Do you guys just play the drums as a hobby, or do any of you make a living out of it? If so what do you do and what ways are there to make money playing the drums?
Making money with drumming?
#4
Poco Askew 
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Posted 18 February 2012 - 07:16 AM
I'm no pro, but it comes down to gigging, teaching and recording (session work).
. You'll never know if you like it until you pull down your pants and take a slide on the ice.
#5
FourPieceMetal
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Posted 18 February 2012 - 07:58 AM
Alot of drummers mention recording. Do they mean a home with their wn microphones, mixers and such? Or do they go to a professional recording studio? If it's the latter, how much does that usually cost? I'd imagine, even a crap recording studio costs a couple hundred to use. . . 
Favorite Made-Up Quote: You can say something a thousand times, but that doesn't mean it's written in stone.
The Lesson: Don't believe everything you hear from somebody, especially when their conduct disproves it.
The Lesson: Don't believe everything you hear from somebody, especially when their conduct disproves it.
#6
AN0NYM0US
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Posted 18 February 2012 - 08:45 AM
FourPieceMetal, on 18 February 2012 - 07:58 AM, said:
Alot of drummers mention recording. Do they mean a home with their wn microphones, mixers and such? Or do they go to a professional recording studio? If it's the latter, how much does that usually cost? I'd imagine, even a crap recording studio costs a couple hundred to use. . .
recording studios, but not for you to record yourself, for bands/recording artists who hire musicians for their recordings hence the terms studio drummer or session drummer
#7
hellacool
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Posted 18 February 2012 - 08:57 AM
I'm just going to throw it out there, session work is not something you just want to jump into, you should know how to sight read well, and be very solid, because if you're not the engineer will never call you again.
my Youtube, check it out.
youtube.com/user/JPeaseDrums
youtube.com/user/JPeaseDrums
#10
FourPieceMetal
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Posted 18 February 2012 - 08:51 PM
IDK. I mean from what I hear, recording studio work allows you to use a metronome, and it's really just improv. You just play what fits well into the music, and as long as you got a metronome, you got your time keeping. Don't get me wrong, you can be off time even with a metronome playing in your ears, but, it certainly helps. So I don't know why I'd need to know sight-reading, and incredible chops. I'd just use a metronome, and improvise, unless the band REALY wanted me to play to a set drum track. And, even then, I probably wouldn't wind up playing 100% true to the sheet music. :/
Favorite Made-Up Quote: You can say something a thousand times, but that doesn't mean it's written in stone.
The Lesson: Don't believe everything you hear from somebody, especially when their conduct disproves it.
The Lesson: Don't believe everything you hear from somebody, especially when their conduct disproves it.
#11
realscotch
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Posted 18 February 2012 - 10:49 PM
There are a lot of ways to make money playing the drums.
If you want to do it to the exclusion of everything else, well, that's a different story.
When I started, back in the 60's, there were a lot of places to play. As I've said before, in my hometown back then there were probably 20 clubs. Now the might be 5.
Some of what I read in posts about 10-15 bands playing in 1 place where each band gets X amount of time and then it's the next band up on stage, I never had to deal with that. We had battles of the bands, and sometimes, battles of the drummers, but they were usually held in auditoriums or church halls, with both bands set up on opposite sides of the hall.
Nowadays, it's a different ballgame. I don't think there are as many gigs for session drummers as there was 40 years ago.
Teaching is good, but you don't really know from week to week how many students you will have. So if you teach, in all liklihood, your income will fluctuate, maybe a lot.
There are people here that have a great deal of knowledge of music, I'm not counting Jared because he is already set with his business. Guys like Aaron, Andy, Poco (though I know that Poco isn't out to make a living from being a drummer) Hellacool, Donna, and a few others.
The knowledge is a good thing to have, but, in reality, it doesn't guarantee too much, as proven by the fact that there are people out there making millions that can't read a note.
I have always said that I was real lucky in making a living playing drums, and being able to retire and live reasonably comfortable.
As I've said before, I have passed too many really good to great musicians, a lot of them better than 90% of the ones making all the bucks.
Get the knowledge, be good at what you do, and, above all else, hope that you have luck on your side.
If you want to do it to the exclusion of everything else, well, that's a different story.
When I started, back in the 60's, there were a lot of places to play. As I've said before, in my hometown back then there were probably 20 clubs. Now the might be 5.
