Why didn't YOU make it big?

[charveldan]

82' to 89' partied my ass off, played out in different states, different girl every nite if wanted.

With 1990' came the reality of raising kids & running a business.

Never wanted to be famous, just have a good time.

 

[shredhead7]

I'm 20... Can't really get myself out there in the bar scene... And all the people who play my type of music are old farts

Not that any of you guys are old or anything <.< >.>

As someone that had the talent, but thought the same way as you at that age, I would highly recommend just start putting Craigslist adds out there and join something. There is no substitute to playing out and playing regularly with other musicians. And for old guys, they have things to teach you if you're willing to listen and you will get exponentially better if you play with musicians better than you (not saying that because they're older they will be better, but maybe more solid-which matters more than technical ability it turns out).

I wasted so much time playing by myself that by the time I did get out there, people would ask me where the hell I came from (because I wood shedded a lot compared to a lot of people). It made me realize that if I would have gotten over my own insecurities (which is really the underlying reason I didn't get out and try) I would have probably gotten a lot more out of it.

 

[Rev]

I'm just waiting for jazz flute to come back around. That's my true calling!

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I'm 20... Can't really get myself out there in the bar scene... And all the people who play my type of music are old farts

Not that any of you guys are old or anything <.< >.>

As someone that had the talent, but thought the same way as you at that age, I would highly recommend just start putting Craigslist adds out there and join something. There is no substitute to playing out and playing regularly with other musicians. And for old guys, they have things to teach you if you're willing to listen and you will get exponentially better if you play with musicians better than you (not saying that because they're older they will be better, but maybe more solid-which matters more than technical ability it turns out).

I wasted so much time playing by myself that by the time I did get out there, people would ask me where the hell I came from (because I wood shedded a lot compared to a lot of people). It made me realize that if I would have gotten over my own insecurities (which is really the underlying reason I didn't get out and try) I would have probably gotten a lot more out of it.

I played in a death metal band in high school, got some extra chops and got live experience, but hated the music and the people in the band
Played in a glam cover band last summer until they found out I was 19 and immediately fired me, again learned some great chops and that's when I was forced to upgrade my gear
Got in another cover band now who are looking away that I'm too young to play bars and are banking on thew fact that they won't card us setting up

So yes, playing is important and I've got myself out there a few times, but I'm spending a majority of time working 2 jobs to get the gear (I grew up broke, never could ask mommy and daddy for a nice guitar that didn't come from a dumpster) so that when I'm 21 I'll have the chops and the gear to find a group of guys to play around Utah and head to Vegas where hopefully I'll get picked up by a bigger group and be their hired gun and such...

And playing live is super fun... I just haven't made it since most people won't return my texts after I tell em I can't quite legally get into a bar... How un rock n roll is that??

 

[stdio]

I'm 20... Can't really get myself out there in the bar scene... And all the people who play my type of music are old farts

Not that any of you guys are old or anything <.< >.>

Yeah we are old... but it is still fun. But try Craigslist and fine some people that like to play the same stuff. Happened to me last year, found a guy that plays guitar way better than me, formed a band that play classic metal like Priest, Maiden, Rush etc and we are out doing local shows now having a blast.
Our drummer is only 25 and the rest of us are in our 40's. Funny cause he really hasn't heard any of the tunes we play
I never thought I would be doing this at my age, playing out again etc. It is a lot of fun, but I don't remember being sore the day after when I was doing it in my 20's.

 

[Drew]

Because we were not good enough.

 

[cardinal]

Because I'm a hack player and even worse song writer.

 

[barnesjd]

Never tried. I always wanted to go to college. Oh, and I can't play very well either... although my rig provides righteous tone for my bad playing.

 

[mixohoytian]

I had a lousy guitar teacher, who taught me to chase tone instead of looking hawt....

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I had a lousy guitar teacher, who taught me to chase tone instead of looking hawt....

 

[Heritage Softail]

I watched a Tom Petty special years ago. He was a flop right up to Damn the Torpedos... Then had another financial meltdown and had to do it all over.

The biz seems savage

 

[JerEvil]

I'm 20... Can't really get myself out there in the bar scene... And all the people who play my type of music are old farts

Not that any of you guys are old or anything <.< >.>

As someone that had the talent, but thought the same way as you at that age, I would highly recommend just start putting Craigslist adds out there and join something. There is no substitute to playing out and playing regularly with other musicians. And for old guys, they have things to teach you if you're willing to listen and you will get exponentially better if you play with musicians better than you (not saying that because they're older they will be better, but maybe more solid-which matters more than technical ability it turns out).

I wasted so much time playing by myself that by the time I did get out there, people would ask me where the hell I came from (because I wood shedded a lot compared to a lot of people). It made me realize that if I would have gotten over my own insecurities (which is really the underlying reason I didn't get out and try) I would have probably gotten a lot more out of it.

