I'm saying "have a good time with your music, but have a backup plan."

One of the best guitarists I know has no intention of ever turning professional - he loves music, he loves to be in bands, he loves to play in front of people, but he's got a wife and three kids that he wants to spend his time with and a job he really loves too. So as long as he can play out on the weekends, and still be at home with the family he's happy.

Is that right for all of us? Hell no. I hope for my four string to pay my bills some day soon, but I'm not ruling out anything. Especially considering that the money comes slowly at first - you might have to split $100 four ways for a band's first gig.

So if you want to be a pro, go for it. Just remember that you won't succede immediately (if at all), it'll take a lot of hard work, and that you'll have to survive in the meantime, and that means a day job.

[Edited by Raskolnikov on 04-12-2002 at 05:45 PM]