How old is 'too' old to 'make it' ?

Hi Havocdragon and welcome,

To answer your question, if you are 26 you have plenty of opportunity to make it. Then again you will always have opportunity to make it.

However, you will need to better define "make it".

There are many questions you need to ask yourself.

Do you just want to play as your sole means of financial security?
Would you consider teaching? Maybe a part time job too?

The answers to those little questions make a big difference.

Are you willing to treat playing as a job?

It won't be a hobby anymore. You will need to formalize what you do. You need to put aside certain hours every day for writing music, real practice, band practice, PR, calling people, arranging gigs, collecting past due money, negotiating contracts, writing checks for posters, buttons, shirts, arranging travel, booking hotel rooms, etc.

Are you ready to play when you don't want to? don't feel well? are tired? burnt out?

It's not glamorous. Is that what you mean by make it?

But wait there is more.

Are you talking about the music or the money? If you play great music that is loved by many, but can't support yourself solely on the proceeds is that success or failure?

See the problem is defining the question. You'll see this quandry often in business and science and ethics classes and well, everywhere. If you don't know the question, you won't know how to get to the answer. A business wants to grow and be profitable. Is acceptable growth 2% or 20%? Is $10,000 of profit the goal or $1,000,000? Is making it living in a small apartment and driving a used car or do you want a big house and a new car? See what I mean?

So let me help you define the question. Don't call it making it.

Personally I'd call it four things.

What do I love to do?
What am I willing to do to do the thing I love to do?
Where is the balance?
Will I learn to recognize and appreciate what I have when I have it?

Once you know the answers to those four go and do some homework. Get a book from the library on managing a band so you can see what goes on. Talk to people in the business. Do some soul searching.

Then again, maybe you shouldn't ask me because I have already made it.

I teach and work and play out. Sometimes I play in front of 100 or so people. That's a big crowd for me. Sometimes I play in front of 10, a small crowd. I enjoy both equally. I play around campfires, with strangers, with beginners and experts. I play for kids in school and the occassional church service. I met a homeless guy playing on a street corner near where I work. I asked if he minded if I join in. Whenever I find someone to share music with I know I've made it.

I enjoy teaching guitar. When I get a student past a hurdle or they master a new song, I know I've made it.

I also enjoy my work. My co-workers want to know where I'm playing and they show up and support me. When people show up like that you get all warm and fuzzy and you know you've made it.

I have a bunch of the most wonderful and amazing friends. You know I've only met them a dozen times, but I think of them as some of my oldest and dearest friends. I play guitar with them a couple of times every year, wherever they are come hell or high water. Playing with these friends is more important to me than playing in front of a stadium full of people. Yep, once again I made it.

I'm a perpetual beginner guitarist. I always will be. Whenever I learn something new I know I've made it.

Just about anywhere in the world I could email someone and tell them I'm bringing my guitar and I'd not only have a friend to jam with, but probably a place to stay too. Uh-huh, I made it.

I've had a song written about me. I've got a musical nickname. I've got my picture hanging in a basement in Chicago. I've made it baby.

You've probably guessed that for me the most important question is the fourth one. Once you've got that one you really have made it.

And finally, just in case I got you down, remember this from a past newsletter:

There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.

- Dr. Wayne Dyer

Thanks nick, that was a good read and a great deal of things for me to think about now :D . No it didn't get me down at all, in fact I think ALL of what you posted sounds appealing to me. I don't mind having to work for it at all, in fact, I would feel cheated if I didn't!! The only obstacle that lies before me, is simply the path I have to take to get there, and taking that first step on the journey.

Thanks to everyone for your overwhelming support!

Nick

you should hire yourself out as one of those inspirational speaks. Seriously. Your post help me in a situation I am going through too. Has nothing to do with music but something in my life that I seriously want to have.

Thanks a ton for that terrific post

Geoo

That was a great post Nick.

Chuck Berry is a good example of a guitarist who got started late. He was born in 1926 but didn't really have his first hit until 1955, so he was 29. He has certainly made a living from music since that time and is well known as one of the most influencial guitarists ever. He didn't really join a serious group until he was 26.

Chuck Berry

Wes Montgomery did not start playing guitar until the age of 19, which most think is late. He is also known as one of the most influencial guitarists ever.

Alejandro Escovedo did not even start playing guitar until the age of 24, and started writing after 30.

Alejandro Escovedo

So you see, it is all within the individual.

I like what Nick said, you have to ask yourself what "making it" is. And then you must be willing to pay the price. And it is not easy.

I always liked what Ringo Starr sang, it is so very true.

YOU GOTTA PAY YOUR DUES IF YOU WANNA SING THE BLUES, AND YOU KNOW IT DON'T COME EASY

Not trying to discourage you at all. But it is a lot of work, and it doesn't come to you. You have to make it happen for yourself.

But you are still very young and have plenty of time. Get out there. :wink:

Very inspirational post there Nick! And as geoo mentioned, applicable to more than just music.

I'm a perpetual beginner guitarist. I always will be. Whenever I learn something new I know I've made it.

Hear hear! 8)

havoc,
This may be a silly question, but are you in a band and playing gigs at clubs?

"I've had a song written about me. I've got a musical nickname. I've got my picture hanging in a basement in Chicago. I've made it baby"

Have you been lurking in my basement Nick? :oops:

Ha-ha. I have spies everywhere.

I'm sure it's there for John's photography skills, but that would've ruined my point.

8)

BTW, you and John are in that category of wonderful and amazing friends. I'm already looking forward to the next Riverside Jam. Do you want to do a song together? Perhaps John Hiatt?

As long as it's not in a drop tuning. I have a hell of a time getting the guitar back to standard.

Oh yeah, thanks for the Wayne Dyer quote.

Taso,

Not at the moment no. I am pretty much my band at the moment, but I have been considering starting/joining a band in the near future. To be honest after reading this topic a few times today, I feel like im ready to go tearin off into the music world.

I will be 55 next month. I cant believe it.
Ive been rocking all my life.

I just bought a resonator guitar last fall. I am learning fast.

Ive got a gig next weekend. and plan on recording soon.

for me, Im just getting started yet again.

so if music is your passion, like it is for me, then follow it. my life has been rich and full. Ive had good times and horrible times. Ive lived my life the way I wanted to.
so if that is making it, then I have.

This I think would be the definition of 'making it.'

Never stop rocking dogbite, and I ain't just talking about the genre of 'rock.' :)

havoc,

Thats your best bet to making a career out of your music. You sound like a talented musician, get together with some other talanted musicians and play some bars and clubs. Get your name out there!

I have nothing to add to this discussion, but I want commend Nick on a great, great post. Thanks.

Steve

Thank you all for the compliments. I've never been inspirational before. :oops:

Glad to be of service.

Your never too old. The best guitarists(2 of them) i've ever seen are both over 40. One guy is an incredible blues guitarist who has been doing it forever and used to do it profressionally and did some intense touring when he was younger and did really well. Now hes settled down and holds a nice upper managment job but still plays every weekened somewhere. THe other is the CEO of a cable company and is wealthy beyond reason(he has hundreds of guitars in a huge house on the lake(not his only house but the only one i've been to)) but he still plays around town all the time with a jazz trio. The second one was wealthy before he really started taking music seriously but the first one did survive 15 years on only music and could have longer but he finally had a family and settled down. So I guess the moral could be if you try and put everything you have into a career in music you could be a fantastic sucess or if it just isn't going to happen life is long and you can still be successful in other areas after.

(and i am only 18 8) )

Rahul

That won't last forever buddy. :)

And i don't want it to.I want to grow up ...REALLY :P