Some of what I read in posts about 10-15 bands playing in 1 place where each band gets X amount of time and then it's the next band up on stage, I never had to deal with that. We had battles of the bands, and sometimes, battles of the drummers, but they were usually held in auditoriums or church halls, with both bands set up on opposite sides of the hall.
Nowadays, it's a different ballgame. I don't think there are as many gigs for session drummers as there was 40 years ago.
Teaching is good, but you don't really know from week to week how many students you will have. So if you teach, in all liklihood, your income will fluctuate, maybe a lot.
There are people here that have a great deal of knowledge of music, I'm not counting Jared because he is already set with his business. Guys like Aaron, Andy, Poco (though I know that Poco isn't out to make a living from being a drummer) Hellacool, Donna, and a few others.
The knowledge is a good thing to have, but, in reality, it doesn't guarantee too much, as proven by the fact that there are people out there making millions that can't read a note.
I have always said that I was real lucky in making a living playing drums, and being able to retire and live reasonably comfortable.
As I've said before, I have passed too many really good to great musicians, a lot of them better than 90% of the ones making all the bucks.
Get the knowledge, be good at what you do, and, above all else, hope that you have luck on your side.
realscotch aka drummer 1910
#12
AN0NYM0US
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Posted 19 February 2012 - 08:07 AM
FourPieceMetal, on 18 February 2012 - 08:51 PM, said:
IDK. I mean from what I hear, recording studio work allows you to use a metronome, and it's really just improv. You just play what fits well into the music, and as long as you got a metronome, you got your time keeping. Don't get me wrong, you can be off time even with a metronome playing in your ears, but, it certainly helps. So I don't know why I'd need to know sight-reading, and incredible chops. I'd just use a metronome, and improvise, unless the band REALY wanted me to play to a set drum track. And, even then, I probably wouldn't wind up playing 100% true to the sheet music. :/
session work isnt playing the same thing every time and it isnt just improv. you have to play songs written by other people and play it the way they want it. you should be proficient in many different styles and genres, so youre going to need chops
#13
dacg1995
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Posted 19 February 2012 - 04:22 PM
i'm a still 16 and i play just for hobby and don't plan on living on drumming, but if in the future i can make some bucks playing that wouldn't be half bad 
This post has been edited by dacg1995: 19 February 2012 - 04:22 PM
#14
AndyC
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 12:30 PM
Read this. Brilliant inteview with a great session drummer. http://www.mikedolbe...hive&txtSearch=
Andy
Andy
"You can practice 12 hours a day, and become the Fastest Drummer in the World, but it's not a race." - The Late Great Kenny Clare.
#16
AndyC
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Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:36 AM
Another excelent, busy session drummer. Ralph Salmins.
Good diary starts here:- http://www.musicrada...rs-diary-510875
Here is an excellent example of a typical session chart:- http://www.musicrada...-diary-510875/4
Note:- "We played a run-through and then made about four takes." One run through, and with the cost of studio time, musicians etc, you REALLY don't want to be the one making have to do another!
Also note:- "All to click of course." But of course, the latin part has to groove, and the swing part has to swing as if there is no click.
Andy
Good diary starts here:- http://www.musicrada...rs-diary-510875
Here is an excellent example of a typical session chart:- http://www.musicrada...-diary-510875/4
Note:- "We played a run-through and then made about four takes." One run through, and with the cost of studio time, musicians etc, you REALLY don't want to be the one making have to do another!
Also note:- "All to click of course." But of course, the latin part has to groove, and the swing part has to swing as if there is no click.
Andy
"You can practice 12 hours a day, and become the Fastest Drummer in the World, but it's not a race." - The Late Great Kenny Clare.
#18
pearlvx96
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 08:29 AM
FourPieceMetal, on 18 February 2012 - 07:58 AM, said:
Alot of drummers mention recording. Do they mean a home with their wn microphones, mixers and such? Or do they go to a professional recording studio? If it's the latter, how much does that usually cost? I'd imagine, even a crap recording studio costs a couple hundred to use. . .
They're not cheap, but a couple of studios by me that I've looked into have some pretty good deals for 6 or 12 hours of time. It's especially more affordable if you're splitting the cost between your band.
#19
FourPieceMetal
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 09:21 AM
Honestly, drumming is a hobby. I drum, play bass, and in my spare time I'm a bit of a writer. Do I enjoy doing all these things? Yes. Do I think it'd be cool to make money off of these hobbies? Yes. Do I EXPECT to? No.
