Time Management

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 9 Oct 2007 9:40 am

This may be in the wrong place. It also may be an excercise in futility. But it's worth a try.
I got serious about non pedal steel about 3 years ago. I practiced every spare minute. I went to every jam I could. I played some free and some other very low paying gigs. Now I'm at the threshold. Some good people are interested in me working at some decent gigs and on some for sale recordings. Yay me.
But I'm totally stressed out and exhausted from my 3 years of strenuous effort. I'm going to need to take a break. And I'm going to need to come back with a concise plan for manageing my time. What will be the criteria for accepting or rejecting events and projects, etc. I'm at a loss. Anybody have any ideas?

admin · Post by **b0b** » 9 Oct 2007 9:56 am

My criteria is whether the gig is enjoyable enough to spend the time. Does it feel like work or play? I'd always rather play than work.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 9 Oct 2007 10:00 am

Hey Ed, this will be a personal choice that only you can make. It's a lot like religion; it has to be a personal choice and commitment within your mind, not what someone else talks you into.

You probably already know what type of music you are drawn to just by your natural mind set. My suggestion would be to take your brain emptying break; then, get back into it and steer yourself in the direction that your inner instinct guides you to.

If it’s traditional country, then that’s where you will survive the longest “mentally”. If it’s jazz, you will know it by what you feel when you sit down and play it and so on.

It’s going to have to be your personal choice, not someone else’s persistent persuasion.

Michael Papenburg · Post by **Michael Papenburg** » 9 Oct 2007 10:36 am

I would first ask yourself if you like the music. If you do, then you are halfway there. Then ask yourself if the pay is good enough for what you get out of it. If the band is great and the songs are inspiring I'll take a low paying gig. If not, I'll pass unless the pay is particularly good. It's a bonus if I love the music and the pay is great.

I understand how you feel about needing to take a break after all your hard work. You might consider, though, that you don't have accept every possible gig or jam now that you've made enough progress to feel comfortable. In essence, you'll be taking a sort of break by not spending every waking minute on your playing. I feel that you really have to practice on a semi-regular basis with lap steel because it's so difficult to play. You really don't have to run yourself ragged, though, so I just practice the art of saying "no" on occasion.

My .02¢

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 9 Oct 2007 11:08 am

The old joke: How do get a jazz musician to complain? Give him a gig.

Seriously, it should be something you enjoy doing. There's no book written on what to do and not do, just go with you can handle. Personally, I'd rather be gigging six nights a week than what I'm doing now.

Joe Stoebenau · Post by **Joe Stoebenau** » 9 Oct 2007 12:01 pm

Hi Ed,
If this is your hobby, then the critera is to have fun first and money second. Don't take the gig if you don't like the guys or music or even think it will be drag. You'll have to do all of that though if this is your primary source of income. I've been there. Now I have a job I really like so I only play the gigs or go to the jams that I really want to spend the time at.

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 9 Oct 2007 12:24 pm

You have been getting some good input here. I haven't seen a thing I disagree with.

When I retired from 30 yrs. in a factory environment as a Quality Assurance Tech. from Cummins Engine Co. 20 yrs. ago.---I said if it ain't fun, I ain't doing it.

We just played a gig last evening at a retirement center. There was dancing and all. Then today again we played at a Senior Center. We were well received both places and we had fun and the people had fun.

We are pretty tired now though.

One place paid, and the other we donated our time.

Beings we don't do this for a living, we feel we are well paid if we can just bring some happiness to some people in our age groups lives.

There are people in these places who are craving to hear the old classics.

Our youngest band member is 68 I'm 70, two are 76, and one is 86. We are called "The Sounds Of Yesterday"

We play the old classic country, gospel, and even some Hawaiian, and bluegrass. Quit a unique combination, but we get all the gigs we want to play.
and we are having fun.

Kevin Bullat · Post by **Kevin Bullat** » 9 Oct 2007 6:47 pm

It's like making love I guess.

I'd rather do it because I'm enjoying it and not because I'm getting paid.

(alright, maybe that wasn't the best analogy)

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 10 Oct 2007 8:29 am

Thanks everybody. I do have a full time job. But music is too much fun and excitement for me to degrade it by calling it a hobby. If I'd found my instrument and brand of music (traditional jazz) at an earlier time in my life I may never have gotten a job. Or maybe the stresses of exclusively doing music for one's living (including travelling) wouldn't have been for me.
I am going to lay off for awhile before rereading y'all's comments. Then I'll come back at a slower pace. Thanks again.

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 10 Oct 2007 8:35 am

Charlie Christian is reputed to have walked out on a jam session during his tenure with Benny Goodman. When someone asked why, his reply was roughly:"I don't take my guitar out of the case unless I'm making money, learning something, or having a good time." Those rules make it easier to resolve a few time conflicts.

KP