I played in a death metal band in high school, got some extra chops and got live experience, but hated the music and the people in the band
Played in a glam cover band last summer until they found out I was 19 and immediately fired me, again learned some great chops and that's when I was forced to upgrade my gear
Got in another cover band now who are looking away that I'm too young to play bars and are banking on thew fact that they won't card us setting up

So yes, playing is important and I've got myself out there a few times, but I'm spending a majority of time working 2 jobs to get the gear (I grew up broke, never could ask mommy and daddy for a nice guitar that didn't come from a dumpster) so that when I'm 21 I'll have the chops and the gear to find a group of guys to play around Utah and head to Vegas where hopefully I'll get picked up by a bigger group and be their hired gun and such...

And playing live is super fun... I just haven't made it since most people won't return my texts after I tell em I can't quite legally get into a bar... How un rock n roll is that??

Give up on Vegas man. Nothing happening here. I play in a band with some well known guys in the metal world and were lucky to make $1000 a show 3 times a year. I have been here 12 years, have good gear and just now I finally got into a band that does corporate events. We make about $375 - $500 each per night which is good money. There are a ton of really good players here, not like LA but plenty to pick from. The scene is VERY close knit and you don't just get in easily. I know guys with more than 10 studio albums out on reputable labels that are gigging in casinos and on Fremont for LESS than what I am earning in my corporate band. Sometimes as low as $150 per night.

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I'm 20... Can't really get myself out there in the bar scene... And all the people who play my type of music are old farts

Not that any of you guys are old or anything <.< >.>

As someone that had the talent, but thought the same way as you at that age, I would highly recommend just start putting Craigslist adds out there and join something. There is no substitute to playing out and playing regularly with other musicians. And for old guys, they have things to teach you if you're willing to listen and you will get exponentially better if you play with musicians better than you (not saying that because they're older they will be better, but maybe more solid-which matters more than technical ability it turns out).

I wasted so much time playing by myself that by the time I did get out there, people would ask me where the hell I came from (because I wood shedded a lot compared to a lot of people). It made me realize that if I would have gotten over my own insecurities (which is really the underlying reason I didn't get out and try) I would have probably gotten a lot more out of it.

I played in a death metal band in high school, got some extra chops and got live experience, but hated the music and the people in the band
Played in a glam cover band last summer until they found out I was 19 and immediately fired me, again learned some great chops and that's when I was forced to upgrade my gear
Got in another cover band now who are looking away that I'm too young to play bars and are banking on thew fact that they won't card us setting up

So yes, playing is important and I've got myself out there a few times, but I'm spending a majority of time working 2 jobs to get the gear (I grew up broke, never could ask mommy and daddy for a nice guitar that didn't come from a dumpster) so that when I'm 21 I'll have the chops and the gear to find a group of guys to play around Utah and head to Vegas where hopefully I'll get picked up by a bigger group and be their hired gun and such...

And playing live is super fun... I just haven't made it since most people won't return my texts after I tell em I can't quite legally get into a bar... How un rock n roll is that??

Give up on Vegas man. Nothing happening here. I play in a band with some well known guys in the metal world and were lucky to make $1000 a show 3 times a year. I have been here 12 years, have good gear and just now I finally got into a band that does corporate events. We make about $375 - $500 each per night which is good money. There are a ton of really good players here, not like LA but plenty to pick from. The scene is VERY close knit and you don't just get in easily. I know guys with more than 10 studio albums out on reputable labels that are gigging in casinos and on Fremont for LESS than what I am earning in my corporate band. Sometimes as low as $150 per night.

I was planning on tour through there since I'm in Utah and try to get seen on a more national level than Salt Lake City, but I would be lying if the thought of eventually heading out there or even more west didn't cross the mind

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Chubtone]

I had a lousy guitar teacher, who taught me to chase tone instead of looking hawt....

Oh man!!!!!!!1 You are killing me. Just think of what I had to work with. A teenager who was obsessed with Slash and Zakk Wylde. At least I snuck some Ronni Le Tekro in there..

PS. You shouldn't talk about Bart Walsh that way.

 

[mixohoytian]

you're forgetting my obsession with:

 

[mixohoytian]

^^^^ if only I had stuck with trying to look hawt like them...instead of practicing the machine gun letekro licks...

 

[Mailman1971]

I chose porn instead.

So did I..... But all them videos and blow up dolls
Got too pricey for my blood.

 

[reverymike]

Still working on it. Opening for Fuel and Daughtry tonight in front of 10,000.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Still working on it. Opening for Fuel and Daughtry tonight in front of 10,000.

That is making it!

 

[VC4Ever]

never tried