the new directions in your area of interest? Just to make it interesting, don't use websites as your answer to all these questions.

Bass is my only hobby, and I do visit and contribute to this site on a regular basis. I do not subscribe to any magazines at this time, nor do I attend trade shows or conventions. I do, however, frequent music stores for hours at a time, playing different instruments and hanging out with other musicians. If I could find a group of musicians with whom I could shed regularly, I would include that in my activities.

[Kevykev388]

I sort of straddle the fence on this subject. Playing bass for me is more of a hobby but then again I do help other groups and choirs out in church from time to time. Plus whenever I'm recording I do my own bass parts. In a nut shell, I don't consider myself an actual "bass player". Just a keyboard player and drummer who knows how to play bass

[malthumb]

So if you consider yourself a hobbyist, what activities do you participate in that are similar to hobbyist in other areas of interest? Are you part of a user group that meet regularly to share knowledge and unique discovery. Do you subscribe to a magazine aimed at the nonprofessional? Do you go to trade shows or conventions to learn about the new directions in your area of interest? Just to make it interesting, don't use websites as your answer to all these questions.

I also have tennis as a hobby.  I belong to a tennis club and subscribe to USTA magazine

I have golf as a hobby and I have (but do not at this moment) belonged to various golf leagues and spent lots of time at area driving ranges and equipment trials

I have writing as a hobby.  Been on sort of a hiatus lately, but I am now looking to make the switch from purely fictional writing to more of a journalistic leaning in my particular field of expertise (ie - preparing for life after GM).  I am a member of the Society of Automotive Analysts and have as a goal in 2010 to get articles published.  So I guess eventually this will migrate from hobby to profession.

Peace,

James

[kevmove02]

Wow. great responses. As I pondered this question myself, I realized that some of my hobbies have either fallen by the wayside (video game collector) or died out completely (sports of any kind). When I thought about why, it mostly came down to not enough time to do anything meaningful or not having enough money to do both. I'm sure that as I need less time on the technical aspect of playing an instrument, I will have more time to pursue my other interests. The challenge will be whether I am okay with just knowing enough to get by. Normally, I won't ease up until I have a firm grasp of the theory and the ability to apply it competently, so i don't know how much time I will really be able to spend on anything else.

I just happen to teach a couple of classes a week focus on biblical studies. I am currently teaching Hermeneutics and the Book of Galatians. Should I consider this my hobby or my calling?

[superjaay]

Bass playing is definitely a hobby for me. As with other hobbies I have taken up in the past I have a mild case of obsession to learn as much as possible in the shortest time. The money I have spent in the last 8-9 months is a whole other issue. I have been able to successfully put spending on most other hobbies (motorcycling, fishing, travel, etc) on hold except for golf ($greens fees$)....I don't ever want playing bass to become a profession for me. For me, that would take the fun out of it. I play because I like to, and I plan to keep it that way. Although if anyone knows how get tax write-offs for all the money I'm spending on gear please let me know!!!

[Wesley16]

For the past year of teaching myself how to play my 4-string fender jazz, and with help from you guys re-
sponding to all my questions that I have, bass playing for the moment is a hobby for me. God has bless me
to place me in a position to play on Sunday's with more experience musicians. Working 54-57 hours a week,
five day's a week( blessed, ), my practice time is only about 1-2 hrs. a day at most. I have a strong passion
for learning as much as can with the time that I have to learn. The only other hobby that I have is bowling in
one league, with a 203 avg. after 5 yrs. I'm just looking forward to moving up to intermediate level bass play-
ing.

[ddwilkins]

My playing is considered a second profession for me. My problem is getting people to understand that I take my playing seriously. If I'm going to spending time away from my family, whether is playing at the church, churches, artist, or what have you, I need some compensation. If not, you won't get my services. I've played for free for many years, but in 2010 and so on, I'm no longer going to do this. I'm going through this right now with my church and the pastor's wife now being an artist since she released her first album. So, if I'm on bass or keys, its my secondary profession.

[Kevykev388]

My playing is considered a second profession for me. My problem is getting people to understand that I take my playing seriously. If I'm going to spending time away from my family, whether is playing at the church, churches, artist, or what have you, I need some compensation. If not, you won't get my services. I've played for free for many years, but in 2010 and so on, I'm no longer going to do this. I'm going through this right now with my church and the pastor's wife now being an artist since she released her first album. So, if I'm on bass or keys, its my secondary profession.

