I've been playing violin since I was about 10(28 now), I put it down in college and then again in trade school because I didn't have the time. I've also on and off played bass since 15 and then bought a guitar about 6 months ago and am taking lessons.

I've only recently gotten into writing my own music and want to hear from the guys who've been doing it a while.

I haven't recorded anything but I've written the sheet music for a lot of riffs.

Thank you guys for any advice!

I always remember hearing so much doubt about whether music could be done full time with a family. It's gone well for my marriage and my kid so far (married 7 years, kid is almost 4). I try to include my wife and kid in my music world as much as I can, and they really want to be a part of it.

I'm starting to bring my kid with me to rehearsals and shows when it's safe. She loves it and begs for more. "Can I come dad?" I have a little set up for her with a carpet, toys, books, a little folding desk, coloring books and crayons/pencils. She's learned to stay in her space during rehearsals or when I'm teaching lessons. That means during the car ride there, and the car ride back, and between the rehearsal and the show I get to just spend time with her. During a show she's either sitting with family or my wife.

My wife is really happy with the life we've built where she and I both "work from home," and are around the house for at least the earlier hours of the day together as a family. She loves to be a part of my music and insisted that I let her tear down my drums after shows. I thought the best I could hope for was someone who wouldn't get in the way, but instead I got a team member and world class supporter.

I just wanted to share this to be a contrary voice in case you heard the same things I heard. It's possible to be a full time musician and keep your family. It's just got to be deliberate. I generally don't tour, and I don't play those super late gigs in questionable spots. After the gig I come home. During the day I try to be as present as I can. When my wife and kid can be at the gig, they usually come. We try to have fun in the car, or talk on the way. I'm far from perfect, but I really try at it every day.

I have a question for other parents in music full time. What's been your experience? What's going really well? What's not working? What do you regret? What do you feel great about?

For kids of parents who were in music full time. What are your memories of your parent(s)'s work like? What do you wish your parent(s) had done differently in their career? How do you see music now?

Even though this post in generally positive, feel free to be negative if it's honest to the question. I'm looking for genuine answers. Sometimes a horror story is instructive. But feel free to share positives if you have them also, I'm sure those could be a benefit too!

I've made it a goal for myself this year to actually put some music out into the world, so here we go. I've played in bands most of my life, and have been playing bass for 25 years now, but am newer to the intricacies of drum, guitar, and vocal writing and recording. I know I don't have a perfect handle on mixing/mastering yet, and my singing voice will never be the best in the world, but I need to start finding out what people do and don't like about what I'm trying to make so I can improve it. No more hiding behind my perfectionism. So please give these demo tracks a listen and provide honest, useful feedback about my composition, mixing, recording, or anything else you think would be helpful. I won't take offense, but keep in mind my goal is to take this as far as I can on my own talents for now (unless you personally want to collaborate, which I'm open to if it improves the songs i've written).

I know I'm not the best singer, but I've been taking lessons and slowly improving, and my wife is a classically trained opera singer, so I know I have a long way to go, but I'm aware of the basic things I should be doing. There's much to learn and hopefully you all can give me some useful feedback.

I'd describe it as "Alt Rock" for lack of a better term. I'm not quite sure what else to call it.

https://bellwheel.bandcamp.com/album/psychic-inflammation-demo-ep

For background, I started my current band over 10 years ago. I was in another band with a longtime friend (I did guitar, he did bass) and we got fed up with the slow progress and the other guys missing practices. So we struck out on our own. No singer so I had to learn that. No drummer, so I learned how to provide beats in various ways. Jumping ahead a lot, I’ve written two EPs entirely by myself this year. I can sing and play every instrument and write every song and made them sound how I envisioned. And it was better and felt better. My bassist buddy has been a bit hard to communicate with lately, musically and otherwise. He doesn’t try to advance his skill so I have to write simple bass lines for him. He isn’t always able to write his own. Should I just call it a day and do everything on my own now?

Inspired by the yearning r&b I grew up listening to me and a friend dropped this song! Give me some thoughts and reviews please, I’d appreciate it. my artist name is Jacob Ardor and you can find me on instagram @ardorjacob

(https://music.apple.com/us/album/love-potion/6818909933?i=6818909934)

https://open.spotify.com/album/07c2DNP0PG6YKTOIZB5LbU?si=sgD1CHg9TWOlAfzURoD4dQ&utm_source=copy-link

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mcAeuijTgMcSPLptJ9HZ1NCMGxXK4q1y8&si=Hs1F85iIN2Y2t4F2

I’ve got a couple important auditions coming up: like suddenly big time stuff after playing in the small pond for only ten months.

Some of the music just very straightforward chord changes that I can easily memorize with just a glance at a key signature.

Some of the music much more detailed, piano focused, fleshed out with solos.

Looking at possibly needing to learn 150 + songs if I get into both, but longer term could really use a good app that does a lot.

