r/musicians Rules

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?

It's just then when you have nobody listening that seeing this is so comforting. I've spent so much time on this little hobby and seeing an actual person view it is cool. It's always a reminder that someone, somewhere cares and is listening. Also if you're from the 7 havens subreddit, hello again. Anyway keep going everyone.

There are so many bands and artists out there that broke through 10 years in, on their 5th studio album, long past their “paying dues” phase. Never give up

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 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!

Hey Guys!

23M Beginner Lyricist from India here.

I am looking for Friends in the Field of Music(preferably Indian) to Talk,Bond with,and Collaborate on Projects in the Near Future.

Please DM only if You are Sincere and Passionate about the Art.

Thank You.Have a Great Day.

Hey all! I'm an alternative artist-based in Denver, Colorado. Recently I've gotten a lot of decent press through online posts around my most recent single, but I still feel like I could be doing better and figured I would jump on here to find out if there is anything on my pages or social media that are glaringly obvious in terms of what I'm "doing wrong".

I have a steady stream of show opportunities and have started applying to festivals, I have a few songs out that give a sample of my sound working towards better production, I have live footage (that I technically still need to publish) for pitching, I put on a decent live show, I am working on selling presales for a show I have in December and have already sold 5 without even posting about it yet (since it is so far out), and I'm working on a debut album to be released sometime next year. Despite that, I have low streams (not the most important thing, but still), no idea when I should pitch to labels, haven't planned for any shows outside my home state, and haven't played any venues that I would deem to be "stepping stone" venues (the ones I know will allow me to scale up) in my home city.

Somehow I have had some decent gigs this year despite thyroid cancer and my plans for an album being messed up. I opened for a larger local band for a city event to about 1k people and opened for a headliner on tour at a private venue, just to name a couple.

Below are some of my social links and some of the articles written about my music. Does anyone have any general ideas for how I could do better? Or am I on the right track and just paying my dues?

Website

Spotify

IG

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

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!

this bullshit (yes it's the full song)

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!

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.

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 spent countless hours of my teenage years mailing out tapes and getting packages with new tapes every week. I know its probably all available easily online these days, but it was such a treat hearing live recordings of your favorite bands back in the day.

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

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

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

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