AMEN Bishop!!! People really don't understand musicians who play for a living or secondary living! I primarily play keys and and drums. And like you said....solo artists, groups, and other choirs tend not to understand that I have to get off work early, leave my wife and son behind, skip laundry, skip cuttin grass, miss holidays with the family and so on I need to be paid. It's in the bible...Im not sure where but I read it before lol! Anyway, playing bass hasn't become a profession for me just yet only because I am still very limited to what I can do on it.

[SavnBass]

As much as it means to me I'd have to say it is a hobby... I do not get paid for it...and therefore I cant call it a profession.. my only other hobby that I spend any time & money on is my flight simming.. and I am part of an online group of 16+ men aged from 40-69 who participate in this hobby on a regular basis with hundreds of others from all over the world.. I dont have the time like I used to for that though as the music is very special to me... it is a hobby.. but it is more than a hobby.. if that makes sense.. but at the moment I cannot call it even a secondary profession as like I said I do not get any compnesation.. and in my mind.. a profession.. even a secondary one means that there is some income involved.

[Sadowsky1]

For me for tax purposes it is a hobby. It allows me to write off some of my stuff as long as I don't exceed a certain dollar amount of recorded compensation. The people I work with and around say I am a semi pro because it is not my full-time job.

[kevmove02]

Here in the Philly area, we are probably getting 2 days off because of an incoming blizzard. Of those who live in this area, how much of your free time will be spent playing bass and what will you work on?

[blacklw234]

My playing is considered a second profession for me. My problem is getting people to understand that I take my playing seriously. If I'm going to spending time away from my family, whether is playing at the church, churches, artist, or what have you, I need some compensation. If not, you won't get my services. I've played for free for many years, but in 2010 and so on, I'm no longer going to do this. I'm going through this right now with my church and the pastor's wife now being an artist since she released her first album. So, if I'm on bass or keys, its my secondary profession.

I got to get paid. No question about it. Definitely when you spending countless hours away from wife and kids. I thank God I have a church that understands that and understands the importance of good music. If you want people to come, better have good music. Not that its all about music, but if you are looking to grow, the quickest way to do that is have a bad band!!!! My pastor understands that, he has been there for 3 years now and the church has went from 300 members to approximately 550 members. With about 250 showing every Sunday. He knew that he must have a good band. I thank God he gave me the opportunity to be a part of it and get compensated.

[ddwilkins]

I got to get paid. No question about it. Definitely when you spending countless hours away from wife and kids. I thank God I have a church that understands that and understands the importance of good music. If you want people to come, better have good music. Not that its all about music, but if you are looking to grow, the quickest way to do that is have a bad band!!!! My pastor understands that, he has been there for 3 years now and the church has went from 300 members to approximately 550 members. With about 250 showing every Sunday. He knew that he must have a good band. I thank God he gave me the opportunity to be a part of it and get compensated.

That's the key point. We are often spending time away from them when we are in the same house but in different rooms. With my newborn who is 9 weeks old having to have surgery 4 days after birth and seeing the condition he was in, nothing or noone is going to take time away from us especially for free. I at least want to bring something home for him, my other son and my wife. I see why musicians leave the church and play elsewhere.

[arthur59]

That's the key point. We are often spending time away from them when we are in the same house but in different rooms. With my newborn who is 9 weeks old having to have surgery 4 days after birth and seeing the condition he was in, nothing or noone is going to take time away from us especially for free. I at least want to bring something home for him, my other son and my wife. I see why musicians leave the church and play elsewhere.

       

                                  AND THAT'S THE TRUTH!!!!

[mjl422]

It's not my profession but, I don't consider it a hobby either (not tryna be deep or anything). 

For me, all of my hobbies have been something that I could put down when I didn't enjoy it anymore and pick it back up whenever I felt like it.  Music is one of my ministries that keeps calling me (even when I get frustrated or am not playing for anybody at the time).  I think about it (particularly playing bass) from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep.  I feel like there's something missing when I don't have the opportunity to play or practice.

I've never devoted this much time and money to a hobby.

[BPforChrist]

This is an easy one for me ... I had a day job before I ever began to devote so much time to learning to play bass ... I know that I'm a pro at my day job, I can confidently say that to anyone, my colleagues and clients see me as a pro ... I love this hobby though and if I was a pro bass player, the love of it might be more important than any money I received from playing ... some churches I've played at had a policy of paying, I've spent very little of that money over the years ... some needed me to play and could not or would not offer payment ... I'm a bass player for Christ and I thank Him everyday for my day job ... and I thank Him for the opportunity to work (did I say work? play!) in his vineyard on any Sunday that I can ...