Hobbies are hobbies. it's very rare to get famous off of a hobby. A hobby is a fun activity anyone can do. So the only way people get famous and make money through doing a thing anyone can do, is if they are exceptionally good at it. they need to bring something to the world of their hobby that isn't common, or better yet, never seen. If you're an average drummer, you're (unfortunately) a long way from getting famous. If you're an average bassist youre a long way from getting famous. If youre an average ANYTHING, you likely will not make too much money, that is if you make any at all, or get famous. But, that doesn't mean you should stop playing around with your hobbies, just cuz you wont make money. The bottom line is: If you're drumming because you enjoy it, and you wanna get better at it, and SEE if money and gigs follow, then you should continue drumming. If you're drumming because you (think you) have natural talent at it, and you just want to make millions of dollars and tour the world with a platinum record band. . . forget it.
Hobbies are hobbies. it's very rare to get famous off of a hobby. A hobby is a fun activity anyone can do. So the only way people get famous and make money through doing a thing anyone can do, is if they are exceptionally good at it. they need to bring something to the world of their hobby that isn't common, or better yet, never seen. If you're an average drummer, you're (unfortunately) a long way from getting famous. If you're an average bassist youre a long way from getting famous. If youre an average ANYTHING, you likely will not make too much money, that is if you make any at all, or get famous. But, that doesn't mean you should stop playing around with your hobbies, just cuz you wont make money. The bottom line is: If you're drumming because you enjoy it, and you wanna get better at it, and SEE if money and gigs follow, then you should continue drumming. If you're drumming because you (think you) have natural talent at it, and you just want to make millions of dollars and tour the world with a platinum record band. . . forget it.
Favorite Made-Up Quote: You can say something a thousand times, but that doesn't mean it's written in stone.
The Lesson: Don't believe everything you hear from somebody, especially when their conduct disproves it.
The Lesson: Don't believe everything you hear from somebody, especially when their conduct disproves it.
#20
einarabelc5
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Posted 04 March 2012 - 10:08 AM
FourPieceMetal, on 04 March 2012 - 09:21 AM, said:
Honestly, drumming is a hobby. I drum, play bass, and in my spare time I'm a bit of a writer. Do I enjoy doing all these things? Yes. Do I think it'd be cool to make money off of these hobbies? Yes. Do I EXPECT to? No.
Hobbies are hobbies. it's very rare to get famous off of a hobby. A hobby is a fun activity anyone can do. So the only way people get famous and make money through doing a thing anyone can do, is if they are exceptionally good at it. they need to bring something to the world of their hobby that isn't common, or better yet, never seen. If you're an average drummer, you're (unfortunately) a long way from getting famous. If you're an average bassist youre a long way from getting famous. If youre an average ANYTHING, you likely will not make too much money, that is if you make any at all, or get famous. But, that doesn't mean you should stop playing around with your hobbies, just cuz you wont make money. The bottom line is: If you're drumming because you enjoy it, and you wanna get better at it, and SEE if money and gigs follow, then you should continue drumming. If you're drumming because you (think you) have natural talent at it, and you just want to make millions of dollars and tour the world with a platinum record band. . . forget it.
Hobbies are hobbies. it's very rare to get famous off of a hobby. A hobby is a fun activity anyone can do. So the only way people get famous and make money through doing a thing anyone can do, is if they are exceptionally good at it. they need to bring something to the world of their hobby that isn't common, or better yet, never seen. If you're an average drummer, you're (unfortunately) a long way from getting famous. If you're an average bassist youre a long way from getting famous. If youre an average ANYTHING, you likely will not make too much money, that is if you make any at all, or get famous. But, that doesn't mean you should stop playing around with your hobbies, just cuz you wont make money. The bottom line is: If you're drumming because you enjoy it, and you wanna get better at it, and SEE if money and gigs follow, then you should continue drumming. If you're drumming because you (think you) have natural talent at it, and you just want to make millions of dollars and tour the world with a platinum record band. . . forget it.
At least what behavioral experts say is that Your skill level has to do more with the time you put into it (7 to 8 hours a day average) than anything else. Also the time that you start doing it. That's the main difference between a professional and a hobbyist.
Examples I can think of are Mike Mangini and Steve Vai. Talent will take you only so far. Also, why base a decision in something so ethereal?
This post has been edited by einarabelc5: 04 March 2012 - 01:44 PM