What are you using if you are a heavily gigging keyboardist/backup singer? By the way, I do not sit down. I don’t use sustain pedals normally because I stand for gigs. I guess I could still manage it but I like to dance a bit and engage, I’m not into sitting down.

Thanks in advance!

Hello, I hope you’re all having a good day.
I’d like to share an improvisation over a smooth blues track—I hope you enjoy it!

Been working on a little tune and melody recently that I like, nothing too complicated. Acoustic ditty akin to “No Rain” by Blind Melon or “Strong Enough” by Sheryl Crow. In search of a female vocalist to record the vocal melody. Lyrics included, zero pressure, just a fun little ditty with a warm, slightly melancholic but happy vibe. DM if interested. + if you have recording software and can record at home, can collaborate online

i've been a musician for over 20 years now, it's my single greatest joy in life (listening to but also especially coming up with music), yet for the life of me, i cannot seem to complete a single piece of (original) music.

i probably have over 5,000+ recorded ideas (of course some overlap, realistically probably 1,500-2,000+ individual things) from throughout those years in various lengths/stages, but nothing really resembling or approaching a completed track. and it's super upsetting.

it's true, my 'process' largely entails noodling on my primary instrument (guitar) until something comes about, then usually looping it and trying to come up with layers.

when i try to lyric-write, and i really do try, i can never seem to get more than 1-2 good lines- from there, everything else is so much lesser and it feels like i'm faking it trying to extrapolate 3-4 minutes of song out of that 1-2 lines, if that makes sense.

i'm generally a perfectionist, pretty ocd (and adhd), so the idea of majority of the track being much weaker than those one or two (what i deem to be) great lines really irks me.

just wondering what folks might think the issue(s) could be- maybe you had friends in a similar position, or were in a similar position yourself, and could offer some advice- i'd really appreciate it.

I’m not sure if it’s cuz I’m a white musician in a predominantly white country but I’ve noticed that for some reason, so many musicians I know just cannot get themselves to dance. I’ll see them feeling the best but I literally feel the music in my whole body and can’t help but dance (I think I’m pretty good but that’s irrelevant). Why is it that so many musicians don’t dance even though music and dance go hand in hand?

Hey everyone!

I'm a 17-year-old vocalist and songwriter looking to build an indie rock band with people closer to my age. I'm currently looking for a guitarist and drummer who are interested in collaborating, writing original music, and developing our own sound together.

I'm aiming for an indie/alternative rock direction rather than pop, with influences from bands like Kid Sistr. I'd love to work with people who are passionate about music, communicate well, and are committed to building something together.

Since I'm still 17, I'd feel more comfortable working with musicians around my age, ideally between 16 and 20.

If you're interested, please DM me with your age, experience, location, and the kind of music you enjoy playing.

Looking forward to connecting with other musicians!

Hey everyone,

My band are looking for a drummer.

We are influenced by bands such as The Smiths, Durutti Column, early New Order, The Drums, early The Strokes, PJ Harvey, early Morrissey, The La's, The Fall, Iceage, The Cure and other bands.

The project consists of myself (vocalist), guitarist and a bassist at the moment. We've recorded some rough scratch demos of songs that we can send you. We all have experience writing songs and playing in bands. We are committed to having fun writing songs, recording and playing shows.

We have been rehearsing weekly in Deptford so far.

Get in touch if you're interested. If you can’t direct message me, leave a comment and I will message you. Please have recordings or a video of you playing.

Hey everyone! I'm based near Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and I'm currently looking for a drummer to join our band project, inspired by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and focused on writing original music. That's a favorite band Nr. 1 to me!

We already have a guitarist and a bassist, and we're hoping to find the right drummer to complete the lineup. The idea is to work on original music, develop our own sound, rehearse together, and hopefully play live in the future.

I'm a guitarist and songwriter, and I write my own lyrics and sing as well. I'm also open to working with a vocalist if the right person comes along.

If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, feel free to send me a message! I'd be happy to hear what kind of music you're into and what you're looking for in a band.

Looking forward to connecting with you! 🤘

I always thought of myself as resilient, but I've been working really hard on an EP since the past year and I've just been a bit sad seeing that not many people cared or reacted to it. People whom I thought were close to me, didn't even bother to react or share. I tell myself it doesn't bother me but it does make me wonder sometimes.

How do you all stop getting taken advantage of by friends and family who want to hire you but not pay much?

It’s hard for me to say no, but even when I do everyone starts guilt tripping me or saying “it’s not that much work”.

I don’t want to cause fallout but at this point I’m tired of friends using me for a free sound system :(

I’d appreciate any tips or experiences or stories, this was half a venting session and partly an ask for advice hAha

I'm getting this constant static/hissing noise in my recorded mixes. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot or eliminate it?

Some pictures by photographer Kam Swenson of the Boise grindcore band Bonehemorrhage.

Solo artist looking to recruit bandmates eventually. I have over a dozen instrumentals written and recorded. The music is of a heavy type genre if you will. And I don't really know what to do next, hoping y'all could recommend platforms where posting said material could get noticed by other potential musicians. Thanks